Dental Technician

Andrea Valentino Giovanni Pini was born in Pontremoli (Massa and Carrara) Italy on the 11th August 1920.  At the time of his arrest on the 11th June 1940, he was working at his father’s restaurant as the manager. He lived with his parents and siblings at 90 Great Eastern Street, London.

He was one of the young Italians who were teenagers when arrested. Andrea would celebrate his 20th birthday somewhere between Cape Town, South Africa and Fremantle, Australia; his birthday was also when the first mass with Holy Communion was celebrated on deck of the Dunera on 11th August 1940.

Loveday Intelligence Office reported that Andrea was a good clean type, intelligent and willing. He had an excellent camp record and worked as a dental technician.

Andrea’s father died in June 1943 and Andrea applied for release to the UK to assist his mother with the family businesses.  His application was refused.

A friend to Luigi Beschizza, both Andrea and Luigi were keen football players and Luigi Beschizza recalled many larrikin larks that he and Andy Pini were involved in relating to food while on the Dunera. They were a couple of young fellows, making the best of a difficult situation.

On the 16th January 1945, Andrea was released to work with the Civil Aliens Corps in forestry. Agreement to work with the CAC was ‘pushed’ as a way to proving one’s willingness to co-operate with authorities and was a way to get clearance to be returned to the UK.

Andrea arrived in Liverpool, London on the SS Athlone Castle on the 29th March 1945; he was 24 years old.  Andrea died in London on the 8th October 1977.

Tatura, Australia. January1943. Group of Italian internees from overseas now interned at Tatura Internment Camp. Back row, left to right: D. Borzoni; E. Previdi; R. Pini; R. Lombardelli; D. Schiavi; G. Roscelli; A. Pini. Front row: S. Pini; D. Cenci; L. Bertorelli; A. Saccomani.