POW #:
ARRESTED: June 10, 1940
RELEASED: July 11, 1940
NATURALIZED: Yes
BORN: 1900
DIED:

CAMP(S):
TOWN/CITY: Toronto
MARITAL STATUS: Married
OCCUPATION: Fruit Peddler

Agostino Badali and his family lived at 4 Graham Gardens in Toronto. He worked as a fruit peddler to support his four children. Badali was arrested by mistake because he shared the same name as a 25-year-old fascist from Toronto. The younger Agostino Badali had fought for Italy during the invasion of Ethiopia in 1935. The Canadian government realized the error that had been made and the elder Agostino Badali was released a month after his initial arrest. It is not known whether Badali was sent to Petawawa.

Biography by Travis Tomchuk

SOURCE:

• Library and Archives Canada, RCMP: RG 18, Vol. 3563, File C-11-19-2-3, Part 1, Memorandum from the RCMP to the Inter-Departmental Committee, July 11, 1940.

POW #: P1113
ARRESTED: June 10, 1940
RELEASED: December 06, 1941
NATURALIZED: No
BORN:
DIED:

CAMP(S): Kananaskis, Petawawa
TOWN/CITY: Vancouver
MARITAL STATUS: Married
OCCUPATION: Shoemaker

RELEASE NOTES: Conditional release (see below)

Rino Baesso arrived in Canada in 1924. He lived at 623 Atlantic St. in Vancouver. Baesso was married and had two children, but his family lived in Italy. 

Baesso was a member of the fascist group Circolo Giulio Giordani. In a letter to the acting Minister of Justice, Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Commissioner S.T. Wood stated, “A review of [Baesso’s] case has now been completed, and in view of the fact that organized Fascism is non-existent in Vancouver, and as we have no definite proof that this man ever engaged in any subversive activities, the undersigned is satisfied that the release on parole of Baesso would not be detrimental to the best interests of the State, and it is therefore, recommended that this Subject be conditionally released from Internment.”

Baesso’s release conditions were as follows: he had to report to RCMP once a month, could not change his place of residence or leave Vancouver without the consent of RCMP, and was forbidden to be involved in fascist activities or organizations.

Biography by Travis Tomchuk

SOURCES:

• Library and Archives Canada, Custodian of Enemy Property: RG 117, Vol. 691, Internee File 7942, “Rino Baesso.”
• Library and Archives Canada, RCMP: RG 18, Vol. 3563, File C-11-19-2-3, Part 5, Letter from S.T. Wood, RCMP Commissioner, to Joseph-Enoil Michaud, Minister of Justice, Dec. 1, 1941.

POW #: P188
ARRESTED: June 10, 1940
RELEASED: June 19, 1940
NATURALIZED:
BORN:
DIED:

CAMP(S): Petawawa
TOWN/CITY: Ottawa
MARITAL STATUS: Unknown
OCCUPATION:

Dr. Lorenzo Baiocchi lived at 536 Laurier Ave. West in Ottawa and was interned for only nine days.

In government documents, he is noted as an Italian consular official. On his release, he was deported from Canada. It would appear that he returned to Italy.

Also mentioned in the file are Tommasso Mari (P239) and Joseph Sabino (P262). Although these two have prisoner of war numbers, they are not noted as internees elsewhere in the government documents that were accessed by researchers. Mari is a well-known figure, but a published source suggests he chose to be repatriated to Italy (along with his wife Giuseppina) instead of internment.

Regardless of whether Baiocchi chose to be deported, his case and that of Mari and Sabino, indicate the challenge in determining which of the individuals detained by authorities should also be considered internees.

Biography by Travis Tomchuk and Lucy Di Pietro
 

SOURCES:

• Library and Archives Canada, Canadian Armed Forces, RG 24, Vol. 6586, File 5-1-1.
• Library and Archives Canada, Custodian of Enemy Property, RG 117, Vol. 642, Internee File 2834, “Lorenzo Baiocchi.”
• Principe, Angelo. The Darkest Side of the Fascist Years: The Italian-Canadian Press: 1920-1942. Toronto: Guernica. 1999.

POW #: P718
ARRESTED: June 14, 1940
RELEASED: December 27, 1940
NATURALIZED: 1923
BORN: August 16, 1894
DIED:

CAMP(S): Petawawa
TOWN/CITY: Windsor
MARITAL STATUS: Married
OCCUPATION: Locomotive hostler, New York Central Railway

Luigi Balestrini was born in Porto San Giorgio, Marche, Italy. He came to Canada in 1912 and was naturalized in 1923. The following year he began working for the New York Central Railway, and he was still employed by this company at the time of his arrest. Balestrini was married and had five children who ranged in age from 14 to 24. The family lived at 1259 McKay Ave. in Windsor.

Balestrini was a member of the Order Sons of Italy because of the benefits (health and death) that it provided members. He stated that he had never been a member of a fascist organization and did not support Benito Mussolini nor the government of Italy.

After the outbreak of World War II, Balestrini collected $250 from his Round House Gang to donate to the Canadian Red Cross.

While Balestrini was interned, W.L. Best – Chairman of the Canadian Legislative Board of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Fireman and Enginemen – collected many letters and petitions from Windsor citizens. Most of them were Canadians who spoke highly of Balestrini. They testified to his excellent character and integrity.

Biography by Travis Tomchuk

SOURCES:

• Library and Archives Canada, J.D. Hyndman Fonds: MG30, E182, Vol. 14.
• Library and Archives Canada, RCMP, RG18, Vol. 3568, File B.
• Windsor Police Services Board and Windsor Police Service, RG8, Criminal Records Branch, Prisoner Registers, Unit 11, 1940, Windsor Public Library Archives.

POW #: P292
ARRESTED: June 10, 1940
RELEASED: December 05, 1940
NATURALIZED: March 18, 1922
BORN:
DIED:

CAMP(S): Petawawa
TOWN/CITY: Other Ontario
MARITAL STATUS: Widowed
OCCUPATION: Employee, Northern Rubber Company

Girolamo Barbaro’s date of arrival in Canada is unknown. He worked for the Northern Rubber Company from 1925 until he was interned.

Barbaro’s wife died in 1934. In 1940, the couple’s five children ranged in age from 14 to 21 years. The family lived at 205 Ferguson St. in Guelph. During Barbaro’s internment, his two oldest children worked and together earned $80 to $100 per month.

Following Barbaro’s release in December 1940, the family moved to a bigger home at 142 Elizabeth St., after selling their first home. Barbaro was employed by Taylor Forbes Limited.

Biography by Travis Tomchuk
 
SOURCE:

• Library and Archives Canada, Custodian of Enemy Property, RG117, Vol. 668, Internee File 4957, “Girolamo Barbaro.”

POW #: P824
ARRESTED: June 10, 1940
RELEASED: October 23, 1941
NATURALIZED:
BORN: March 16, 1895
DIED:

CAMP(S): Petawawa
TOWN/CITY: Hamilton
MARITAL STATUS: Unknown
OCCUPATION:

RELEASE NOTES: Conditional release upon undertaking Regulation 24 (Defence of Canada Regulations) and required to report monthly to the authorities

Very little information exists on Vito (Harry) Barrese. He was born in 1895 in Castroreale, Messina, Sicily, Italy. He became a citizen (a naturalized British subject) in 1933.

For reasons unknown, he was no longer required to report monthly to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) beginning on January 16, 1943.

Biography by Travis Tomchuk
 

SOURCES:

• Library and Archives Canada, Canadian Armed Forces, RG 24, Vol 6586 File 5-1-1
• Library and Archives Canada, RCMP, RG18, Vol. 3568, File B.
• Library and Archives Canada, RCMP, RG18, F-3, Vol. 3563, Part 6.

POW #: P451
ARRESTED: June 10, 1940
RELEASED: March 07, 1942
NATURALIZED:
BORN:
DIED:

CAMP(S): Petawawa
TOWN/CITY: Montreal
MARITAL STATUS: Married
OCCUPATION: Heeler, A.D. Sebastiani Inc.

Prior to his internment, Luigi Barrucco rented an apartment at 4–3903 St. James St. with his wife and 13-year-old son. He was employed by A.D. Sebastiani who owned a shoe company. During World War II, Sebastiani was not interned with Barrucco but rather placed under house arrest. Following Barrucco’s arrest in June 1940, the $26 a month rent was not paid for that month. However, his wife and son were allowed to remain in the apartment at least until the end of June.

Biography by Travis Tomchuk

SOURCE:

• Library and Archives Canada, Custodian of Enemy Property, RG117, Vol. 649, Internee File 3323, “Luigi Barrucco.”

POW #: P284
ARRESTED: June 10, 1940
RELEASED: February 06, 1943
NATURALIZED:
BORN: 1897
DIED:

CAMP(S): Petawawa, Fredericton
TOWN/CITY: Hamilton
MARITAL STATUS: Married
OCCUPATION: Casually employed

RELEASE NOTES: Had to report monthly to the authorities

Sabatino Bartolini lived with his wife and two children at 27 Case St. in Hamilton. For several years prior to his internment, Bartolini was casually employed as a labourer for Luigi Mascia, who owned race horses. He was also the uncle of Mascia’s wife Rosina. Bartolini was previously employed as a brewer’s agent.

