Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

My time working as an Apprentice Electrical Mech at the South Melbourne Depot in 1968 and until 1971, took me on a journey in my trade then, of new experiences and being my first full time occupation was important to my future in work experience and meeting people.
I first met John doing maintenance on metro Melbourne water and sewerage systems and was first introduced to John in the South Melbourne depot he and I travelled to various MMBW sites to do electrical work, he was an indentured electrician and I was working alongside John for some time while he supervised me on these sites as a C grade apprentice, and John had a very developed sense of humour, but a great guy to work with.
John and I worked for the MMBW in 1968, and as I was too young to register for national service John told me he was in the ballot, being about five years older than me, just finished his apprenticeship and was an A grade sparkie then.
The conversation would arise at times when John would speak of his ballot and if called up for National service, was something he and I discussed often.
His ballot number was drawn, and he was in the next intake of National servicemen to be sent to Vietnam to support the regular Australian Army, I had no idea how this conscription was going to affect anyone being faced with jail if you refused to co-operate with authorities in those times.
I was still at the MMBW for another year and a half before moving to another employer and when John told me he was going to the Army and had no idea what would happen, being the laid-back happy guy John was said what can he do?
He left the MMBW and that was the last time I saw John in 1970.
I went on to other parts and work but was often curious to know what John was doing after the end of Australia's involvement in Vietnam. Never heard of John Auditore again, asked people who may have known him, nothing.
Not knowing any of his family made it difficult, but not much more I could do.
Which brings me to this place, and after seeing this was quite sad to see.
I can now put my memory of those days in their place in history For John Philip Auditore.