Mosaic worker from Newport

Antonio Alonzi was born on the 8th July 1892 in Picinisco (Frosinone) Italy. He was a mosaic worker living in Newport, Wales when he was arrested on 10th June 1940. His wife Maria was named as his next of kin living at 38 Mellon Street, Newport, Wales. Antonio had five sons: Vittorio, Armando, Erminio, Michele and Gino.

Maria and Antonio Alonzi with Michele, Vittorio and Armando c.1925 at Remune (Picinisco) Italy.

In Australia, Antonio was released ‘on parole’ on the 15th June 1944 for employment with De Marco Bros at 118 Ferrars Street South Melbourne. De Marco Bros. was a company with a fine reputation in the mosaic and terrazzo industry working on many prominent Melbourne buildings. They company was also responsible for the mosaics in the Hall of Memory at the Australian War Memorial. Employing Italian migrants who were experts in the field, at least six UK Italian internees worked with this company. Antonio began work with the company on 15th July 1944.

On the 7th July 1945 Antonio departed Australia on the Nieuw Amsterdam. He arrived in Liverpool, England on the 21st August 1945 as a ‘released internee’. The ship's register listed his place of residence as 15 Bolt Street, Newport, Wales.

Antonio died in Newport, Wales on the 11th March 1976.

Tatura, Australia. January 1943. Group of Italian internees from overseas now interned at Tatura Internment Camp. Back row, left to right: S. Ferrarin; A. Alonzi; G. Baldelli; E. Galante; G. Felloni; Mertes. Front row: G. Crolla; G. Pelosi; G. Mocogni; P. Mocogni. (AWM Image 030188/06