The reasons for his release are not known. According to his great-niece, Phyllis Morreale, it resulted from a payout, which she describes as extortion. They had also paid for the release of her father – Luigi Mascia.

Following his release, Bartolini had to adhere to a number of conditions. These included no contact with fascist organizations, notifying the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) of any change of address or travel outside of Montreal, and assisting with Canada’s war effort.

Biography by Travis Tomchuk

SOURCES:

• Library and Archives Canada, Custodian of Enemy Property: RG117 Vol. 654, Internee File 3676, “Sabatino Bartolini.”
• Library and Archives Canada, RCMP: RG18, Vol. 3568, File B.
• Phyllis Morreale and Rita Morreale. Personal Interview. August 9, 2011. Columbus Centre Collection.

POW #: P246
ARRESTED: June 10, 1940
RELEASED: December 03, 1940
NATURALIZED:
BORN: November 03, 1899
DIED:

CAMP(S): Petawawa
TOWN/CITY: Toronto
MARITAL STATUS: Married
OCCUPATION: Salesperson, furniture department, T. Eaton Company

RELEASE NOTES: Unconditional release

Alfredo Bassanesi was born in Milan, Italy and arrived in Canada in 1924. That same year, he began working for the T. Eaton Company. Bassanesi was so well respected by his employer that he was promoted to section head of the furniture department, where he was partially responsible for buying as well as selling furniture.

Bassanesi was married to Ida, and the couple had two daughters: Eva and Rina. The family lived at 2 Selby St. in Toronto.

During Bassanesi’s internment, Ida asked the T. Eaton Company to write a letter to the Deputy Minister of Justice testifying to her husband’s loyalty and integrity. A letter was sent by Eaton’s staff superintendent I.R. Lewis to the Deputy Minister on July 27, 1940. The company also sent the letter to Justice Fortier, one of the judges appointed by the Minister of Justice to review the cases of internees.

Bassanesi was involved in operating the Petawawa canteen and was able to turn a profit. This money was “distributed back toward the comfort of the internees.”

After his release in December 1940, Bassanesi lived at 25 Scarth Rd. He returned to his job with the T. Eaton Company in early 1941.

Biography by Travis Tomchuk

SOURCES:

• Eaton’s Records, Alfredo Bassanesi (Wartime Internment), File F229-8-0-336, B253759, Archives of Ontario.
• Library and Archives Canada, Custodian of Enemy Property, RG 117, Vol. 648, Internee File 3259, “Alfredo Bassanesi.”

POW #: P429
ARRESTED: June 10, 1940
RELEASED: March 20, 1942
NATURALIZED: No
BORN: February 10, 1902
DIED: 1981

CAMP(S): Petawawa
TOWN/CITY: Montreal
MARITAL STATUS: Married
OCCUPATION: Sales agent, Martini and Rossi; Secretary-Treasurer of San Marco Co. Ltd.

RELEASE NOTES: Conditional release (see below)

Fiore Annibale Battigalli arrived in Canada in the late 1920s. At the time of his arrest he lived at 1495 McKay St. in Montreal. Battigalli’s employer, Martini and Rossi, imported wines for mass. However, he did not make enough at this job and supplemented his income by teaching Italian and English at the Centro Canadese di Studi Italiano (Institute of Italian Culture). He was also the Secretary-Treasurer of San Marco Co. Ltd. where he worked closely with Dr. Vittorio Vincenzo Restaldi.

At the time of his arrest, Battigalli was engaged to Felicia Delasago (b. 1912 in Montreal) whom he would later marry. He had met her as one of his Italian-language students at the Institute of Italian Culture. Felicia eventually worked as Annibale’s secretary at the Institute and the couple were engaged prior to Annibale’s arrest. Annibale helped establish the Institute of Italian Culture with the aid of Cavaliere Giuseppe Brigidi, the Italian consul in Montreal. The Institute was located in the same building as the consulate.

At the Petawawa Internment camp, Battigalli worked in the kitchen and was responsible for inventory.  He also tended a garden and grew various vegetables.

Battigalli lived in Hut 11 at Petawawa, the same hut that Vincenzo Poggi was assigned to upon his re-internment. As Poggi recalled:

I was interned at Petawawa on the 6th January 1942. That same day P/W Nello Trasciatti and other fascist leaders within the camp refused to allow me living quarters in hut 11. The reasons given was that I was not a good fascist and only good fascists were desired in that particular hut. On the advice of P/W [Annibale] Battagali, they decided to take me in but stated that they would watch me closely. I was to be quiet and they would tolerate me.

Battigalli’s release conditions were as follows: he had to report to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) once a month, could not change his place of residence or leave Montreal without the consent of RCMP, and was forbidden to be involved in fascist activities or organizations.

In 1943, Annibale and Felicia were married and would have two daughters, Lydia and Anita. Annibale had difficulty finding work after his release because he was Italian Canadian, but was able to get a job as a chemist.  

Biography by Travis Tomchuk
 

SOURCES:

• Letter by Vincenzo Poggi. CWM 20020203-020, Canadian War Museum.
• Library and Archives Canada, Custodian of Enemy Property: RG 117, Vol. 697, Internee File 12763 “Fiore Annibale Battigalli.”
• Library and Archives Canada, Custodian of Enemy Property: RG117, Vol. 1967, Internee File 3689 “V.V. Restaldi.”
• Interview with Felicia Batigalli, June 21, 2011.  Italian Canadians as Enemy Aliens: Memories of WWII, Columbus Centre Collection.

POW #: P904
ARRESTED: September 10, 1940
RELEASED: March 29, 1943
NATURALIZED: Yes
BORN:
DIED:

CAMP(S): Petawawa, Fredericton
TOWN/CITY: Other Ontario
MARITAL STATUS: Married
OCCUPATION: Criminal

RELEASE NOTES: Conditional release upon subscribing to a special undertaking

Domenico (Dominic) Belcastro was born in Italy. He immigrated to Australia and was naturalized on April 27, 1928. Belcastro arrived in Canada later that year, on December 14, 1928.

Belcastro was known for his criminal activities as a counterfeiter and an arsonist. In 1937 and 1938, he was suspected of having been involved in two murders. However, there was little evidence against him and he was not brought to trial.

In 1940, Belcastro presented himself to the Guelph Police to register as an enemy alien. On September 10, 1940, Belcastro was arrested and held at the local county jail for a number of reasons: his past criminal activities, the potential danger he could pose if allowed to remain at large, and his experience with explosives. During the investigation, Police Magistrate Watt and Reverend Father P.L. O’Brien, both of Guelph, agreed that Belcastro was dangerous and should be interned. O’Brien further stated that Belcastro was linked to Domenico Longo, who was interned the same day that Belcastro was arrested, and Tomasso Rasso, and that all three men were part of “an international gang” (RG 18, F-3, Vol. 3563, Part 2).

Belcastro was sent to Petawawa Internment Camp on October 24, 1940. At the time of his arrest and internment, Belcastro resided with his wife, Victoria, at 17 Walter St. in Guelph. Their son lived in Italy.

While interned, Belcastro wrote a letter requesting the return of his vehicle ownership papers for his Hudson Sedan, so that he could begin the transfer of ownership to his wife.

Belcastro was transferred to Fredericton Internment Camp. He was released on March 29, 1943.

Biography by Louanne Aspillaga

SOURCES:

• Library and Archives Canada, Custodian of Enemy Property: RG 117, Vol. 2044, Internee File 55758 ,“Dominic Belcastro.”
• Library and Archives Canada, RCMP: RG 18, F-3, Vol. 3563, Part 2.
• Minister’s Orders, List V2.

POW #: P248
ARRESTED: June 10, 1940
RELEASED: April 11, 1941
NATURALIZED: Yes
BORN: June 28, 1890
DIED: 1963

CAMP(S): Petawawa
TOWN/CITY: Toronto
MARITAL STATUS: Married
OCCUPATION: Restaurateur & hotel owner

RELEASE NOTES: Unconditional release

In 1940, Angelo Belfanti was a prominent member of the Italian community in Toronto, having lived in the city since 1920. He had married Clelia Busca (née Bollo), who had arrived in Canada ca. 1894. Clelia’s first husband, a tannery worker in Bracebridge, ON, had been killed during World War I, fighting for the Italian military. She had two children, Florence (b. 1914) and Flavio (b. 1912); she had returned to Italy for both of the births.

In 1921 Belfanti and his wife opened a restaurant in a three storey building on Chestnut St. opposite the Bay Bus Terminal. Initially a sign over the door read Italian Restaurant. According to their grandson Flavio Belli, that sign was soon repainted to read Angelo’s Hotel. In its latter years the sign was again changed to read Angelo’s Tavern. The building had a restaurant on the main floor and housed mostly staff, family and friends upstairs.

According to Belli, “Angelo’s”, as it became known, was a gathering place for artists, performers, musicians, bohemians, athletes, politicians and the elite. During Prohibition, they served liquor anyway. Ernest Hemingway, while a reporter for The Toronto Daily, is said to have drunk whiskey out of tea cups at Angelo’s, which soon became the most famous Italian restaurant in Toronto. As a result, government files indicate that Belfanti’s annual income averaged $7,000 to $8,000.

