Interned with his brother

Giovanni Mocogni was born in Barga (Lucca) Italy on the18th February 1893.  He lived at 20 Upper Grey Street, Edinburgh, Scotland with his wife Mary (née Gordon) when he was arrested on the 11th June 1940 and his occupation was listed as café proprietor.

In Edinburgh in 1938, Mocogni Brothers established the businesses of restaurants and fish and chip restaurant at 37 Carnegie Street, 36b St Leonard’s Street, 17 St Leonard’s Hill, 16a Dumbiedykies Road and 20 Upper Grey Street. Their startup capital was £1000. There were four Mocogni brothers: Angelo, Virginio, Giovanni and Pietro. 

Pietro and Giovanni were arrested in Edinburgh and suffered a shared experience of the Arandora Star tragedy and internment. Giovanni and Pietro had survived the sinking of the Arandora Star separately, and only found each other in Greenock, Scotland.

Giovanni and Pietro Mocogni January 1943 Tatura Camp 2A (AWM)

The only note of worth on his Australian record was that Giovanni was sent to the 28 Australian Camp Hospital Waranga from the 8th June to the 21st June 1943.

On the 30th November 1943, he was released to the UK to appear before the Advisory Committee.  Along with 12 other UK Italian internees he boarded the SS Themistocles on the 2nd December 1943 and travelled the long way home: Wellington, NZ, Kingston, Jamaica and New York USA.  The SS Themistocles disembarked its passengers at Cardiff, Wales on the 14th February 1944.

Giovanni continued his internment until the 17th April 1944 with a notation of RA ILB.

Giovanni died on the 29th March 1963.

Giovanni Mocogni c. 1950s (courtesy of Patrick Brincheski)