Permission to retain Mr D Schiavi

Dante Schiavi was born in San Michele di Morfasso (Piacenza) Italy on the 28th November 1900. He was living at 41 Crozier Street, London, England when he was arrested on the 11th June 1940. Widowed, with his only child living in Italy, he named his sister-in-law Bianca Schiavi of San Michele di Morfasso as his next of kin.

From the 12th to the 27th January 1943, Dante was in the 28 Australian Camp Hospital, Waranga.  He had had his appendix removed. It appeared that a hernia developed not long after for which he wore a truss.

His application to return to the UK was refused on the 11th January 1944 and the details for refusal, might have been the reason why he was sent to Loveday Camp 10D on the 7th March 1944.  He returned to Tatura Camp 2B on the 2nd August 1944 and was ‘released on parole’ for work with the Civil Aliens Corps in forestry.  A medical report deemed him unfit for strenuous work on the 25th September 1944 and he was transferred from Peechelba Camp to Scarsdale Camp, a pine plantation.

On the 11th January 1945, another medical report saw a suggestion that he be changed from scrub clearing to pruning but on the 28th February 1945 the Civil Aliens Corps manager deemed he was no use to them and the Allied Works Council should not send him to report again for work. 

From the 10th March to the 3rd June 1945, Dante was sent to work at St Vincent’s Hospital.  The hospital secretary on the 31st May 1945 applied to retain Dante as an employee.

On the 22nd August 1945, Dante embarked the SS Mauretania in Sydney for return to the UK. The ship arrived in Liverpool, England on the 23rd September 1945 and Dante listed his address for the ship’s register as 19a Regent Street, off Page Street, Westminster.

Dante died on the 29th September 1967 in London.  His probate record notified his address as 59A Agar Grove, Camden Town.