Release: Category 15

Marcello Papa was born in Castrocielo (Frosinone) Italy on the 10th December 1888. At the time of his arrest, he was living in Edinburgh, Scotland and working as a shopkeeper/confectioner. Marcello lived with his wife Madelena (née Margiotta), two sons and one daughter at 15 Lochrin Place, Edinburgh.

Marcello's daughter-in-law Louise Palmer further explained: Marcello was married twice.  His first wife Immacolata (aka Margaret) died in 1919 of enteric fever. My husband Alex believes that the two children from this marriage, a son, Francis (aka Frank) and daughter Adelaide (aka Ada), were left in the care of their mother Immacolata’s family, the Coppolas. 

Marcello married Madelana in 1924 and they had three children:  A daughter Madalena (Ena), a son Remo (Ray) and a son Alessandro (Alex) and they lived at 15 Lochrin Place in Edinburgh. (Palmer L 23.1.2025)

Wedding of Marcello Papa and Madelena Margiotta 1924

(courtesy of Louise and Alex Palmer)

Marcello’s release to appear before the Italian Advisory Committee was approved on the 8th January 1942.  He departed Tatura Camp on the 17th July 1942 with 16 other UK Italian internees.

They embarked the SS Themistocles in Sydney, New South Wales and disembarked in Liverpool, England on the 17th October 1942. At the time of notification, Marcello was at Loveday Camp 10 and he travelled from Loveday Camp, South Australia to Tatura Camp, Victoria via Broadmeadows Military Camp, Victoria.

Upon arrival in the UK, he was re-interned until his release on the 18th December 1942 under Category 15: Category 15: Persons who had a British born or naturalised son serving in the British Navy, Army or Airforce. (White Paper, Civilian Internees of Enemy Nationality, Home Office)

On the 2nd July 1963, Marcello died in Edinburgh.

Marcello Alessandro Papa c. 1917 WW1 (courtesy of Louise Palmer)