Tragedy for Giovanni

Giovanni Moruzzi was married to Maria Sartori for only six months before he was interned.  He was on the top deck of the ‘Arandora Star’ when the torpedo hit and although he could not swim, decided to jump over the barbed wire into the sea where he managed to take hold of some driftwood.  He shared this with his brother Pietro, though Pietro did not survive the cold water and slowly slipped below the water. 

Giovanni was a lorry driver, delivering ice for Gatti Ice Suppliers and then, after, worked in the family coffee house in Regents Street.  He lived in Carbone Road, SW11 at the time.

The ordeal of the ‘Arandora Star’, the next sea journey on the ‘SS Dunera’ and the internment in Tatura had a dramatic effect on Giovanni and it was said that he was not the same person when he returned to the UK.  He is known for his kindness and willingness to help others.  He died in 1991 and is buried in Italy.

(From The Arandora Star Tragedy 75 Years on edited by Peter Capella)

Giovanni Moruzzi (From The Arandora Star Tragedy 75 Years on edited by Peter Capella)