First class waiter
- Joanne Tapiolas
- Aug 14
- 2 min read
Marco Gazzi was born in Bardi (Parma) Italy on the 13th January 1917. He was arrested in Cardiff, Wales on the 10th June 1940. Marco’s three brothers, Francesco, Bertino and Mario were also arrested and interned. Marco’s brother Francesco aged 18 years, despite being a skilled water polo player perished at sea when the Arandora Star was torpedoed on the 2nd July 1940.
At the time of his arrest, Marco was working at the New Continental Restaurant, Queen Street, Cardiff. He had worked in various roles in hospitality in England with the Berni Brothers at Bristol, Exeter and Plymouth and in Wales as a kitchenhand, waiter and supervisor and had some experience as a cook.
Marco was seen as industrious, clean cut, and a good worker with a good camp record. He worked in the wood party and wrote to his brother Mario on 12th July 1943: Today we have been working at the wood depot. I have been very surprised to see how much wood we have cut - about 3000 tons. The captain in charge of the work was so pleased he gave us each a pair of boots. (NAA: A367, C75775)
While in Tatura Camp 2A, he was sketched by Kurt Winkler and Felix Braun, German artists, highlighting interactions between the German and Italian UK internees.
Marco was refused permission to return to the UK for consideration for released on the 21st August 1943, but on the 10th January 1944 permission was granted and on 14th January 1944 Marco signed his willingness to return. However, no UK Italians were returned to the UK during 1944.
On the 3rd August 1944, Marco was released from internment to industry as he did not gain medical clearance for heavy work with the Civil Aliens Corps. His work placement was at the Menzies Hotel as a kitchenhand.
In 1945 he married Flavia Fabbris and on 11th March 1948 he advertised his intention to apply for naturalisation. In 1948 he was working at Florentino’s restaurant in Melbourne and was viewed as a decent and hard working first class waiter. He received his Certificate of Naturalisation on 4th June 1948.
Interestingly, because Marco married when he had ‘alien status’ his wife Flavia had to make a separate application for naturalisation, and she was awarded her Certificate of Naturalisation on 10th August 1948. Marco owned and operated a successful butchery business.
Marco Gazzi made contributions to the Tatura Wartime Camps Museum of important relics from internment. These included his oral testimony, sketched portraits, sketches of Tatura Camp 4B accommodation room, Alessandro Edoni’s sketch of the Tatura Camp 2B Chapel and the Loveday Camp 10 1942 Easter Menu.
On the 16th June 1990, he was bestowed the award of Cavaliere al Merito della Repubblica Italiana.
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