MANGELSDORF FAMILY – Charles, Herbert and Leslie

MANGELSDORF, Charles August (22.09.1874-11.09.1962)

MANGELSDORF, Herbert Charles (24.09.1913-19.10.2014)

MANGELSDORF, Leslie John (1915- 06.12.2001)

The Mangelsdorf Family were outstanding sportsmen prominent in lawn bowls, billiards, snooker and tennis.  Charles was a businessman who had a garage in Cronulla and later established a billiard saloon.  Herb and Les excelled in their chosen sports and and later as coaches. They were Patrons of the NSW Billiards and Snooker Association.  The family tradition has been continued by Les’ granddaughter Tracey Mahoney-Smith.

 Charles (aka Carl) August Mangelsdorf was born in Upper Wakefield, South Australia, 0n 22 September, 1874, the son of John Frederick Mangelsdorf and his wife, Johanna Christina Marie, nee Kiel.  In 1907, Charles (Carl) married Selina Matilda Koenig, born about 1880 in Horsham,Victoria, the daughter of John (Johan) Christian Koenig  and his wife, Louisa nee Schmidt (Reg.16458).  The marriage was registered in Victoria (Reg. No.5774).

 Charles and Selina lived in Temora and had three children – Evelyn Gertrude (1908-1996) (Reg. No.3715), Herbert Charles (1913-2014) and Leslie John (1915-2001).  By 1930, the family were living in Cronulla and Charles was a garage proprietor.  By 1936, he owned and operated a billiard saloon above a property in Curranulla Street.  He owned the saloon until his death.  Charles was an active member of the Cronulla Bowling Club, captain of successful teams in competitions and competing with and against his sons, Herb and Les, in Club championships.

 Selina Mangelsdorf died on 6 July, 1960.  Charles Mangelsdorf died 0n 11 September, 1962.  They were both buried in Woronora Cemetery.

 Evelyn Mangelsdorf lived with her parents at Cronulla until her marriage in 1930 to William Elvy at Ashfield (Reg.No.1480). She died at Carlingford on 28 November, 1996.

 Herb (1913-2014) and Les (1915-2001) grew up in Temora, NSW, as keen competitors in all types of sport and, on moving to Cronulla as teenagers, soon became well known as talented sportsmen. During WW2, both brothers enlisted in the army and, postwar, resumed their sporting careers.

 Both were members of the Cronulla Bowling Club and, in 1947, teamed up to defeat their father in the semi-final of the singles handicap at Cronulla Club. In 1948, Herb won the Cronulla Bowling Club singles championship when his father was runner-up. The following year the brothers won the Cronulla pairs championship.

 Herb Mangelsdorf concentrated on tennis and, described as ‘brilliant’, became one of NSW’s most prominent and successful tournament players.  In 1951, at the West Wyalong Town Club tournament, Herb won three titles – the singles, doubles and mixed doubles.  In 1952, at Grafton, Herb won the singles and doubles championships.  He also represented NSW in interstate competitions.   

 Herb Mangelsdorf  worked as a tennis coach and a sales representative for the sporting goods firm, Spaldings.  In 1953, he married May Bernadette Anne Songberg (1927-2000) at North Sydney and they lived in Cronulla.  May Songberg was born in 1927 at Gloucester, NSW, the daughter of Arthur John Songberg(1895-1974) and his wife, Evelyn Victoria (1888-1989), nee Collins.  She was a teacher.

 Herbert Charles Mangelsdorf died in Cronulla, on 19 October, 2014 and was cremated at Woronora Cemetery.

 Les Mangelsdorf turned his attention to billiards and snooker and, in 1938, won the major State Snooker Championship.  In 1939, he won the Minor State Billiards Championship and also the big double, billiards and snooker championships in the same year.  Les served in the army during WW2 and, in 1946, won the Major State Billiards and Snooker Championships.  In all, Les won 13 State Titles in billiards and snooker and also represented NSW with distinction and success in the Interstate RSL championships. In lawn bowls, he was a runner-up in the State Bowls singles in 1955.  A green keeper by profession, Les won the Australian Greenkeepers Bowls Singles Championship in 1972.

 On 31 January, 1948, Les Manglesdorf married Annie Ellen Symons (1918-1964) at Ashfield,NSW.  They lived at Cronulla.  On 20 February, 1964, Annie Manglesdorf died in hospital at Caringbah, NSW.  She was buried at Woronora Cemetery,  In 1967, Les Manglesdorf married Evelyn Alma Greedy at Sutherland.  Leslie John Manglesdorf died 0n 6 December, 2001 and Evelyn Alma Manglesdorf died on 29 November, 2015.  They were both cremated at Woronora Cemetery.

Les Manglesdorf - Playing Record:

NSW Minor State Billiards Champion 1939

NSW Major State Billiards Champion 1939, 1946, 1968, 1974, 1977, 1978, 1979

NSW Major State Snooker Champion 1938, 1939, 1946, 1949, 1961

Les Mangelsdorf was elected to the NSW Snooker and Billiards Hall of Fame, and granted Life Membership of that association.  He was also a Life Member of Sutherland School of Arts, Victorian Billiards and Snooker Association, Cronulla Bowling Club, Cronulla RSL Club and St. George Leagues Club.

References:

·         NSW Billiards and Snooker Association

·         Cronulla RSL Snooker and Billiards Club

·         Victorian Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages

·         Genealogy SA

·         NSW BDM

·         Australian Electoral Rolls

·         Woronora Cemetery

·         AWM World War 2

·         Trove