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Charles was born in Moonta on the 31st January 1918 to Albert Ernest and Mabel Manuel. Besides Charles, there were three other children, Reuben (deceased), James and Phyllis Jane. The family lived in Balaklava a thriving agricultural area on the River Wakefield in South Australia.
The children attended the local Balaklava Primary School where Charles’ name appeared quite regularly in the local paper for being in the honor list for the annual exams, culminating in his gaining his Qualifying Certificate (having scored 565 out of a possible 700 in a trial exam in 1930). Post school, Charles became a painter and also joined the Militia.
Charles and his family were regular attendees at the Methodist Church where his father was the treasurer. Charles was a ready participant in the Sunday School celebrations where his singing was frequently a highlight alongside Jack Gilding, Neil Gilchrist and Colin Hore. Neil was later to enlist at a similar time to Charles and become SX7266, a Lieutenant in the 2/48th while Colin became a Trooper. In a youth group that met weekly, called the Order of the Knights, Charles rose to become the Knight Commander.
Dramatic performances became part of Charles’ leisure time with him regularly being part of Concerts performed by local artists. He also enjoyed the opportunity of travelling to the Adelaide Theatre Royal, with the magic of the stage being described by the ‘Wooroora Producer’ as ‘The stage has an attraction for all, in that it has a glamour which cannot be produced in the "talkies." An example of this is to be had in the large attendances at the Theatre Royal in Adelaide, showing that the population as a whole have not lost their interest in the stage.’ Charles performed in a range of productions including "Comparisons are Odious" described as ‘light with plenty of humour, which, accompanied by various choruses to be supplied by the rest of the company, will make a very entertaining show.’ Charles was cast as Mrs Drayton, described as ‘an ultra-diffident suitor showed how good manners can be overdone, and was an excellent foil for Miss Wauchope's more active part.’ The ‘Wooroora Producer’ described his acting in a further production as ‘Charles Manuel is so good as the suitor that one almost wishes to knock him on the head. His version of what a man should not be is really amusing.’ The following year ’39 Charles turned his acting hand to the Cinderella fairy story, becoming the herald ‘The whole entertainment is one of old-world simplicity and charm, told in song and verse, and should make its appeal to old and young alike.’ In his final performance in October 39, to raise funds for the Senior Red Cross Circle and the Amateur Swimming Club, the Balaklava Amateur Dramatics Society presented its first three-act play in the Institute, entitled "The Way Out," with Charles playing the part of a fiancé, Harold Bagby.
When his older brother, James married Lena Luck of Jamestown, in January ‘38 both siblings were part of the bridal group. Sister Phyllis was a bridesmaid and Charles best man. With the growing threat of war, conditions were uncertain for many young couples however weddings continued to be held. In March ’40 close local friend Leo Ahrns married Joyce Schaeffer in their Methodist Church with Charles again filling the role of best man for Leo.
It is evident that a certain Valda Hore was an important feature in Charles’ life, accompanying him, Phyllis and two other friends, including Ted Anders to Glenelg for a weekend over Easter ’38. Their interest was sparked by a huge storm which had damaged the area and they wanted to see, first-hand the effects. Unfortunately, while cruising down Colley Terrace, a learner driver hit Ted’s car, damaging the side and putting the chassis, springs and wheels out of alignment. Fortunately, none of the group was injured.
With the outbreak of WWII, a very strong recruiting campaign was conducted for the A.I.F. in a huge drive aimed at fit young country men. As an incentive for country young men to enlist, intending recruits were encouraged to contact the Balaklava Recruiting Committee for their initial examination. The added inducement was that they would then receive a free rail pass to Adelaide for their second examination, as well as being met on arrival and conveyed to Keswick. Consequently, just after to his 22nd birthday, Charles, officially enlisting on the 24th June, 1940 at Wayville, and was allocated to the newly formed 2/48th Battalion with the number SX8017. Initial days were spent in the cold of the Pavilions, now part of the Royal Adelaide Showgrounds before he and other new enlistees headed to Woodside for their preliminary training and his first promotion to A/Corporal.
The news of enlistees was regularly listed in the local ‘Producer’ which announced in July ’40 that ‘Charles G., younger son of Mr and Mrs A. E. Manuel, of Balaklava, has enlisted in the 2nd A.I.F., entering camp next Monday. Mr John Stephens, of the Bank of Adelaide, captain of the Balaklava Football Club, was in Adelaide on Tuesday to enlist in the 2nd A.I.F.’ (John was to join the 2/3rd Machine Gun Battalion but was captured and spent time on the infamous Thai-Burma Rail construction, but survived the war).