After Italy’s declaration of war on June 10, 1940, Belfanti was arrested and sent to Camp Petawawa. He objected to his internment. In the review of his case by Justice J.D. Hyndman, Belfanti testified that his travels to Italy had been non-political. A diabetic, he had returned to Italy annually from 1936 to 1939 to take baths and for the treatment of a liver disease. He had also purchased a farm in Italy for his parents.

Belfanti knew Tomasso Mari1 and Camillo Vetere1, both vocal fascist supporters, but did not socialize with them. Although, they were patrons of his restaurant, he denied that there was ever any accommodation for meetings of fascists at his place of business. He acknowledged that he was a member of the dopolavoro but denied he belonged to the fascio. 

Belfanti and his wife Clelia noted that their restaurant was largely patronized by English speakers. Loyal to Canada, they had held a tea and raised $94 for the Red Cross. They also purchased $500 in war bonds. In his summary, Justice Hyndman wrote:

At the conclusion of his case I formed a very favourable opinion of this man, but at that time I was under the impression that membership in the Dopolavoro had to be considered as a serious matter and consequently made no recommendation, hoping to get further evidence as to the likelihood of the objector being a danger to the State … Owing to the fact that this man operates a restaurant which might be a very convenient place for meetings, I have given his case very close consideration, and I am satisfied that, so far as the real issue is concerned, namely, his likelihood of being a danger to the State, it would be entirely safe to grant him his liberty, and there would not be the slightest risk in so doing. (JD Hyndman to Minister of Justice, In the Matter of the Defence of Canada Regulations and in the Matter of Angelo Belfanti, 40D-269-4-E-26, 25 Feb 1941, JD Hyndman fonds, MG30, E 182, Vol 14, LAC)

During his internment, Belfanti’s wife and two stepchildren took over the management and operation of the restaurant. They did so under the supervision of Price Waterhouse & Co who had:

…full power to supervise the operation of the business in all matters pertaining thereto and without restricting the generality of the foregoing, including power to enter upon the business premises at any time, examine the books and financial statements of Angelo Belfanti and if thought necessary to protect the interest of the Custodian, audit the books, take stock and prepare statements of the financial standing of Angelo Belfanti, and control the banking arrangements in such a manner as may appear to the supervisor to be necessary. (Appointment of Price Waterhouse & Co as supervisor.  CEP: RG 117 Vol 651 3392, LAC)

The company had been conferred these powers by the Secretary of State on August 1, 1940. Officials from the Custodian of Enemy Property would dine at the restaurant in late September 1940, describing it as “the famous Italian restaurant” and “quite an interesting restaurant”. Belfanti was released in April 1941, and the role of Price Waterhouse & Co was terminated on May 12, 1941.

After his release, Belfanti did not often speak of his internment. His grandson remembers vague references to the experience:

We had a pair of—a salad fork and spoon, but for the mixing bowl, big wooden things that hung on little leather straps on our wall. And I remember them saying that they had been carved in the camp. And I, in my mind, I thought summer camp. But, you know, so I was like, “Oh, you went to camp? I’m going to camp,” you know, and, “No, it wasn’t that kind of camp,” you know. (Flavio Belli. Personal Interview. December 5, 2011. ICEA2011.0032.0002, Columbus Centre Collection)

Along with his family, Belfanti would continue to operate Angelo’s. His step-daughter, Florence, married in 1942, and her husband John Belli would work in the restaurant alongside her. Tragically, Belfanti’s stepson Flavio Busca would die suddenly of pneumonia in 1949. His funeral was attended by local luminaries. After his death, Florence and John Belli would have a more prominent role in the management of the restaurant, until Angelo’s Hotel was closed in December 1957. The building was owned by the University of Toronto and was demolished to make way for the building of a new school of dentistry. Belfanti and his wife retired.  John Belli, Flavio’s father, would continue in the restaurant business for many years to come.

Reflecting on his grandfather, Belli notes:

Oh, my grandfather was a sweetheart. He was a very gentle man. He was a very kind man – very personable. He loved growing things…I do have photographs of him gardening outside around the front in plots, you know. And even in his home, later, in later years, he had fruit trees and chicory growing, chicory and stuff. Lovely, lovely guy. (Flavio Belli. Personal Interview. December 5, 2011. ICEA2011.0032.0002, Columbus Centre Collection)

1. Vetere was a former school teacher and journalist based in Montreal. Some suspect he acted as a paid police informant. He was never interned. Mari was the editor of the fascist newspaper Il Bollettino italo-canadese and secretary to Vice-Consul Ambrosi. In lieu of internment, he chose to be deported to Italy.

Biography by Lucy Di Pietro

SOURCES:

• Interview with Flavio Belli. December 5, 2011. ICEA2011.0032.0002, Columbus Centre Collection.
• Library and Archives Canada, Custodian of Enemy Property (CEP): RG 117, Vol 651, 3392.
• Library and Archives Canada, JD Hyndman fonds: MG30, E 182, Vol 14, JD Hyndman to Minister of Justice, In the Matter of the Defence of Canada Regulations and in the Matter of Angelo Belfanti, 40D-269-4-E-26, 25 Feb 1941.
• Library and Archives Canada, RCMP: RG 18, Vol 3568, File B.
• Nicaso, Antonio. Rocco Perri:The Story of Canada’s Most Notorious Bootlegger. Mississauga: John Wiley & Sons Canada Ltd, 2004.

POW #: P672
ARRESTED: June 10, 1940
RELEASED: April 11, 1941
NATURALIZED:
BORN:
DIED:

CAMP(S): Petawawa
TOWN/CITY: Montreal
MARITAL STATUS: Widowed
OCCUPATION: Architect

Luigi (Louis) Belmonte lived at 418 Pine Ave. in Montreal. His wife Marie had died on May 15, 1940. He was interned less than a month later.

His daughter became a well-known doctor in her field.

Biography by Travis Tomchuk

SOURCES:

• Library and Archives Canada, Custodian of Enemy Property: RG117, Vol. 1983, Internee File 4043, “Louis Belmonte.”
• Interview with Alessandro Biffi. June 23, 2011. ICEA2011.0032.0002, Columbus Centre Collection.

POW #: P334
ARRESTED: June 10, 1940
RELEASED: October 09, 1941
NATURALIZED:
BORN: March 03, 1893
DIED:

CAMP(S): Petawawa
TOWN/CITY: Windsor
MARITAL STATUS: Married
OCCUPATION: Stockperson, Plant 1, Chrysler Company

RELEASE NOTES: Conditional release upon undertaking Regulation 24 (Defence of Canada Regulations) and required to report monthly to the authorities

Alessandro (Alex) Benedetti war born in 1893 in Rome, Italy. He and his wife Maria and their adopted son rented a house at 458 Cataraqui St. in Windsor. While Benedetti was interned, Maria supported herself and her son with $200 she had in savings. She applied for relief when these funds ran out, but it is not clear whether she received it.

Biography by Travis Tomchuk
 

SOURCES:

• Library and Archives Canada, Custodian of Enemy Property: RG117, Vol. 661, Internee File 4352, “Alessandro Benedetti.”
• Library and Archives Canada, RCMP: RG18, Vol. 3568, File B.

POW #: P333
ARRESTED: June 10, 1940
RELEASED: October 22, 1940
NATURALIZED:
BORN:
DIED:

CAMP(S): Petawawa
TOWN/CITY: Windsor
MARITAL STATUS: Married
OCCUPATION: Labourer, City of Windsor

Giovanni Benedetti was married to Pasque Sigui Benedetti and the couple had four children. Of these, only 11-year-old Alda lived at the family home at 407 Mercer St. in Windsor. Peter, aged 25, was married, as was his 20-year-old sister Emma. The other son, Felice, 22, had left Windsor to look for work. Pasque received a relief payment of $27.69 per month to support herself and Alda.

Biography by Travis Tomchuk

SOURCES:

• Library and Archives Canada, Canadian Armed Forces, RG 24, Vol 6586 File 5-1-1
• Library and Archives Canada, Custodian of Enemy Property, RG117, Vol. 661, Internee File 4432, “Giovanni Benedetti.”

POW #: P701
ARRESTED: July 22, 1940
RELEASED: March 05, 1942
NATURALIZED:
BORN: October 10, 1910
DIED:

CAMP(S): Petawawa
TOWN/CITY: Hamilton
MARITAL STATUS: Married
OCCUPATION: Mechanic, Brightside Garage

RELEASE NOTES: Conditional release upon undertaking Regulation 24 (4) (Defence of Canada Regulations)

There is very little information known about Antonio Bertoni. At the time of his arrest, he was married to Antoinette. They had no children. He worked at Brightside Garage in Hamilton, Ontario.

Bertoni was interned on July 22, 1940. During his internment, Bertoni’s wife was ill and spent two months in the hospital. The reasons for his arrest and release are not available. Additional biographical information is lacking.

The Custodian of Enemy Property (CEP) maintained a file on Bertoni. This case indicates the pressure and burden some families faced, long after the internment, in paying the administration fees demanded by CEP:

I am very sorry I have not written sooner concerning my husband’s account. I am not in a position to pay the balance all at once so I’m sending a dollar a week at a time as soon as possible, probably next week. Can you please explain to me why some people have so much more than others to pay concerning this matter? I found my husband’s bill rather high and he didn’t have anything before being interned and neither has he now. Please except [sic] my apologies for not writing sooner and forgetting about the balance owed (Mrs. A. Bertoni, March 27, 1944).

