Released as a special case

Giovanni Crolla was born in Picinisco (Frosinone) Italy on the 23rd June 1878.  He has arrested on the 10th June 1940 in Scotland where he was living with his wife Presiosa at 13 Union Place, Edinburgh. He listed his occupation as Restaurant Proprietor.

In 1921, according to the Scottish Census, Giovanni lived with his wife Presiosa and children Maria and Michele at 257 Great Junction Street Edinburgh. Giovanni listed his occupation as Ice Cream Saloon.

Family Portrait: the Scots-Italians listed Giovanni Crolla and M Arcangelo as operating the Deep Sea Restaurant at 11 Union Place, Edinburgh in the 1930s. By 1940, Giovanni was tenant of a shop/s at 10 and 11 Union Place.

Upon arrival on the 3rd September 1940 in Melbourne, Australia onboard the Dunera, Giovanni was taken to the Broadmeadows Military Hospital along with seven other Italians and the two Italian doctors.  The group would be transferred to Tatura Camp 2B on the 20th September 1940 and reunited with their compatriots.

Notations on Giovanni’s British records stated: 30th June 1941 Alien is unwilling to undertake the return journey to UK in order to appear before the I.A.C.  A year later, while at Loveday Camp, South Australia, Giovanni received permission to return to the UK subject to conditions.  He departed Loveday Camp 10, South Australia on the 29th June 1942 and arrived at Tatura Camp, Victoria on the 9th July 1942 travelling via Broadmeadows Military Camp.

He departed Tatura Camp on the 17th July 1942 with 16 other UK Italian internees. They embarked the SS Themistocles in Sydney and disembarked in Liverpool, England on the 17th October 1942. Giovanni was reinterned. 

On the 17th April 1943, Giovanni was released as a special case. 

Giovanni died on the 25th November 1970.

1921 Scottish Census Giovanni Crolla