Blue Room Café

Eusebio Bravo was born on the 31st December (May) 1893 in Bollengo (Aosta) Italy. He married Pierina Rossa in 1922 and their address in 1940 was listed as 14 Old Compton Street, London. At the time of his arrest on the 11th June 1940, he worked at the Cogder Restaurant Piccadilly, London as did his son.  Before that, he had worked at Mayfair Restaurant.

He had arrived in the UK after his service with the Italian army from 1914-1919 and never returned to Italy.  He was a member of the Fascist Party but stated it was more for social and commercial reasons.  It was reported that Eusebio was more motivated by patriotism than politics in his love for Italy.

In Australia, Eusebio worked in the compound kitchen as a kitchen hand and his friends were noted as Giovanni Cua and Ugo Ugolini.

On the 6th July 1944, Eusebio was released to Melbourne ‘on parole’ and worked at The Blue Room Café, Toorak Road, Toorak. 

Eusebio returned to Liverpool, England on the Athlone Castle as a ‘released internee’ on the 29th March 1945. His occupation on the ship’s register is recorded as kitchen worker and his address as 14 Old Compton Street, London.

Tatura, Australia. January 1943. Group of Italian internees from overseas now interned at Tatura Internment Camp. Back row, left to right: Dr G. Manzocchi; Dr G. Zezi; E. Bravo; F. Parravicini; P. Mariutto; A. Biasoni; G. Galbiati. Front row: F. Mattiussi; F. Mazzina; G. Borghi; G. V. Lembo. (AWM Image 030188/15 Photographer Colin Halmarick)