Born in Aberaman, South Wales

Lino Servini was born in Aberaman, South Wales on the 13th October 1916 with his family roots  in the province of Parma, Italy. He was arrested on the 11th June 1940 and listed his father Marcello Servini at Viale Trento 20, Fidenza, Italy as his next of kin. His occupation was noted as restaurant owner. From the ages of 7 to 16, Lino had been educated in Italy.

In 1939, Lino was living with his older brother Giacomo and sister-in-law Maria at 168 Cardiff Road, Aberdare, Wales. His brother Celeste suffered the same journey as Lino; they survived the sinking of the Arandora Star and endured the 55-day journey on the Dunera before arriving in Australia. Lino was one of nine children to Marcello and Angela Servini and the name was well known in the district for their businesses: fish shops, cafes and gym.

Despite being British born, Lino’s first application to return to the UK to appear before the Advisory Committee was refused on the 22nd December 1942. One misdemeanour was writing a letter in 1941 where to spoke of victory for the Fatherland.

His brother Celeste joined the 8th Employment Company and wrote to his brother Lino on 12th August 1943 to encourage him to join him. The tide of the war has turned for Italy and dogmatic loyalty to Mussolini and beliefs was useless. While not explicit, Celeste implied that enlistment in the company was a means to freedom and a much better situation than remaining in Tatura Camp. He encouraged Lino to speak with Major Layton who would assist him in the process: …since I have heard from you last, things have changed, you must now realise that you must do everything to regain your freedom, … don’t be stubborn any more, any thoughts of which you might have had must now and once for all be finally shattered, so please for your sake and myself as your brother you must try to be released, to return to England I think is now impossible, so make application to join me, and I am sure Major Layton would do his best for you.  (NAA: MP70/1, 37/101/185 Tatura Part 3, 1943-1944)

Lino joined the Civil Aliens Corps and was ‘released on parole’ on the 16th May 1944. He departed Sydney, NSW on the 6th February 1945 on the SS Athlone Castle and arrived in Liverpool, England on the 29th March 1945 as a ‘released internee’. The ship’s register noted his address as 168 Cardiff Road, Aberdare, Wales.

On the 16th June 1990, Lino was bestowed the honour of Cavaliere al Merito della Repubblica Italiana.  Lino died in 1997.

Tatura, Australia. January 1943. Group of Italian internees from overseas now interned at Tatura Internment Camp. Back row, left to right: L. Servini; B. Rabaiotti; R. Radice; A. Ghisoni; A. Albericci; M. Rabaiotti. Front row: P. Belloni; G. Zaninetta; G. Belloni; S. Albericci.