A victim of circumstances

Francesco Amato was born in London, England on the 31st August 1917. His family roots were in Ravello (Salerno) Italy. He was arrested on 17th June 1940 in London. He registered his next of kin as his father Andrea Amato of 140 Southwark Bridge Road, London.

Francesco celebrated his 23rd birthday somewhere between Fremantle and Melbourne. He was a hairdresser by trade having worked for G. Forte = Hairdresser at Peckham and Lewisham. When the salons closed two months before Italy’s entry into the war, Francesco worked for his father in his confectioner’s shop.

He had never travelled outside of England until his internment and his Italian was very poor. Camp Leader Giovanni Borghi stated that when Francesco was arrested he had great difficulty in understanding the Italian language.

Tatura Camp 2 Commandant wrote: This man appears to have been a victim of circumstances, picked up in the general arrest in 1940. Seems more English than Italian. (NAA:A367, C 75946)

Very quiet in nature, Francesco was friends with Felice Parravicini.

Francesco was released on the 16th May 1944 to work with the Civil Aliens Corps in forestry work near Peechelba.

On the 21st August 1945, Francesco arrived at Liverpool docks, England on the Nieuw Amsterdam. The Nieuw Amsterdam was a luxury cruise ship before she entered in war service and was painted grey and stripped of all its Art Décor furnishings. She could accommodate 8,000 troops who slept in 3 tier bunks.

Ten days after Francesco arrived in Liverpool, he would celebrate his 28th birthday.

The Londoners: Tatura, Australia. January 1943. Group of Italian internees from overseas now interned at Tatura Internment Camp. Back row, left to right: G. Galbiati; U. Giovine; G. Berni; P. Beschizza; N. Cua; F. Amato. Front row: G. Cua; E. Simonelli; G. Guarnieri; P. Tolaini. (AWM Image 030188/10 Photographer Colin Halmarick)