The local enlistees had pre-embarkation leave with members of the 2nd A.I.F. home for a few days. These included Ptes. Neil Gilchrist, 2/48th SX7266, W. Hansen SX6666, Charles Manuel SX8017 2/48th, Reg Marriott 2/43rd SX 6608, Ken Lindner SX5376, Keith Reid SX2144 and Brian Sutton 2/43rd SX6605.
On the 18th October ’40 a farewell was organised at the Balaklava Institute for the six men who had enlisted. They included Charles Manuel, Neil Gilchrist, G. Young, Max Reid SX6604, Louis and Paul Kostera. The local ‘Producer’ also listed Pte David Williams and Pte Roy Hage and reported that there was singing of patriotic war songs, musical items and even tap-dancing items. With formalities over, supper and dancing followed.
Just days later, another farewell occurred. The ‘Producer’ reported that ‘Pte. C. G. Manuel and Lance-Corporal N. B. Gilchrist, who has also held various offices in connection with Balaklava Druids Lodge, were farewelled by members at Thursday night's meeting.’ Additional speeches were given by the Methodist Club president about both young men and also the Balaklava Football Club where Charles was described as an active spectator and Neil a valued player. Their R.S.L. community presented the young soldiers with a wristlet watch and the Red Cross with woollen, hand knitted garments. The inevitable singing of "For they are jolly good fellows," preceded the soldiers’ responses before the playing of the National Anthem and Song of Australia, community singing and individual solo performances. A country supper and dancing concluded the evening.
The two young men were again farewelled at the tennis courts where fellow players again thanked both young men for their service and made a further presentation.
Returning to the 2/48th the Battalion contingent then embarked on the Stratheden for the Middle East, on the 7th November 1940, arriving on the 19th December 1940 where his Battalion completed a few months training in Cyrenaica and his rank of Acting Corporal being officially confirmed. From there, Charles was soon on his way to serve in Tobruk, Syria and Egypt. By the start of April 1941, the 2/48th were in Tobruk where the dust, flies, heat, minimal water supplies and constant bombardment were quite a challenge to new enlistees. They were to become the famed Rats of Tobruk.
Back home, Community minded young woman, Vida Hore, was amongst a group of young women who organised on-going social functions for the Girls' Comradeship and Order of Knights, including fund raising for the Red Cross Convalescent Home at Glenelg.
For Charles, by February ’41 the conditions in the Middle East had contributed to him contracting Lymphatic Meningitis (often carried by rats) which causes severe headaches and weakness. Extended time was spent being hospitalised. Consequently, Charles asked to revert to being a Private. However, his leadership abilities saw him promoted to Corporal by the following April, then A/Sergeant. Intense fighting over July saw the Battalion sustain many deaths and injuries as they founght for supremacy in Tobruk. In a very lucky escape, Charles sustained a gunshot wound to his right temple in July, requiring yet another bout of hospitalisation. By 1942 lists of injured, captured or killed young men were becoming increasingly frequent. The Advertiser in August listed SX8017 L-Cpl. C. G. Manuel, Inf., Balaklava as being wounded in action.
He eventually left the Middle East, heading back to Australia and arriving in Melbourne in February, ’43. Home on leave Corporal Charles (A.I.F. ret) married Vida Pearl Hore in the Balaklava Methodist Church on March 6th ‘43. With the war still ongoing, and the value of the 2/48th soldiers held in high regard, Charles and the remains of his original battalion were then sent to Milne Bay in New Guinea to a totally different war in August ’43. There Charles contracted both Malaria and Dengue fever in December ‘43, again requiring hospitalisation before he finally returned to Townsville in March the following year. From there he made his way home to South Australia with a range of challenging, war-related conditions from headaches, to the post effects of malaria and paralysis of the side of his body.
While in New Guinea, he and Vida were soon to welcome their first child ‘On Dec. 19, at Balaklava Soldiers' Memorial Hospital, to Vida, wife of A/Sgt. Charles G. Manuel —a son (David Charles).’ Almost three years later with peace following the war, the ‘Producer’ delightedly reported that ‘The Stork continues to find time to visit the Balaklava S.M.D. Hospital, and congratulations are in order for Mr. and Mrs. Charles Manuel, on the arrival (on December 2) of their second son.
He was finally discharged on October 1st, 1944, officially as being medically unfit
Life returned to a semblance of normality. Charles continued to perform with the Dramatic Society with a memorable performance as an Apache maid reported in the Producer describing the ‘studied and determined look of the Apache maid as she proceeded to get her man was surely worthy of the concert platform.’ Both he and Vida enjoyed playing golf while Charles and Vida’s brothers were reported for their fulsome catches of garfish and whiting.
By 1955 Charles’ received his well-deserved medals, the 1939/45 Star, African Star with 8th clasp, Pacific Star, Defence Medal, War Medal and Australian Service Medal.
Aged 68, Charles died and was buried in the Balaklava Cemetery.
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion.