Arrived home on 63rd birthday

Giuseppe Costan was born on the 29th March 1882 at St Nicola (St Nicola Cadore) Italy. He lived with his wife Marie Louise at 37 Gove Way, London, England when he was arrested on the 11th June 1940. 

In 1897, Giuseppe was sent abroad to learn languages and the hotel and restaurant trade.  He listed his languages as English, French, German and Spanish. He arrived in London in 1905 and held positions at the Ritz Hotel then the Royal Automobile Club from 1925 until 1939 as restaurant manager. In 1940, he opened Mira Belle Restaurant at 56 Curzon Street, London in a partnership with Peter Rattatsi and R Saltore.

He had applied for his naturalisation in 1939, through solicitors Wiley and Powell in London, which at the time of his arrest had not been processed.

In camp, Giuseppe was friendly with Angelo Albericci. He was considered a good industrious worker with the garden party on the camp vegetable garden.

Giuseppe was one of many UK Italians who wrote to acquaintances in Australia. Robert Frith, a wardsman at the St Vincent’s Hospital, Melbourne, had sent Giuseppe various articles which Giuseppe repaid his gesture with a £3 cheque.  It was noted that Giuseppe and Robert Frith had corresponded frequently.

Giuseppe also corresponded with Dr. Bradlan of Bayswater, London.  Dr Bradlan had assisted Giuseppe’s son to join the British Army and Giuseppe wrote, I cannot thank you enough for what you have done for my dear boy who I am glad to say is doing his duty and is a full ‘Britisher’, something useful for the country that has given me 35 years of happiness. The authorities here, and all others have always been good, generous and understanding towards us. (NAA:MP70/1 31/101/185 Tatura Part 3)  Giuseppe had served in the Italian Army during WW1 and was attached toward the end of war to the British Forces at Lonigo as an Intelligence Officer.

‘Released on parole’ on the 20th July 1944 Giuseppe was employed by Mr T Farrell Kinglsey Flats Finchley Court, Hawthorne, Melbourne.

Boarded on the Athlone Castle, Giuseppe arrived in Liverpool, England as a ‘released internee’ on the 29th March 1945. The day was also Giuseppe’s 63rd birthday. His address on the ship’s register was noted as 61 Brixton Hill, London.

Tatura, Australia. 13 February 1943. Group of Italian internees from overseas now interned at Tatura Internment Camp. Back row, left to right: G. Tome; S. Corna; U. Ugolini; E. Sampietro; G. Costan; A. Cima. Front row: L. Strola; O. Tome; G. Consoli; N. Bertoia; R. Chiocconi. (AWM Image 030188/11 Photographer Colin Thomas Halmarick)