With reference to remarks contained in Mrs. Bertone’s [sic] letter to you to the effect that when her husband was interned he didn’t have anything and still hasn’t, we would point out that original information received from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police prior to our investigation indicated that Bertone was employed, was the owner of certain assets including an automobile, and also had bank accounts. Careful inquiries were necessary to establish the exact position of Bertone’s affairs, notwithstanding the fact that the result of these inquiries was to indicate that Mrs. Bertone’s remarks above-mentioned proved to be substantially correct (Price, Waterhouse & Co. to F.X.A. Biron, Stamped Received April 14, 1942.)

Although by their own admission the investigation indicated that Bertoni had no assets, he was still expected to pay the $20.03 fee to cover the government’s cost.

Biography by Lucy Di Pietro

Do you know…
Why was Antonio Bertoni interned?
What happened to Bertoni after the war?

SOURCES:

• Library and Archives Canada, Custodian of Enemy Property: RG 117, Vol. 670, Internee File 5035, “Antonio Bertoni.”
• Library and Archives Canada, RCMP: RG 18, Vol. 3568, File B.

POW #: P997
ARRESTED: May 29, 1941
RELEASED: August 19, 1941
NATURALIZED: No
BORN: 1908
DIED:

CAMP(S): Petawawa
TOWN/CITY: Montreal
MARITAL STATUS: Married
OCCUPATION:

RELEASE NOTES: Conditional release (see below)

Angelo Bevilacqua came to Canada in 1923. He landed in Halifax and made his way to Montreal. He lived with his wife at 6000 Dumas St.

Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) alleged that Bevilacqua was a member of the Fascio Giovanni Luparini and the dopolavoro. He reportedly had “deep anti-British sentiments.” He was initially arrested on January 30, 1941, and released after having been detained for a brief period. Why this happened in unclear. He was taken into custody in May of the same year and sent to the Petawawa Internment Camp.

Bevilacqua’s release conditions were as follows: he had to report to RCMP once a month, could not change his place of residence or leave Montreal without the consent of RCMP, and was forbidden to be involved in fascist activities or organizations.

Biography by Travis Tomchuk

SOURCES:

• Library and Archives Canada, Custodian of Enemy Property: RG 117, Vol. 691, Internee File 8620, “Angelo Bevilacqua.”
• Library and Archives Canada, RCMP: RG 18, Vol. 3563, File C-11-19-2-3, Part 2, Letter from RCMP to the Inter-Departmental Committee, Dec. 13, 1940.

POW #: P806
ARRESTED: July 20, 1940
RELEASED: September 18, 1941
NATURALIZED: August 13, 1934
BORN: October 26, 1904
DIED:

CAMP(S): Petawawa
TOWN/CITY: Hamilton
MARITAL STATUS: Unknown
OCCUPATION:

RELEASE NOTES: Conditional release upon undertaking Regulation 24 (Defence of Canada Regulations)

Marino Umberto Biagioni was born in 1904 in Borgo a Mozzano, Tuscany, Italy. Little other information is known about Biagioni.

Biography by Travis Tomchuk

SOURCES:

• Library and Archives Canada, Canadian Armed Forces: RG 24, Vol 6586, File 5-1-1.
• Library and Archives Canada, RCMP: RG18, Vol. 3568, File B.

POW #: P721
ARRESTED: July 20, 1940
RELEASED: October 10, 1941
NATURALIZED:
BORN: August 15, 1872
DIED:

CAMP(S): Petawawa
TOWN/CITY: Niagara Region
MARITAL STATUS: Married
OCCUPATION: Unemployed

RELEASE NOTES: Conditional release upon undertaking Regulation 24 (Defence of Canada Regulations) and reporting monthly

There is very little information known about Luigi Bianco. At the time of his arrest, he was 67 years old, and married to Josephine. They had nine adult children: two daughters who were 26 and 42 years of age, and seven sons: the twins were 36 and the other sons were 38, 40, 44, 46 and 48 years of age. Government documents indicate that he was an elderly man, who was supported by his family and at times had been on government relief. He signed his letters with a “+” which means he was probably illiterate. In an interview given in 1985, fellow internee Berlino Colangelo refers to Bianco, noting that he could not read or write, but also that he was on crutches when arrested (Paul Wilson, “The Internees Part 2: Canada’s Forgotten Italian Wartime Prisoners”).

Interned on July 20, 1940, the reasons for Bianco’s arrest and release are not available. We do know from his Custodian of Enemy Property file that he had a policy (#705) with the Order Sons of Italy, Mutual Benefit Society. We know that membership in the Order Sons of Italy and other organizations was a determining factor in the inclusion of names on Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) lists.

Biography by Lucy Di Pietro

Do you know…
Why was Luigi Bianco interned?
What happened to Bianco after the war?
 

SOURCES:

• Library and Archives Canada, Custodian of Enemy Property: RG 117-a-3, Vol. 670, Internee File 5037, “Luigi Bianco.”
• Wilson, Paul. “The Internees Part 2: Canada’s Forgotten Italian Wartime Prisoners.” Hamilton Spectator. February 12, 1985.

POW #: P575
ARRESTED: June 10, 1940
RELEASED: February 13, 1943
NATURALIZED: Yes
BORN: April 23, 1890
DIED: 1955

CAMP(S): Petawawa, Fredericton
TOWN/CITY: Montreal
MARITAL STATUS: Married
OCCUPATION: Owner, A.S. Biff & Co.; General Manager, Personeni Drug Co.

RELEASE NOTES: Conditional release upon agreeing to a Special Undertaking

Alberto Severo Biffi arrived in Canada in 1912. From northern Italy, close to Milan, he came from a large family. He was educated, most likely as a geographer. He met and married Fernande Germaine Gombert, whose family came from Normandy, France. The couple had one son Alessandro.

In Canada, Biffi worked as a salesman and later ran an importing business, focused on Italian goods and products. In 1940, he was also the general manager of Personeni Drug Co., which dealt in Italian patent medicines and was owned by Joseph Personeni, a resident of the United States. At the same time, Biffi served as the Secretary-Treasurer of the Canadian Importers and Traders Association Inc.

According to his son, Biffi enlisted in the Canadian army during World War I. After Italy joined the war on the side of the Allies, Biffi asked to be transferred to the Italian army. He saw action in Greece and Albany. Government documents indicate that he was an officer in the Italian army. He returned to Italy once, in 1927, with his wife. 

There is some discrepancy as to the date of his citizenship. His son, and other accounts note that Biffi became a citizen (a naturalized Bristish subject) soon after his arrival in Canada, in 1916. According to the files of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), he was naturalized in 1933.

Biffi was an active member of the Italian community in Montreal. His son notes that he was the secretary for the fascio organization run out of the Casa D’Italia. According to the RCMP files, he possessed a fascio membership card signed and dated 1935, and also administered and supervised the activities of all 6 branches of the fascio in Montreal.  The police records note that he served as one of the vice presidents of the Dopolavoro Committee of Honour, along with Marino Paparelli and Silvio Walter Narizzano; both would also be interned. Consul Paolo de Simone was the president. He was also a board member and secretary of the Casa D’Italia. Other members (all interned) included: Silvio Walter Narrizzano (elected president on August 11, 1937), Marino Paparelli (vice president), Enrico Pasquale (treasurer); Giulio Romano (advisor), Pietro Garbarino (advisor), and Nicola (Nick) Petrella (member).

Perhaps the most damning allegation made in the police records was that Biffi served as an agent of the Italian government, working for the Organization for Vigilance and Repression of Anti-Fascism (OVRA). This organization served as the secret police under the Italian fascist government. It is unclear what evidence supported this claim.

In speaking of his father’s view of fascism as a political philosophy, Alessandro notes “in fact I know that there were some Canadian fascists, and my father couldn’t stand them because they were political”. Instead, for Biffi, fascism and support for Mussolini seems to have been tied to ethnic identity and pride.  In discussing the Italian involvement and support of the fascio, Alessandro Biffi claims:

Some of them were really enthusiastic. I’ve known a few who seemed to be very enthusiastic about what Mussolini was doing in Italy and from afar he seemed to be doing good. I mean he put—from an economic point of view, he reorganized the country and at the beginning of his reign anyway…I don’t think that here it was very evident, the darker aspect of his rule. So that, il fascio and the other organizations in the Italian community were more a question of patriotism, as Italian, than anything else. I think so. Because, uh, my father was active in the Canadian community and politically he was involved—well I don’t mind saying he was in involved with the Liberal Party and he knew some of the elected members and helped in election time, because he thought that was the party that was leading Canada the proper way. (Alessandro Biffi. Personal Interview. June 8, 2011. ICEA2011.0032.0001, Columbus Centre Collection)

Almost immediately after the Italian declaration of war, Biffi was arrested; he was on his lunch break. The RCMP would later search his home.

Biffi was interned at Camp Petawawa on July 4, 1940. It is unclear if Biffi objected to his internment; evidence of a hearing on his case is not known, although there is a suggestion of a review of some sort on June 22, 1940. He seems to have struggled while interned writing: “Since about a few days ago I am suffering a lot. What a life, and the awful nights, especially towards morning. This is torture for the soul and spirit” (A.S. Biffi, translated letter to wife, February 16, 1941. RG117 Vol 1928, File 2860, LAC). According to his son, Biffi maintained a balanced view about his internment. While he seemed to regret the confinement and lack of freedom, he did note that the internees were well-treated. 

