Deceased Navy diver Josh Manning lives on through IVF miracle

Elite Navy diver Josh Manning died three years ago, but IVF has allowed his fiance Sarah to give birth to their second son earlier this month.

Some might think it’s “selfish” to bring a child into the world when their father has been dead for years. But 41-year-old Sarah says not only has she given newborn Harrison a shot at life, she has given he and her firstborn son, Mitchell, something priceless – brotherly love.

Harrison and Mitchell’s father Josh Manning was a former clearance diver with the Royal Australian Navy with more than 11 years of service.

With the help of IVF, in 2019 Josh and fiance Sarah welcomed their first son Mitchell.

When Mitchell was three months old Josh passed away suddenly after suffering a seizure while in the care of RSL Lifecare, an organisation based at Narrabeen which was founded to support veterans. He was just 36.

Former Navy clearance diver Josh Manning died October 7, 2019.

Earlier this month Sarah gave birth to Harrison, also via IVF.

Josh had picked the name Harrison three years earlier.

“Josh and I certainly didn’t want to stop at one child,” the Melbourne woman, who is moving to regional NSW to be closer to family, said.

“For Mitchell it is quite sad to be an only child, especially without a father as well.

“Some people may think that it is a little bit selfish, bringing a child into the world knowing that they won’t necessarily have a father.

“I can take comfort that no matter what happens, these two boys have got each other – even if Josh is not here.”

She also said her and Josh’s extended families plan to play a main role in the boys’ lives.

Josh was part of the elite clearance diver team.

Raised in Westleigh, he was training to be part of the Tactical Assault Group, another elite unit specialising in Counter-terrorism.

Former Navy clearance diver Josh Manning with Sarah and Mitchell in 2019. He died three months later.

He suffered a serious hip injury while training and later a seizure, which resulted in an unwelcome medical discharge in 2013.

A series of failed attempts at rehabilitation left him homeless and in psychological anguish.

He suffered from PTSD and complex mental health issues associated with his service, however his condition was only recognised by the Department of Veterans Affairs after his death. Being a father meant everything to him.

“I knew Josh would want more children as well and we’d already had the consents signed off,” Sarah said of the IVF rules.

“It was really with his blessing and consent that I went ahead.”

The family always celebrates Josh’s birthday, complete with a cake and cards that Mitchell makes for his dad.

Sarah with her sons Mitchell and newborn Harrison. Picture: Mark Stewart

Josh loved the sea and this year Mitchell painted little cardboard fish for his old man.

“We often go to the beach and Mitchell said recently ‘I might see Daddy’,” Sarah said.

“I don’t know he realises that not having his dad around now is, is something that’s not normal.

“Those discussions will have to be ongoing and, especially now with Harrison because he won’t even have those nice photos with his dad.”

Sarah said because clearance divers are so highly trained for extreme mental toughness, it creates the need for a more specialised treatment plan.

“I want to use this opportunity to call for better, more specific tailored care for our defence force veterans; the current community services and programs aren’t meeting the specific needs of defence force trained people,” she said. “I hope that other families don’t have to suffer the loss that our families are enduring when a bright young life is cut short.”