Camp Bugler

Francesco Apicella was a café proprietor living at 19 Attneave Street, London when he was arrested on the 11th June 1940. He was born on the 1st March 1899 in Salerno, Italy and in 1925, he married Maria Mammato a widow becoming a father to Raffaela, Luigi, Anna and Matteo. Maria and Francesco would add another son to their family.

In November 1943, Francesco wrote to Fortunato Apicella in Connecticut USA: We are waiting for a new disposition day by day up to now always with chains on our feet. Certainly encircled with barbed wire. (NAA: MP70/1, 37/101/185 Tatura Part 2) At this stage in the war, Mussolini is no longer in power and the Armistice of Cassibile had been signed on the 3rd September 1943. It appears Francesco was despondent, Italy is no longer at war with the Allies, yet he remains an internee in Australia. 

On the 22nd December 1944, Francesco wrote to his wife from Loveday Camp 14D: Our son Luigi is in the special service branch of the 6th Airborne Division ie the parachutists.  Good, he is doing his duty to his fatherland.  However, you will tell him to go again to the Home Office to ask about his father, who is still inside the barbed wire. (NAA:D1901, A4129)

Regarding his contribution to camp life, Francesco was the camp bugler but little else was documented for him. 

Francesco arrived in Liverpool, England on the 2nd August 1945 on the Dominion Monarch. The ship departed Melbourne and travelled via Trinidad.  On board were five other Dunera Italians whose status was still that of ‘internee’ and their address is registered as c/-Home Office London.  Francesco and Ivaldo Antinori were released from internment on the 24th August 1945. Three of the men however remained interned and were repatriated to Italy in December 1945.

In February 1949, Francesco advertised in the West London Chronical his intention for application for Naturalisation. Francesco Apicella died on the 4th August 1971.

(West London Chronicle February 18 1949)