Kisses from my heart to you all

Emilio Lorenzo Rossi was born in Alessandria, Italy on the 17th August 1881. When he was arrested on the 11th June 1940 he was living at 50 Lillie Road, Fulham, London, England with his wife Luisa.

His work at Monico’s Restaurant, Piccadilly Circus London encompassed working as a clerk, store keeper, cashier, bar and cellar work.  In 1901, he had studied for his Diploma in Bookkeeping at the Technical Institute of Alessandria, Italy and had worked as a secretary at the Grand Hotel, Verona.

In 1904, Emilio had arrived in London and began his 37 year association with Monico’s Restaurant. The only break was for his military service from 1917-1919 when he served in the Italian Army in the 126 Territorial Regiment. Emilio stated that he joined the Fascist Party under the influence of his cousin.

Emilio's words offer up an insight into his views on his treatment as an internee. He wrote to his wife Luisa on the 20th September 1941: I am anxious to hear if you have collected the money for the insurance, as the Custodian of Enemy Property might raise other difficulties.  I have little faith in the English authorities. Where is my money that was taken away from me when I was arrested?  Can they still have any excuse after fifteen months?  The Australia officials are Gentlemen and do their best to make imprisonment less severe, but in England we did not find things the same.  I merely tell you they took away the supports for my shoes for flat feet, and I also got a sound slap. (NAA367 C75027)

At the time of Emilio's arrival in Melbourne, Australia on the Dunera on the 3rd September 1940, he was 59 years old and was one of the group taken directly to the Broadmeadows Military Hospital, Melbourne.  He would remain in hospital until the 20th September 1940 when he and the other Dunera patients were transferred to Tatura Camp 2B.  An interesting notation on his documents was that he had one suitcase in his possession. 

Of his family in England, his wife Luisa was an invalid, who was living with their daughter Adela in Oxford, his son Fernando was serving as a bandsman in the British army and his son Lawrence was a draughtsman in a musical instrument manufacturing business. 

While in Australia, he is noted to have been a constant worker in the garden party, socialised with the older men in the group and his conduct was exemplary. Intelligence Office viewed him as a man whose interests, financial and familial, were tied to England. 

His letter to his wife Luisa and daughter Adela on the 26th January 1943 reinforced his love for his family and frustration that he was still in prison: I have read with trepidation the renewed bombardment of London, and I have thought of Lawrence and Nadi and our home etc. I hope that you Luisa are at Oxford and that a star watches over our children.  I cannot complain about my health but life in this camp is dull not having anything but good food but after 32 months of prison this is not sufficient. Have you seen Sartor? Or any of them. He was fortunate unlike others.  Kisses from my heart to you all. Emilio and Papa. (NAA367 C75027)

On the 6th July 1944, Emilio was released to work at Dookie Agricultural College. On the 6th February 1945, Emilio along with 62 other UK Italians boarded the SS Athlone Castle in Sydney NSW.  He arrived in Liverpool, England on the 29th March 1945. Emilio died on the 2nd October 1953 at the Italian Hospital Queen Square, London.

Australia. January 1943. Group of Italian internees from overseas now interned at Tatura Internment Camp. Back row, left to right: S. L. Vergano; B. Calderoni; E. Guido; A. Nazzari; G. Gazzano; G. Ferrari. Front row: M. Fagiano; U. Scaravelli; E. Rossi; F. Capra.