JOE MANICOLA 1946-1969
YALLOURN TECHNICAL SCHOOL
NATIONAL SERVICEMAN
Joe (Joseph George) Manicola (born 1946) was one of a number of young men from Yallourn and district who were conscripted to undertake National Service during the years of the Vietnam War.
The Manicola family lived at Yallourn North. Joe and his elder brother attended the Yallourn Technical School. Joe was an affable and an extremely popular student at YTS.
It is believed that Joe commenced his apprenticeship as a boilermaker soon after leaving YTS. According to available records, Joe was called up for National Service in February 1968 and travelled to Puckapunyal for ten weeks of recruit training. During the period 23/12/ 1968 until 21/1/1969, Joe was attached to Unit: 1 of the Australian Reinforcement Unit (ARU).
The circumstances of Joe’s sad death are described below. The following extract is taken from a website entitled ‘National Service in Australia’ by Allan Callaghan…
“3793137 Manicola Joseph G, 22, of Yallourn, Victoria, was a boilermaker when called up on February 7, 1968. On January 17, 1969 as a rifleman private with 1ARU he was admitted to 1 Australian Field Hospital, Phuoc Tuy, with a cranial tumour then transferred to the Repatriation General Hospital, Heidelberg, Melbourne, where he died on March 12, 1969. “
Note: The photo of Joe was cropped from the Virtual Yallourn website photograph of Form 2CD at YTS in 1960.
Joe Manicola
Joe Manicola - YTS 1959 (first year)
I have vivid memories of Joe.
I have vivid memories of Joe. We started at YTS together in 1959. During Form 1 we were in the same Class together. Joe was a delightful school mate, he was always happy and cheerful and a really great person. I remember when he died, I was really shocked to hear that he had passed away at such a young age.