Soho Café Owner

Pietro Strina was born in Valmozzola (Parma) Italy on the 20th April 1894. At the time of his arrest on the 11th June 1940, he was living at 38 Frith Street, Soho, London and was employed as a cook.

He had arrived in England in 1907 and worked as a waiter. In 1911, he was living with his parents and two brothers at 39 Winchester Street, London.  He served in the Italian Army from 1915 until his return to London in 1919.

Pietro entered a business partnership with two others at Dean Street, Soho in 1927-1928 but the partnership was dissolved.  In 1936, Pietro opened his own business in Frith Street, Soho which during his internment closed. 

While interned, his wife Maria worked at the Hotel Savoy, his son Vittorio was serving in the British Army and his son Delmo who had served in the same unit as his brother was medically discharged.

A notation on his British Record recorded that on the 25th November 1942 he had release authorisation to return to the UK for appeal, but this was cancelled on the 8th December 1942.

While in Australia, Pietro worked in the compound kitchen, though his involvement was limited at times due to lumbago.  He was sent to the 28 Australian Camp Hospital, Waranga from the 26th November 1943 to the 10th December 1943.

Pietro was ‘released on parole’ to work at Dookie Agricultural College on the 29th May 1944 together with Vittorio Tolaini and Luigi Beschizza.

He returned to England onboard the SS Athlone Castle, arriving at Liverpool on the 29th March 1945. Pietro died in 1970.

Tatura, Australia. January 1943. Group of Italian internees from overseas now interned at Tatura Internment Camp. Back row, left to right: D. Accini; P. Mariutto; C. Casali; V. Gallinari; R. Freppoli; M. Pini. Front row: P. Strina; Gio. Moruzzi; V. Corinti; A. Sidoli.