A Cruel Blow
- Joanne Tapiolas
- Jan 10
- 1 min read
Fate dealt Riccardo Massarelli a cruel blow.
A 2nd June 1942 letter notified him that he would not be allowed to return to UK for consideration of release. This decision was reversed by a 15th June 1942 notification which gave Riccardo permission to return to UK to appear before the Italian Advisory Committee.
Riccardo was transferred from Loveday Camp, South Australia to Tatura Camp via Broadmeadows, Victoria on 7th August 1942. He departed Tatura Camp on the 12th August 1942 for Liverpool Camp, New South Wales to await embarkation to the UK.
In total, there were 43 internees returning to the UK at this time, seven were Dunera Italian and 36 were German internees. The internees boarded the Westernland in Sydney and changed ships at Cape Town on 10th October 1942.
The internees were boarded on the MV Abosso, a British Motor Passenger Ship. At 22.13 on the 29th October 1942, the MV Abosso was torpedoed. At 23.05 the MV Abosso sank.
Riccardo was ‘lost at sea’ and his death officially presumed on the 24th June 1943. He was 60 years old when he died.
Born in Pisa on the 2nd April 1882, Riccardo Massarelli was an accountant who had lived with his wife Muriel in Cricklewood, London.
Lest we forget.
Comments