Newly Weds Interned

Angelo and Domenica Biasoni had been married less than a year when they were interned. Angelo was sent to Australia and Domenica to the Isle of Man. Domenica's release authorisation was noted as the 26th January 1944 with Angelo being released on the 5th June 1945.

Angelo Biasoni was born on the 25th July 1899 in Maniago (Udine) Italy.  At the time of his arrest on the 10th June 1940, he was living at 73 Cathedral Road, Cardiff, Wales.  Angelo had married Domenica Berni in Bristol c. July 1939 and they had honeymooned in Italy.  Domenica was arrested on the 13th June 1940 and taken to Holloway Prison until her transfer to the Isle of Man on the 27th January 1941.

Angelo’s documents recorded that he was on staff of the Italian Embassy in England and was the representative in Cardiff for the shipping branch of Italian Railways.  He believed that he was overlooked for the list of Italian diplomatic personnel who were repatriated to Italy in June 1941.  His uncle was the Minister of Communications and Director General of State Railways in Rome who was also a member of Mussolini’s Cabinet.  While in Australia, Angelo received a monthly stipend of £4:12:8 from the Italian government.

In a letter dated the 10th July 1941, Angelo encouraged his wife to take lessons in German as he considered it a good useful pastime and also suggested that Domenica make friends with the German ladies to help with her German.  He himself was taking German classes twice a week.

In December 1942, Angelo’s request for release to return to England was refused which he wrote was ‘unjust and cruel’. In March 1944, Angelo returned to Loveday to Camp 14D.  His Loveday report stated that he was a ‘good intelligent type’ who showed a willingness to work in Australia until he was repatriated to England.

His letters however indicated that Major Layton was trying to force him to go out to work instead of sending him home to England and that he considered he had priority above all other Italian internees to be returned to the UK.

His release to the UK was approved on the 19th February 1945 and he arrived in Liverpool England on the Dominion Monarch on the 19th April 1945. On the ship’s register he listed his address as 68 Queens Road Clifton, Bristol and his occupation as accountant. He was re-interned until the 5th June 1945.

Tatura, Australia. January 1943. Group of Italian internees from overseas now interned at Tatura Internment Camp. Back row, left to right: Dr G. Manzocchi; Dr G. Zezi; E. Bravo; F. Parravicini; P. Mariutto; A. Biasoni; G. Galbiati. Front row: F. Mattiussi; F. Mazzina; G. Borghi; G. V. Lembo. (AWM Image 030188/15 Photographer Colin Halmarick)