Home on the 'Dominion Monarch'

Sisto Beschizza was born on the 29th March 1894 at Pontremoli (Massa and Carrara) Italy though his British documents have him as being born in Bratto. At the time of his arrest on the 10th June 1940 in London he was a café proprietor.

His Australia documents recorded his next of kin as his wife Rosa who was living at Pontremoli, 9 Abrato, Apunia Italy. Sisto had two sons, one was in Italy with Rosa and his other son was living in London.

Sisto had arrived in England in 1909 and worked as a restaurant waiter.  The 1911 Census recorded that he lived with his brother Paolo and was a confectioner’s assistant.  He returned to Italy from 1914-1919 and served with the Italian army. 

On his return to London, he continued to work as a waiter until 1927 when he purchased a hairdressing business at 32/33 Great Marlborough Street, London which he leased and then took over a restaurant at No. 36 in the same street.

By his own admission, he joined the fascist party in Italy in 1936 to facilitate his son’s education in Italy.

In Australia, he associated with Iginio Toffolo and brothers Giovanni and Osvaldo Tome. He worked in the CDS (Camp Dressing Station) and kitchen and then signed up to work with the Civil Aliens Corps in forestry work but rescinded his application on medical grounds as he was under medical treatment for high blood pressure.  His camp report stated that he had a good camp record and that he would not be a 'menace' to security if freed to work.

Sisto was ‘released to the UK’ on the 19th February 1945, spending time at Liverpool Camp NSW before leaving Sydney on the 4th March 1945 on the Dominion Monarch. He arrived in Liverpool, England on the 19th April 1945.  He would continue his internment until the 8th June 1945.  On the ship’s register his address was recorded as 39 Upper Berkely Street, London.