Perfumery Agent
- Joanne Tapiolas
- Jan 13
- 2 min read
Umberto Scaravelli was born in Torino, Italy on the 20th September 1880. He was living with his wife Luisa at 125 Alexandra Road, St Johns Wood, England when he was arrested on the 11th June 1940.
He had worked in the perfumery business in Torino before his arrival in London in 1912. He initially worked in Tooting, before opening a Ladies’ Hairdressing business with his brother Luigi at 37 Goode Street, London which closed just after the war commenced. By his own admission, he had joined the Fascist Party in 1936 as he was told it would assist his business.
Umberto had worked in the business as well as spending time at the perfumery laboratories at Fox at Raneleigh Park and Grumond at Shepherds Bush. He also had casual employment as a lady’s stylist at Gaumont British Screens.
He had studied music and sang as a tenor in Italy and England. Umberto was for a time a member of the Carlo Rosa Opera Company.
In Australia, he was a constant worker in the garden party and also worked making fenders. Umberto associated with Giovanni Cua and Francesco Capra and the older men in camp.
Umberto was anxious for work release in his trade and financial hardship might have been the reason as his camp credit balance was zero. His British record noted ‘RA in Aus' “Age” 3rd October 1944. On the 16th November 1944 he was released to Melbourne.
The Italian Liaison Officer Mr Vaccari guaranteed the authorities that Umberto would not become a burden on the state. It is likely Mr Vaccari found a place within the Italian community of Melbourne for Umberto to live and work.
Along with eight other UK Italian internees, Umberto boarded the SS Mauretania in Sydney on the 22nd August 1945. He arrived in Liverpool, England on the 23rd September 1945 as a ‘released internee’. He was 65 years old.
Umberto died on the 23rd October 1951 at the Italian Hospital, Queens Square, London.
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