Born in Falkirk, Scotland

Henry* Casci was born in Falkirk, Scotland on the 20th January 1916 with his family roots in the Lucca province of Italy. His mother arranged an Italian passport for him to keep him out of the British army and indirectly, Henry lost his British nationality.  Quite possibly, Henry’s mother wanted to protect her son who suffered epilepsy.

He was a café worker and lived with his family at 62 Woodburn Road, Lady’s Mill, Falkirk, Scotland. His father Lionello was interned on the Isle of Man along with Arcangelo Notarianni, the son of Carlo Notarianni who was in camp with Henry.  Henry arranged a friend to take a suitcase of food to his father and Arcangelo on the Isle of Man.

On the sinking of the Arandora Star Henry described further scenes of chaos especially for those unable to find a place in one of the lifeboats: We were dressed wrongly, with all our clothes on, an overcoat and everything.  The German boys were just as they had been brought into the world, stake naked.  If you’re going to hit the water, you have more of a fighting chance that way. With clothes on, you become saturated with water.  It is absolutely no use that way.  There weren’t enough lifeboats for everyone.  Definitely not.  But mind you, there were rafts tied to the railings and hatchets to get them out.  People were throwing everything that could float into the water.  I saw some big tanks, big empty barrels being thrown over the side, but there were a lot of poor lads down there whose heads were getting split open.  No matter how far you tried to jump out, away from the ship, the ship was at least 50 feet high, so you are not going to jump out very far. (from The Italian Factor by De Terri Colpi 1991)

From his sister Mary, Henry received tablets in the mail for his epilepsy as he was unable to get a script for the tablets in Australia.  He experienced fits every month or so while in Australia, which was less frequent than before internment. He wrote: As regards my health Mary, it is perfect and with a little more time taking these tables, I will be as I used to be nice and strong. (NAA:A367 C76023)

He was seen by a medical officer on the 26th March 1943 who found Henry’s health satisfactory.  Another report advised he was suitable for ‘light work’ which excluded him from joining friends who signed up for work with the Civil Aliens Corps in forestry.  In Tatura Camp he worked in the canteen for two years and his best friend was Fortunato Janetta, also from Scotland.

On the 26th September 1944, Henry was released to Melbourne, ‘on parole’.  He was employed by Mr T. Farrell, Kingsley Flats, Finchley Court, Hawthorne.

Henry arrived as a ‘released internee’ in Liverpool, London onboard the Athlone Castle on the 29th March 1945. On the 16th June 1990 Enrico Casci was bestowed the honour of Cavaliere al Merito della Repubblica Italiana.

In 2005, Henry passed away aged 89 years.

*Henry or Enrico: His British records document his name as Henry, his Australia records have his name as Enrico and Dr T Colpi references his name as Enrico.