Chapel Warden and Tailor

Giovanni Berni was born on the 15th November 1902 in Bardi (Parma) Italy. He was arrested on the 14th June 1940, in London.  His Australian documents recorded that he worked as a waiter and he named his mother Maria Berni of Casanova Bardi, Italy as his next of kin.

He had arrived in England in 1920 and worked as a waiter at the Geneva Restaurant, New Compton Street, London for the Sansaverino Bros.

Giovanni was one of 28 Dunera Italians who returned to Loveday Camp on the 8th March 1944 and was assigned to Loveday Camp 14D until his return to Tatura Camp 2A on the 10th January 1945. Loveday Camp Intelligence Office deemed his Tatura Camp record to be confusing. His Loveday report noted that he was a good, clean, willing type who was willing to be released for work. 

Peter Capella wrote in The Arandora Star Tragedy that Giovanni Berni was a chapel warden at Tatura Camp and Sig. Berni was also mentioned in the camp magazine Gioventu No. 14 as having an interest in the chapel at Tatura along with Filippo Guidobaldi. His church involvement was noted by Camp Authorities as being the church warden and for attending all religious celebrations.

Friends with Luigi Bescshizza and Venuto Corinti, Giovanni was a quiet reserved man who worked as a tailor in camp.

Giovanni was released to the UK on the 19th February 1945 and transferred to Liverpool Camp, New South Wales before boarding the Dominion Monarch in Sydney, New South Wales on the 4th March 1945. On the ship’s register, Giovanni’s address was listed as 27 Devonia Road, Islington, London and his occupation as waiter. 

The Dominion Monarch arrived at Liverpool, England on the 19th April 1945 and Giovanni continued his internment until the 28th May 1945 when he was released from internment as a Special Case.

He married Celesta Orelia Maria and they lived at 27 Devonia Road, Islington, London until Antonio’s death on the 3rd February 1967.  Known as John Berni, his full name was Giovanni Guglielmo Giuseppe Berni.