During Biffi’s absence, his wife and son moved into a smaller apartment. They were allowed weekly withdrawals of $20.00 from Biffi’s accounts. His wife would write to G.G. Beckett of the Custodian of Enemy Property noting her inability to meet the payments due on insurance policies: “We have worked so hard and I have been saving for so many years to keep up the payment on these policies and after having lost so much up to now, you find me very desperate at the sight of the only remaining securities falling to pieces. How can anyone expect my husband to meet these payments if he is unable to work?” (Translated letter, September 14, 1942, RG117 Vol 1928, File 2860, LAC). She also noted some frustation that C. Grimaldi (another internee) who owed her husband $350, would not pay his debt, although he had been released for over a year.

The government agents, Price Waterhouse & Co did not seem swayed by her situation, writing to G.G. Beckett: “Mrs. Biffi has made several visits to this office since then and always appears to be well-groomed and not in particular needs of funds. Her boy, about twelve or thirteen years, has just returned from spending the summer at a boy’s camp, but Mrs. Biffi repeated her old claim that she is practically destitute. “ (September 4, 1942, RG117 Vol 1928, File 2860, LAC). They did however recommend that she receive $25.00, mainly “to avoid future visits to our office”.

During his internment, Biffi was named as an estate trustee for the widow Argentina Bibianna Donati Roncarelli, who died on December 27, 1940. Also named were fellow internees, Nello Trasciatti and Pietro Garbarino. The widow’s son, Frank Roncarelli, contested the will in court. Trasciatti and Biffi, both still interned at the time of the hearing, were removed as trustees. The case seemed to center on the legal status of internees and their civil rights, including the ability to act as an executor. The court seems to have ruled that effective upon internment, internees no longer could claim civil rights.

According to materials in the CEP file, Biffi’s assets totaled about $3,500. In his absence, his business was closed. Biffi believed his family and himself were taken advantage of by Julius Lupi (also interned) and Helene McIntosh (estranged wife of internee Umberto Zerillo): “The predicament in which I am, due to the fraud organised by Mr. Lupi and Mrs. Zerillo to rob me of all my assets by taking advantage of the good faith and inexperience of Mrs. Biffi, who was forced to borrow money in order to live and to send my son to school.” (A.S. Biffi, letter to Price Waterhouse & Co., October 11, 1943. RG117 Vol 1928, File 2860, LAC).

According to Biffi, in early 1941, Lupi and Zerillo had convinced his sick wife, who had Power of Attorney to oversee Biffi’s affairs, to sign a bill of sale transferring all of Biffi’s assets to them for the sum of $1.00 and assumption of all outstanding debts against Biffi. Lupi had claimed the transaction was necessary to protect Biffi’s wife from government control of the assets and from the creditors taking possession of the proceeds from the sale of the assets. They agreed to undertake the sale for Mrs. Biffi in return for a commission. However, neither Biffi nor his wife ever received any substantive portion of the proceeds. In 1943, Biffi would sue for recovery of the amount realized from the sale and $5000 in damages. The case was dismissed but Biffi appealed, and it seems legal action was still ongoing in 1946. The results of this case are not known.

Biffi was a close friend and godfather to the daughter of fellow internee Vito Palmeri; he had bonds belonging to Palmeri in his own bank safety box. According to his son, he was also well acquainted with Father Benedetto Maltempi and the writer Mario Duliani – both interned.

Biffi was among the few Italian Canadians internees transferred to Fredericton Internment Camp. It is unclear what evidence supported his continuing internment. The reasons for his release are not known. According to his son, after his return Biffi found a job as an accountant with the Saint James Club. When the war ended, he renewed his contacts with Italian firms and gradually built up his business again. He also expanded the business to include importing marble and products from Belgium.

After the war, Biffi maintained his contacts in the Italian community and returned occasionally to the Casa d’Italia, mainly to eat in the restaurant. In 1953, Biffi travelled to Italy to visit his family. Alberto Severo Biffi died of a heart attack in 1955. His funeral mass was held at the church of La Madonna Della Difesa.

His son, Alessandro Biffi recalls with some irony that he himself spent his professional career teaching physics at the Collège Militaire de Saint-Jean, the location where many of the Italian Canadian men from Montreal were held before being sent to Petawawa:  “Oh yes, a good friend of ours, a very good friend of ours, I invited him several times, a Mr. [Regolo] Gagliacco, to the college. Unfortunately, the year I went to Saint-Jean—that I got the job there—my father died, so I could not bring him to Saint-Jean. I think he would have enjoyed it.” (June 8, 2011. ICEA2011.0032.0001, Columbus Centre Collection).

Biography by Lucy Di Pietro

SOURCES:

• Interview with Alessandro Biffi. June 8, 2011. ICEA2011.0032.0001, Columbus Centre Collection.
• Interview with Alessandro Biffi. June 23, 2011. ICEA2011.0032.0002, Columbus Centre Collection.
• Library and Archives Canada, Custodian of Enemy Property (CEP): RG117, Vol 1928, File 2860.
• Library and Archives Canada, RCMP: RG117, Vol 1983, File 4043.
• Library and Archives Canada, RCMP: RG146, Vol 97, File AH-1999/00227, “The Organization and Activities of the Italian Fascist Party in Canada,” Ottawa, 1937.

POW #:
ARRESTED: June 10, 1940
RELEASED: June 23, 1942
NATURALIZED:
BORN: April 21, 1890
DIED:

CAMP(S): Petawawa
TOWN/CITY: Toronto
MARITAL STATUS: Unknown
OCCUPATION:

RELEASE NOTES: Had to report monthly to the authorities

There is little information on Giovanni Biffis.

Biography by Travis Tomchuk
 

SOURCES:

• Library and Archives Canada, RCMP, RG18, F-3, Vol. 3563, Part 5.
• Library and Archives Canada, RCMP, RG18, Vol. 3568, File B.

POW #: P834
ARRESTED: August 19, 1940
RELEASED: August 02, 1941
NATURALIZED: September 17, 1924
BORN: June 05, 1897
DIED:

CAMP(S): Petawawa
TOWN/CITY: Niagara Region
MARITAL STATUS: Married
OCCUPATION: Unemployed

RELEASE NOTES: Conditional release (see below)

Vincenzo (James) Bilotta was born in Sambascia, Italy. In 1940, he lived on McRae St. in Niagara Falls, Ontario. He was married to a Canadian named Emily Ward. They had seven children:  Theresa (18), Frank (16), Tony (13), Mary (10), Catherine (8), Tommie (6), and Dominic (4). He did not have a bank account nor did he own any property, but he did have a life insurance policy from the Order Sons of Italy worth $250.

On August 19, 1940 Bilotta was arrested by Constable D.A. Hadfield and Constable Thompson from the Niagara Falls Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). His photograph and fingerprints were taken at the St. Catharines police station. In a questionnaire that he filled out upon his arrest, Bilotta stated that he arrived in Canada on April 5, 1914 aboard the S.S. Montreal. He was naturalized on September 17, 1924.  He met his wife in Canada and all of his children were born in Niagara Falls. He was a member of St. Ann’s Club; further, he had been a member of the Order Sons of Italy (Marconi Lodge) since 1923.

According to the RCMP file, Bilotta was an active fascist with great influence in the Italian community of Niagara Falls. In 1939, Bilotta was fired from his job as a labourer with the Streets Department of the City of Niagara Falls due to his “disrespectful and anti-British statements.” Apparently, Bilotta continued to proclaim such sentiments even after his dismissal. Moreover, Bilotta was said to have attended secret meetings with others at various locations, including the home of Luisa Guagneli (one of the four women imprisoned at Kingston Penitentiary).

Bilotta was released a year later on August 2, 1941 at 7:25 a.m. with the following notes:

Released conditionally upon his first subscribing to the Undertaking as set out in Regulation 24 of the Defence of Canada Regulations, and that he report once a month to the N.C.O. in charge of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Niagara Falls, or to such other police officer as such N.C.O. may direct.

Biography by Louanne Aspillaga

SOURCES:

• Library and Archives Canada, Custodian of Enemy Property: RG117, Vol. 675, Internee File 5446 “Vincenzo Bilotta.”
• Library and Archives Canada, RCMP: RG18, Vol. 3568, File B.
• Library and Archives Canada, RCMP: RG18, F-3, Vol. 3563, Part 1.
• Library and Archives Canada, RCMP: RG18, F-3, Vol. 3563, Part 4.
• Minister’s Orders List V1 & V4.

POW #: P419
ARRESTED: June 10, 1940
RELEASED: February 22, 1942
NATURALIZED:
BORN:
DIED:

CAMP(S): Petawawa
TOWN/CITY: Montreal
MARITAL STATUS: Married
OCCUPATION:

RELEASE NOTES: Conditional release upon undertaking Regulation 24 (Defence of Canada Regulations) and reporting twice a month

There is very little information known about Teodoro (Theodore) Binda. At the time of his arrest, he was married to Rosetta Rigassio. The couple had two sons: Alexandre was 14 and Ernest 3. The reasons for his arrest and release are not available.

