A constant worker in camp projects

Andrea Terroni was born in Pontremoli (Massa) Italy on the 2nd November 1894.  A café proprietor, he lived with his wife Margharita at 58 Worship Street, London when he was arrested on the 11th June 1940.

He had arrived in the UK in 1911 and worked in café and confectionery businesses until 1914.  From 1914-1919, he served with the Italian Army.  He returned to the UK and in 1920, opened a fish shop in Scotland until 1922 when he returned to London to operate a café at 22 Broad Street Place until his internment.  One of his sons was interned on the Isle of Man and his other son was in the British Army. Andrea had joined the Fascist Party in London 1933.

In Australia he was a constant worker in camp projects and the wood party was one project mentioned in his report.  He was a very quiet man who had a good camp record and had not come to the attention for breaches in camp or mail regulations.  It was noted he associated with Pietro Cabrelli. On the 15th January 1942, he was refused release under Category 18 of the White Paper: Special cases.

Luigi Beschizza told a funny story about Andrea. He remembered: A chap called [Andrea] Terroni, had gone really white and you weren’t allowed to get too close to the wire. I think it was 6 feet. On dusk, a soldier called out, get away from the wire you bald headed bastard.  So Terroni, called out, I am not bald headed, I have just had a haircut. He didn’t mind being called a bastard, but he didn’t want to be called bald headed. (Luigi Beschizza 1990)

Tatura, Australia. January 1943. Group of Italian internees from overseas now interned at Tatura Internment Camp. Back row, left to right: L. Cappuccini; P. Cabrelli; G. Barovero; L. Becci; L. Barbieri; A. Terroni. Front row: S. Beschizza; L. Rosi; L. Beschizza; P. Pinagli.

On the 16th May 1944 he was ‘released on parole’ for employment with the Civil Aliens Corps in forestry work. He returned to the UK on the SS Athlone Castle which departed Sydney, NSW on the 6th February 1945 and arrived in Liverpool, England on the 29th March 1945. 

Andrea died on the 18th March 1953 in London.