Well mannered and well educated

Dorando Borzoni was born in Albareto (Parma) Italy on the 1st December 1909.  He married Dalide Licinio in 1929 and in 1930, their son Remo was born. He was arrested on the 10th June 1940 and his Australian record noted Dorando’s address as 160 St James Residence, Brewer Street, London, England. He was listed as a café proprietor but while in Australia, he also stated cook and butcher as his occupations.

His letters to family members imply his political allegiances. In June 1941, he wrote a letter to his son Remo who was living in Bertorella (Parma) Italy and told him to become a ‘good Italian and a faithful fascist’. In a letter to his sister in September 1941, Dorando expressed his disgust at his brother Romeo’s ‘outrageous behaviour’ in joining the Pioneer Corps.

Dorando's request to be returned to England for appearance before a tribunal was refused on the 1st January 1944. Like many Italians who hoped for victory for Italy, as the war progressed they realised the cause was lost. It was not until December 1943, that Dorando involved himself with camp work when be began work as a mess orderly.

From the 8th March 1944 until the 10th January 1945, Dorando was allocated to Loveday Camp 14D, South Australia. His appearance at an Overseas Internees Investigation Board hearing on the 2nd October 1944, summarised that Dorando was admittedly a former Fascist but while in Loveday Camp, his behaviour was good and his record clean and he worked as a cook.  He was considered well mannered, well-educated and of open countenance.

On the 19th February 1945, his release to the UK was advised and he was transferred to Liverpool Camp, NSW until his departure from Sydney on the 4th March 1945 on the Dominion Monarch. He arrived in Liverpool, England on the 19th April 1945. On the ship’s register, his address was listed as Orange Street, London and his occupation as restaurant proprietor.  Dorando continued his internment until his release on the 8th June 1945.

Tatura, Australia. January 1943. Group of Italian internees from overseas now interned at Tatura Internment Camp. Back row, left to right: D. Borzoni; E. Previdi; R. Pini; R. Lombardelli; D. Schiavi; G. Roscelli; A. Pini. Front row: S. Pini; D. Cenci; L. Bertorelli; A. Saccomani. (AWM Image 030188/12 Photographer Colin Halmarick)