His name appears on a spring 1940 government list of “Italian members of the fascio, not naturalized whose internment is recommended.” The Office of the Custodian of Enemy Property maintained a file on this individual. He does not seem to have had any significant assets. During his internment his family applied for government relief. Biographical information is lacking.

Biography by Lucy Di Pietro
 

Do you know…
What was the nature of Binda’s activities with the fascio?
What work did Binda do?
What happened to Binda after the war?
 

SOURCES:

• Library and Archives Canada, Custodian of Enemy Property: RG 117, Vol. 656, Internee File 3873, “Teodoro Binda.”
• Library and Archives Canada, RCMP: RG 18, C11-19-2-3-pt 4.
  

POW #: P1153
ARRESTED: September 19, 1940
RELEASED: September 02, 1941
NATURALIZED: July 03, 1905
BORN: May 27, 1883
DIED: May 27, 1963

CAMP(S): Kananaskis, Petawawa
TOWN/CITY: Northern Alberta
MARITAL STATUS: Married
OCCUPATION: Farmer; Owner, grocery store; Operator, Post Office

RELEASE NOTES: Conditional release upon undertaking Regulation 24 (Defence of Canada Regulations), agreeing to a Special Undertaking and reporting to the RCMP closest to his home

Olivo Giovanni (Oliver John) Biollo was born in Campolongo Maggiore, Italy, where he spent his youth. He aspired to become a priest but was refused due to an asthmatic condition. He studied at the Agricultural College in Padua and came to Canada in 1902. He was 19 years old. He was hired to work on the Transcontinental Railway Line, and worked to pay for his passage, before travelling to Winnipeg, Manitoba. In Winnipeg, he joined a partnership to acquire the Savoy Hotel on Portage and Main streets.

Biollo became a Canadian citizen on July 3, 1905. He married Annie D’Mitruzinski on September 10, 1907, at the Holy Ghost Church in Winnipeg. The following year, the Biollos moved to Edmonton where their first son, Oliver Michael, was born. In Edmonton, Biollo owned a store and a movie theatre. During this time, Biollo took a business course at the McTavish Business College. He became president of the Venice Club, or the Italian Society – a social club with approximately 200 members. Many of the club’s members became western Canada’s first Italian colony which settled in Venice-Hylo, Alberta. Biollo was one of the settlers who established this community in 1914.

In Venice, Biollo purchased a small store from Mr. Kiss, and served the settlers and logging camps in the area. On September 8, 1916, the town’s first post office opened and Biollo was the postmaster, a position which he held until 1940. Biollo and his wife also conducted the local exchange for the Alberta government telephones.

On September 19, 1940, Biollo was working in the fields of the family farm when Corporal Fielding, a Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) officer, arrested him. He was taken to Camp Kananaskis.

Biollo was a member of a fascio in Venice and Hylo: “Recent investigation discloses that about two years ago the subject, while involved in a political argument, displayed a Fascist membership card bearing a picture of Mussolini and stated ‘That is the one that should run.’ At the same time he made favourable remarks concerning Italy and Mussolini” (Library and Archives Canada, RCMP). As a result of this investigation, Biollo and his wife were dismissed from their postal duties and the telephone exchange was also removed from their care. Biollo was alleged to have organized and led the Bella Spartaco Fascio, which had 15 members. He was also accused of having organized an Italian school where his daughter taught using Italian textbooks with a fascist agenda. It is also believed that Biollo organized a dance that raised $18.05 for the Ethiopian campaign. The money was sent to Italy. According to Biollo’s daughter, Mary Biollo Doyle, some members of the community accused her father of being a fascist in order to benefit personally.

Other members of the community were supportive of Biollo and worked to help secure his release. James S. Johnston, a British soldier in World War I, gave his testimony in a letter: “I know there is no reason to intern Mr. Biollo and that complaints turned against him were made to satisfy personal spite and grudges and not patriotic reasons… I have lived beside the Italians here twenty-one years and find them good neighbours” (Mary Biollo Doyle, “Descendants of Giuseppi Biollo”).

The letter was submitted by R.D. Tighe K.C. to a hearing before Chief Justice Mitchell. Other community members such as Constable Hanna, Alex Fraser and Adrian Crowe also testified on Biollo’s behalf, and Justice Mitchell reported his findings to Ottawa. After approximately eleven months at the Kananaskis and Petawawa internment camps, Biollo was released. He returned to Venice, where he worked on the family farm and managed the store. 

Due to marital problems, Biollo left Venice in 1943. He moved to Edmonton where he secured a position as night clerk at the Ritz Hotel. His wife stayed in Venice with the younger children, and she managed the store. Biollo built a house in Edmonton, where he lived with some of the other ten children. In 1953, he returned to Venice briefly in an attempt to re-open the store. Given his failed attempt, Biollo went back to Edmonton in 1954. He passed away on his eightieth birthday due to acute pneumonia.

Biography by Krystle Copeland
 

SOURCES:

• Davies, Adriana. “Research Report on Italian-Canadian Internment and Enemy Alien Designation in the Prairies.” July 15, 2011.
• Doyle, Mary Biollo. “Descendants of Giuseppi Biollo.” June 29, 2000.
• Interview with Mary Biollo Doyle. May 5, 2011. Columbus Centre Collection.
• Library and Archives Canada, RCMP: RG 18, F-3, Vol. 3563, Part 1.

POW #: P805
ARRESTED: August 05, 1940
RELEASED: March 25, 1942
NATURALIZED:
BORN: September 06, 1891
DIED:

CAMP(S): Petawawa
TOWN/CITY: Hamilton
MARITAL STATUS: Married
OCCUPATION: Labourer, John Duff and Sons Meat Packers

RELEASE NOTES: Conditional release upon undertaking Regulation 24 (Defence of Canada Regulations) and required to report monthly to the authorities

Giuseppe Boccaccio was married to Concetta Boccaccio and the couple had two sons and two daughters. Their children ranged in age from 6 to 17 at the time of Giuseppe’s arrest. One of these children found employment – likely to help support the family while Giuseppe Boccaccio was interned – but his precise occupation is unknown. He earned $9.10 per week. The Boccaccios lived at 14 Murray St. East in Hamilton. Boccaccio was a citizen, having become a naturalized British subject prior to September 1, 1922.

Prior to his internment, Boccaccio was an Elder in the Italian Church of the Redeemer in Hamilton.

Biography by Travis Tomchuk
 

SOURCES:

• Library and Archives Canada, Canadian Armed Forces, RG 24, Vol 6586 File 5-1-1
• Library and Archives Canada, Custodian of Enemy Property, RG117, Vol. 668, Internee File 4937, “Giuseppe Boccaccio.”
• Library and Archives Canada, RCMP, RG18, Vol. 3568, File B.

POW #: P1033
ARRESTED: June 10, 1940
RELEASED: March 07, 1942
NATURALIZED:
BORN: November 22, 1901
DIED: December 1944

CAMP(S): Kananaskis, Petawawa
TOWN/CITY: Vancouver
MARITAL STATUS: Married
OCCUPATION: Publisher, L’Eco Italo-Canadese

RELEASE NOTES: Shall not reside in an area prohibited to enemy aliens

Alberto G. Boccini was born in Florence, Italy. He was married to Elfie Iussa and the couple had two sons: Roger (b.1935) and Roland (b.1936). Albert, Eflie and Roland migrated to Vancouver prior to World War II and left Roger in the care of his paternal grandmother. Roger would rejoin his mother in Canada in 1949.

Boccini was the publisher of the Italian-language pro-fascist newspaper L’Eco Italo-Canadese. He took over this publication from Bruno Girardi in June 1938. Boccini had acted as an assistant to Girardi since the paper first launched in the fall of 1936.

The money needed to launch L’Eco was raised by the Italian Vice-Consul in Vancouver, Pietro Colbertaldo, the Italian clergy and the community’s various social organizations. The paper was distributed throughout western Canada.

L’Eco published news on local fascist activities, such as those organized by the fascist club Fascio Giulio Giordani, as well as articles describing Italy’s supremacy and fascist propaganda prepared by the Partito Nazionale Fascista in Rome. The paper served the different segments of Vancouver’s Italian Canadian community – veterans of World War I, the Roman Catholic Church and the Order Sons of Italy. Not surprisingly, anti-fascist activities in Vancouver and the British Columbia interior did not receive coverage in the pages of L’Eco.

L’Eco’s coverage of Canadian news was minimal, except during elections where it tended to support the Liberal Party.

The last issue of L’Eco Italo-Canadese was published on June 8, 1940. Two days later Alberto Boccini was arrested and interned.

Boccini contracted tuberculosis while interned at the Petawawa Internment Camp and was released as a result. He died within two years of his diagnosis in December 1944. Elfie moved to Montreal where she eventually married Gabriele Nincheri, the son of artist and former internee Guido Nincheri.

Biography by Travis Tomchuk
 

SOURCES:

• Interview with Roger Boccini-Nincheri. July 21, 2011. Columbus Centre Collection.
• Library and Archives Canada, Custodian of Enemy Property, RG 117, Vol. 674, Internee File 5260, “Alberto Boccini.”
• Principe, Angelo. The Darkest Side of the Fascist Years: The Italian-Canadian Press, 1920-1942. Toronto: Guernica, 1999.

