'Camp life on the Isle of Man in WW2'
Date(s): 1981 (2005)
Scope & Content: Typescript transcription of Italian internee Camillo D'Alessandro's 1981 memoirs. He recalls life in a Douglas internment camp and, prior to this, time spent in a holding camp (a disused cotton mill, outside Liverpool).
D'Alessandro had expected to be despatched to an Australian internment camp from his UK camp. His fortunes changed after the sinking of the 'Arandora Star' for he was sent to the Isle of Man where one of his few friends was the camp doctor, an Italian survivor of the sinking of this transport vessel. He writes frankly about camp confinement, his connection with Captain Hindmarsh from the Intelligence Office whom he taught Italian, his examination by a Special Commission and the circumstances of his release. In his closing paragraph he reflects on his interment experience, 'The initial shock of being suddenly and without warning removed from family and daily life. It lasted some time, increased by barbed wire, armed sentries, no news, no post and a feeling of inert timeless suspension'.
Administration / Biographical History: D'Alessandro was born in Italy in 1901 to an Italian father and English mother. He was interned as an enemy alien in June 1940 because whilst he had lived in England since 1935 and had married an English woman he had retained his Italian passport. The memoirs were written in 1981 and sent to the daughter of Captain Hindmarsh (mentioned in the text). The transcription was produced in 2005.
Language: English
Extent: 2 pages
Item name: Transcribed memoirs
Collection: Manuscript Archive
Level: ITEM
ID number: MS 11185
Record class: Private
Access conditions: No regulations or restrictions are implemented on this material. Advance notification of a research visit is advisable by emailing library@mnh.gov.im