Ayr Scotland was home

Santi Stefani* was born in Capezzano (Lucca) Italy on the 13th August 1909.  He was arrested in Ayr, Scotland on the 10th June 1940. Santi listed his next of kin as his father, Ermindo Stefani who lived at Ponte Aranci, Pietrasanta (Lucca) Italy.

In 1920, Santi had arrived in Ayr, Scotland to work for his uncle Oscar Bartolucci who owned the Wellington Fish Restaurant and grocery store at 100/102 Sandgate Street, Ayr.  In time Santi opened his own business and the 1935-1936 Valuation Rolls document that Santi was tenant at 5 Bridge Street Ayr.

Santi was listed on a letter dated 29th May 1942 as a ‘may be returned for consideration’ to appear before the Advisory Committee. He departed Loveday Camp 10, South Australia on the 29th June 1942 and arrived at Tatura Camp, Victoria via Broadmeadows Military Camp on the 9th July 1942.

He departed Tatura Camp on the 17th July 1942 with 16 other UK Italian internees. The group embarked the SS Themistocles in Sydney and disembarked in Liverpool, England on the 17th October 1942. Santi was re-interned on the Isle of Man until his release under the ILB Scheme on the 13th April 1943.

After the war, Santi opened a grocery store and in 1947, Santi married Marina Viviani in Ayr, Scotland.

*Santi was also known as Santo and Santino