POW #: P455
ARRESTED: June 10, 1940
RELEASED: May 26, 1942
NATURALIZED: April 27, 1925
BORN: November 05, 1884
DIED:

CAMP(S): Petawawa
TOWN/CITY: Montreal
MARITAL STATUS: Married
OCCUPATION: Manager, Savoy Restaurant

RELEASE NOTES: Had to report monthly to the authorities

Michele (Michel) Remo Boerio was born in 1884 in Cavaglià, Piedmont, Italy. At the age of 16, Boerio left Italy for London, England. In 1907, he married Mary and the couple left England for New York City. Seven years later, Mary gave birth to a son named Annibale. In 1919, the Boerios relocated to Montreal.

At some point after their arrival in Canada, Michele and Mary went into the restaurant business and managed the Savoy Restaurant located at 1204 Drummond St. The Boerios also lived at this address.

The Canadian government’s justification for interning Michele Boerio stemmed from his alleged membership in the Order Sons of Italy and a trip to Italy in 1930. The trip was part business, part pleasure, as Boerio purchased wine and oil for the restaurant. He also used the opportunity to visit his sister. In 1927, a banquet was held at the Savoy Restaurant in honour of the Italian Consul.

During an interview with Justice J.D. Hyndman, one of the judges appointed by the Minister of Justice to review the cases of internees who objected to their internment, Boerio admitted to having been a supporter of Benito Mussolini. But for reasons unknown, he changed his opinion in 1929. Boerio’s dislike of Mussolini was reconfirmed in 1939, when the so-called Pact of Steel was signed between the fascist government of Italy and Nazi Germany.

The Savoy Restaurant appears to have been in some financial difficulty prior to Boerio’s internment, and the establishment was five months behind in its rent.

Biography by Travis Tomchuk
 

SOURCES:

• Library and Archives Canada, Custodian of Enemy Property, RG117, Vol. 648, Internee File 3275, “Michele Boerio.”
• Library and Archives Canada, J.D. Hyndman Fonds: MG30, E182, Vol. 14.

POW #: P537
ARRESTED: June 10, 1940
RELEASED: February 21, 1942
NATURALIZED: August 14, 1928
BORN:
DIED:

CAMP(S): Petawawa
TOWN/CITY: Montreal
MARITAL STATUS: Married
OCCUPATION: Labourer, CNR Motive Power Department

RELEASE NOTES: Conditional release upon undertaking Regulation 24 (Defence of Canada Regulations) and required to report monthly to the authorities

Amedeo Bolla became a citizen (a naturalized British subject) in 1928. He and his wife Marguerite and their daughters Angeline and Chikina lived at 4780 Cazelais St. in Montreal. Bolla had worked with the Canadian National Railway (CNR) for 25 years prior to his arrest on June 10, 1940.

While her husband was interned, Marguerite collected $58 a month in rent from a property the Bollas owned on Melrose Ave.

Biography by Travis Tomchuk
 
SOURCE:

• Library and Archives Canada, Canadian Armed Forces, RG 24, Vol 6586 File 5-1-1
• Library and Archives Canada, Custodian of Enemy Property, RG 117, Vol. 661, Internee File 4368, “Amedeo Bolla.”

POW #: P725
ARRESTED: July 18, 1940
RELEASED: September 25, 1943
NATURALIZED:
BORN: January 14, 1898
DIED:

CAMP(S): Petawawa, Fredericton
TOWN/CITY: Hamilton
MARITAL STATUS: Married
OCCUPATION: Moulder, Dominion Foundries and Steel Ltd.

Donato Borrillo was born in Benevento, Campania, Italy. He lived in a rented apartment at 43 Kinrade St. in Hamilton. Borrillo was married to Daniana D’Allessandro, and the couple had an 18-year-old daughter and a 12-year-old son. However, Daniana and the children lived in Italy.

While interned, Borrillo asked for permission to have his accordion sent to the camp. This request was granted.

Biography by Travis Tomchuk
 
SOURCES:

• Library and Archives Canada, Custodian of Enemy Property, RG117, Vol. 671, Internee File 5049, “ Donato Borrillo.”
• Library and Archives Canada, RCMP, RG18, Vol. 3568, File B.

POW #: P713
ARRESTED: June 10, 1940
RELEASED: April 15, 1941
NATURALIZED: Yes
BORN: June 01, 1901
DIED: 1981

CAMP(S): Petawawa
TOWN/CITY: Hamilton
MARITAL STATUS: Married
OCCUPATION: Tailor, Coppley, Noyes & Randall; musician and music teacher

RELEASE NOTES: Unconditional but had to report on arrival to the RCMP in Hamilton for further instruction regarding his registration and parole

Alfonso Borsellino was a well-known local band leader. He immigrated to Canada in 1915, at fourteen years of age. In 1923, he married Nora Catherine, an Irish-Canadian. At the time of his arrest, the couple had a son (16) and a daughter (5).

A skilled musician who played several instruments, Borsellino was a music teacher. However, he also worked as a tailor for Coppley, Noyes & Randall. Among his work colleagues were Berlino Colangelo, Rocco Celeste, and Guido Gioberti; all would be interned.

In 1930, Borsellino founded and became the bandmaster of the Royal Marine Band. The Casa d’Italia in Hamilton built in 1935, housed the band, comprised of mostly Italians but also a few English Canadians and one French Canadian. On the occasion of the Silver Jubilee of King George V in 1935, Borsellino’s band led the parade with the War Veterans. He also participated in the Coronation Parade the following year.

He belonged to the Racalmutese Mutual Aid Society which provided insurance benefits to its members – men from that Sicilian town. 

On June 10, 1940, Borsellino was arrested. Temporarily held at the Canadian National Exhibition grounds in Toronto, he was transferred to Petawawa Internment Camp on July 24, 1940. At the time of his internment, Borsellino’s brother Alfred was serving in the First Canadian Division in England and he also had three nephews in the Canadian Army. 

In camp, he played the mandolin in the small orchestra organized by the internees. Other band members included Panfilo (Benny) Ferri on saxophone, Berlino Colangelo on guitar, Donato Borrillo on the accordion, and Antonio Di Pietro, Nicola Frascarelli and Luigi Ciampolillo on the mandolin. John Parente was the singer.

During the hearing of his case by Justice J.D. Hyndman, Borsellino denied that he was a fascist. In addition to his work with the Royal Marine Band at the Casa d’Italia, Borsellino along with others, had organized and booked the Italian bands for feste (saint’s feast days) banquets and concerts at the Casa. He was also a member of the dopolavoro. He claimed it was a place where he could meet, drink and play cards with friends. In his summary, Hyndman noted that these activities were not sufficient proof that Borsellino was a threat to the Canadian state. With no evidence of “disloyalty”, Hyndman recommended that Borsellino be released on April 8, 1941.

His family suffered considerably due to Borsellino’s internment. Borsellino’s father had a stroke while his son was interned. The family physician believed the stroke was caused by stress. Although his wife was working at Cornell Tailoring Co. as of September 18, 1940, the family had sought government relief to make ends meet.

After the war, Borsellino opened Borsellino’s Music Shoppe in 1947. He was joined by his son in 1953. The music store closed in 1975.

Biography by Lucy Di Pietro
 

SOURCES:

• Cumbo, Enrico Carlson. The Italian Presence in Hamilton: A Social History 1870-2000. Toronto: [the author], 2000.
• Cumbo, Enrico Carlson. “Uneasy Neighbours: Internment and Hamilton’s Italians” in Enemies Within: Italian and Other Internees in Canada and Abroad. Edited by Franca Iacovetta, Roberto Perin, and Angelo Prinicipe. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2000;
• Library and Archives Canada, Custodian of Enemy Property (CEP): RG117-A-3, Vol. 670, File no. 5026.
• Library and Archives Canada, JD Hyndman fonds: MG30, E182, Hyndman to Minister of Justice, Ottawa, 8 Apr 1941, “In the matter of the Defence of Canada Regulations and in the matter of Alphonso Borsellino” 40D-269-4E-255.
• Library and Archives Canada, RCMP: RG 18, Vol 3568, File B.
• Mahoney, Jeff. “Music, music, music … thanks Alfie”. December 5, 2011. thespec.com. http://www.thespec.com/print/article/634377
• Nicaso, Antonio. Rocco Perri: The Story of Canada’s Most Notorious Bootlegger. Mississauga: John Wiley & Sons Canada Ltd, 2004.

POW #: P841
ARRESTED:
RELEASED: March 12, 1942
NATURALIZED: 1927
BORN: February 22, 1894
DIED:

CAMP(S): Petawawa
TOWN/CITY: Hamilton
MARITAL STATUS: Married
OCCUPATION: Labourer, Steel Company Ltd. of Canada

RELEASE NOTES: Released conditionally upon subscribing to Regulation 24 of the Defence of Canada Regulations and reporting monthly to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in Hamilton

Domenico (Dominic) Bruni was born in Italy on February 22, 1894. He moved to Canada and was naturalized in 1927. He was a foreman at the Steel Company Ltd. of Canada. According to government documents, he was also a bricklayer. Bruni was married to Vincenza. The couple had four children.

At the outbreak of World War II, Bruni was suspended from work. Due to a lack of skilled workers, he was reinstated on June 25, 1940. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) considered him to be a member of the fascio or Italian social clubs such as the dopolavoro or the Order Sons of Italy. He had worn a black shirt and a fascist button to work on several occasions. During the Ethiopian War, he contributed to the Italian Red Cross.

