I am separated so far from you...

Carlo Barsotti's letter to his wife in October 1943 points to the division within the group of Italians. There were those who were 'true Italians' concerned for the devastation of their country and its people; loyal to the King of Italy but had chosen Britain as their home. Then there were those who were 'ardent fascists' within the camp who in the words of Giovanni Borghi: have wanted since the beginning to rule this camp on true FASCIST lines, through castor oil and bludgeons. 

Carlo Barsotti wrote to his wife on 25th October 1943, providing an insight into his thoughts on his internment and venting his abhorrence towards fascists: When the festivities arrive, my heart creeps to think that I am so far away from you and I am separated so far from you because I have done nothing except to be an Italian. As you know, I did not belong to any party, and I have never belonged to the Fascist party as it did not suit me.  I have always been in Glasgow where I brought up my family and I did not dream to take any part in any party because I have always worked for my family and I pray every day that they will punish delinquent Fascists, not only those in Italy but also in Glasgow, who used to cry always ‘Long Live Fascism’, as there are also among us those delinquent Fascists who are a gang of ruffians about 20 men…If I were in command, I would shoot the lot and I hope that the commandant here knows them. (NAA: MP70/1, 37/101/185 Tatura Part 3) The Intelligence Department of Tatura Camp determined that Carlo was an anti-fascist.

Carlo Barsotti was living at 9 Kilberry Street, Glasgow, Scotland when he was arrested on the 10th June 1940.  His Australian documents have his date of birth as 4th February 1889 and his birthplace as Borgo A Mozzano (Lucca). Carlo’s occupation was listed as restaurant proprietor and his wife Miranda (née Bacci) named as his next of kin.

While in Tatura Camp, Victoria Carlo had a brief hospital visit to the 28 Australian Camp Hospital, Waranga from 31st May to the 14th June 1944 and on at least one occasion he joined refugees Hermann Zutrauen, Carl Solmitz and Ulrich Schneider to clear stumps and scrub from an area outside of camp.

On the 5th September 1944, Carlo was released to Melbourne and was employed by the Menzies Hotel, one of Melbourne’s most prestigious establishments at the time.

On the 6th February 1945, Carlo was one of a group of 63 ‘released’ Italian UK internees who boarded the Athlone Castle for Liverpool, England.  The ship’s route went from Sydney via Wellington, New Zealand, the Panama Canal, New York USA and Ponta Delgado Azores.  Carlo Barsotti was 56 years old when he returned home to his wife and family and listed his address on the ship’s register as 9 Kilberry Street, Glasgow and his occupation as ‘shopkeeper’.

Carlo died in 1957 aged 67 years old.

Tatura, Australia. 13 February 1943. Group of Italian internees from overseas now interned at Tatura Internment Camp. Back row, left to right: A. Pacitti; V. Bechelli; R. Ciuffardi; R. Mazzolini; C. Pardini; G. Biagioni. Front row: G. Orlandi; C. Barsotti; M. Croci; L. Minchella. (AWM Image 030188/05 Photographer Colin Halmarick)