Bruni was interned at Camp Petawawa on August 31, 1940. An investigation into Bruni’s affairs by Price, Waterhouse & Co. revealed that Bruni owned two properties: his home at 39 Barnesdale Ave. in Hamilton (worth $3200) and a second house at 7 Clinton St. (worth $1700). Furthermore, Bruni held a bank account with the Canadian Bank of Commerce (balance $77) and an insurance policy at Independent Order of Foresters Benefit Fund.

It is very likely that, at Petawawa, Bruni befriended Pietro (Peter) Frederick Monte, owner of Peter F. Monte Real Estate and Insurance. After Monte’s release from camp, he wrote a letter dated June 7, 1941, to Price, Waterhouse & Co., regarding Bruni’s property. Monte wrote that he had corresponded with Mrs. Bruni, who had changed her mind about selling the second property. He informed Price, Waterhouse & Co. that he had rented out the property for the Brunis. Because the property needed repairs, he believed that Mrs. Bruni would be set back financially for a period of three months.

Bruni was released on March 12, 1942.

Biography by Louanne Aspillaga
 

Do you know…
What happened to Bruni after his release from camp?

SOURCES:

• Hamilton List.
• Library and Archives Canada, Custodian of Enemy Property: RG 1213-17-4E (formerly RG 117-A-3), Vol. 675, Internee File 5396, “Dominic Bruni.”
• Minister’s Orders List V1 & V5.

POW #: P240
ARRESTED: June 10, 1940
RELEASED: November 29, 1940
NATURALIZED: Yes
BORN:
DIED:

CAMP(S): Petawawa
TOWN/CITY: Toronto
MARITAL STATUS: Married
OCCUPATION: Retired painter

RELEASE NOTES: Conditional release upon undertaking Regulation 24 (Defence of Canada Regulations)

Nicola Bruno and his wife Katherina lived at 33 Beaver St. in Toronto. They had two daughters, Annie (age 46) and Adele (age 36). Both daughters were married and did not live at the Beaver St. address.

At the time of his arrest he was a citizen (a naturalized British subject).

Biography by Travis Tomchuk
 
SOURCES:

• Library and Archives Canada, Canadian Armed Forces, RG 24, Vol 6586 File 5-1-1
• Library and Archives Canada, Custodian of Enemy Property, RG 117, Vol. 662, Internee File 4509, “Nicola Bruno.”

POW #: P398
ARRESTED: June 11, 1940
RELEASED: March 08, 1942
NATURALIZED:
BORN:
DIED:

CAMP(S): Petawawa
TOWN/CITY: Other Quebec
MARITAL STATUS: Single
OCCUPATION: Employee, Valley Shoe Company

RELEASE NOTES: Released unconditionally

Very little information exists on Raffaele (Raphael) M. Bruno. He supported a mother who lived in Italy.

Biography by Travis Tomchuk
 

SOURCE:

• Library and Archives Canada, Custodian of Enemy Property, RG 117, Vol. 674, Internee File 5340, “Raffaele Bruno.”

POW #: P539
ARRESTED: June 10, 1940
RELEASED: July 08, 1942
NATURALIZED: 1913
BORN: 1883
DIED:

CAMP(S): Petawawa
TOWN/CITY: Montreal
MARITAL STATUS: Married
OCCUPATION: Bookkeeper, Order Sons of Italy

RELEASE NOTES: Conditional release (see below)

Mariano Brutto came to Canada in 1903. In 1931, he married Carlotta and the couple lived at 7218 Drolet St. in Montreal. Upon his arrival in Canada, Brutto worked for the St. Lawrence Bridge Company. He later worked for the Phillips Wire Company. In 1932, he had to stop working because he contracted bronchitis and could no longer perform his heavy labour duties at Phillips Wire Company. (Records also indicate that Brutto suffered from high blood pressure and a defective heart.) From the time he left the wire company, until his internment, Brutto worked as a bookkeeper (financial secretary) for the Giovanni Caboto Lodge of the Order Sons of Italy. He earned $10 a week. Carlotta worked as a seamstress and earned between $15 and $18 a week.

Brutto was not the only executive member of the Giovanni Caboto Lodge to be interned during World War II. The president, Marino Pierpaoli, and the treasurer, Nicola Frascarelli, were also sent to camp.

Brutto admitted to having been a member of the Fascio Giovanni Luparini since 1929. He did not see how this could be a problem since, according to him, a number of prominent Montrealers were also members. He also told the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) that Montreal Mayor Camillien Houde often spoke to the fascio on good citizenship. During an interview with J.D. Hyndman, a judge appointed to review the cases of internees, Carlotta Brutto stated that her husband’s interest in the Fascio Giovanni Luparini began to wane after Italian Consul Giuseppe Brigidi left Montreal in the late 1930s. She also said that her husband joined the organization for social reasons only. Brutto was also a member of the dopolavoro and the Casa d’Italia.

In May 1941, Brutto became ill and was hospitalized in the Petawawa infirmary. Hyndman recommended his release, but Brutto remained interned for another year.

Brutto’s release conditions were as follows: he had to report to RCMP once a month, could not change his place of residence or leave Montreal without the consent of RCMP, and was forbidden to be involved in fascist activities or organizations.     

Biography by Travis Tomchuk
 

SOURCES:

• Library and Archives Canada, Custodian of Enemy Property: RG 117, Vol. 693, Internee File 9796, “Mariano Brutto.”
• Library and Archives Canada, J.D. Hyndman Fonds: MG 30, E 182, Vol. 14, Letter to Ernest Lapointe, Minister of Justice, June 23, 1941.

POW #: P583
ARRESTED:
RELEASED: April 12, 1941
NATURALIZED: 1932
BORN:
DIED:

CAMP(S): Petawawa
TOWN/CITY: Montreal
MARITAL STATUS: Married
OCCUPATION: Employee, Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR)

RELEASE NOTES: Released unconditionally – had to report to the RCMP immediately upon arrival in Montreal

Michele Bucci was born on February 18, 1892 in Larino, Italy. He came to Canada in 1912 and was naturalized in 1932.

He was married with no kids. He lived on Amherst St. in Montreal. At the time of his arrest, he had been working for Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) for 27 years, making $20/week. His wife ran a small grocery/candy store where Bucci would help out after his shift.

Bucci was released on April 12, 1941 at 12:28 a.m.

Biography by Louanne Aspillaga
 

SOURCES:

• Library and Archives Canada, Custodian of Enemy Property: RG117, Vol. 6586, File 5-1-1.
• Library and Archives Canada, Custodian of Enemy Property: RG117, Vol. 664, Internee File 466 “Michele Bucci.”
• Minister’s Orders List V1 & V3.

POW #: P270
ARRESTED: June 10, 1940
RELEASED: November 03, 1940
NATURALIZED:
BORN: October 02, 1902
DIED:

CAMP(S): Petawawa
TOWN/CITY: Toronto
MARITAL STATUS: Married
OCCUPATION: Musician

RELEASE NOTES: Conditional release upon undertaking Regulation 24 (Defence of Canada Regulations) and reporting monthly

Francesco (Frank) Busseri was born on October 2, 1902 in the United States.

In the late 1920s and 1930s, Busseri, a musician, was performing in big bands. In fact, media entrepreneur and personality Johnny Lombardi had sought to work with Frank Busseri‘s band and others when pursuing his own music career. Married with two children, Busseri resided in Toronto at the outbreak of World War II. Detained on June 10, 1940, with many other Italian Canadian men, he was presumably held at the Canadian National Exhibition grounds in Toronto, and sent to Petawawa Internment Camp on June 18, 1940.

His family suffered during his absence and they had to apply for government relief. Most likely to help his family, he wanted to sell his property for $4,800. The sale was not approved by the Office of the Custodian of Enemy Property which oversaw the assets of all internees.

No clear evidence exists for the reasons behind Busseri’s arrest. Given information found in the Custodian of Enemy Property file, he may have been teaching or otherwise involved with the Scuola Italiana. The Bank of Montreal had written the office noting that they were holding a five dollar cheque issued to Busseri by F. Barboglia from the Scuola Italiana. The correspondence indicates that F. Barboglia was also interned; however, he does not appear on the government internment lists. Presumably, the individual is Francesco Barboglia, the Italian vice-consul who returned to Italy upon the declaration of war on June 10, 1940. Busseri was the brother-in-law of internee Marco Missori, who was very active with the fascio.

Biography by Lucy Di Pietro
 

Do you know…
Was the Scuola Italiana run by the Italian consulate’s office?
What was Busseri being paid for? Did he teach Italian at the Scuola Italiana?
His occupation is noted as musician – how did he make a living?
Besides his work for the Scuola Italiana, did Busseri have any other ties to the Italian fascist government?

SOURCES:

• CHIN Radio, “Johnny Lombardi.” http://www.chinradio.com/johnny-lombardi/
• Interview with Lawrence Lamentia. September 27, 2011. Columbus Centre Collection.
• Library and Archives Canada, Canadian Armed Forces: RG 24, Vol. 6586, File 5-1-1.
• Library and Archives Canada, Custodian of Enemy Property: RG 117, Vol. 657, Internee File 3932, “Francesco Busseri.”
• Library and Archives Canada, RCMP: RG 18, Vol. 3568, File B.