POW #: P1116
ARRESTED: July 24, 1940
RELEASED: November 13, 1941
NATURALIZED: Yes
BORN:
DIED:

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

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

Francesco Camparelli was a member of Circolo Giulio Giordani, a fascist club based in Vancouver. At the time of his arrest he was a citizen (a naturalized British subject).

Biography by Travis Tomchuk
 

SOURCE:

• Library and Archives Canada, RCMP, RG 18, Vol. 3563, File C-11-19-2-3 part 1, letter from N.A. Robertson to Ernest Lapointe, 24 July 1940.

POW #: P477
ARRESTED: June 10, 1940
RELEASED: July 09, 1941
NATURALIZED: Canadian born
BORN: 1912
DIED: March 30, 2006

CAMP(S): Petawawa
TOWN/CITY: Montreal
MARITAL STATUS: Single
OCCUPATION: Cost clerk, National Harbour Board, Montreal

RELEASE NOTES: Unconditional

Antonio Capobianco was born in Montreal in 1912. His parents had emigrated from Italy in 1905.

Capobianco was active in local politics. An organizer for the Liberal Party, he was the secretary of the Liberal Association, Italian Section, for a number of years. In 1934, Capobianco was a delegate to the banquet for Prime Minister Mackenzie King celebrating his fifteenth anniversary as leader of the Liberal Party. 

Involved with the local Italian community, he was also an active member of the Order Sons of Italy and a member of dopolavoro until 1935 or 1936. Capobianco was appointed vice-president of the dopolavoro in 1937 but resigned shortly after. He claims to have joined primarily for the sports activities and that he was never a member of the fascio.

At the time of his internment, Capobianco worked as a cost clerk with the National Harbour Board in Montreal – a position he was appointed to by Ottawa. Capobianco believed this patronage position resulted in enemies for him. 

He also had supporters. Among those who spoke on Capobianco’s behalf were Azellus Denis, M.P., St. Denis, and Joseph Emile Dubreuil, M.L.A., Montreal-Jeanne-Mance. Dubriel claimed that Capobianco was not a fascist; in fact, he had heard Capobianco make a speech against Mussolini’s government in 1939. 

In his review of the case, J.D. Hyndman wrote:

The above facts show that this man was born in Montreal and has lived there all his life; that his associations were with members of the Liberal Party in Montreal which must have included some of the leading people of that city. During his engagement at the Harbour Board I am satisfied that he did not carry on Italian propaganda as is alleged against him and I am satisfied that his membership in the Dopolavoro was largely because of his interest in the Liberal Party, of which he was an organizer and that there was no thought of disloyalty to this country in his mind… There is no evidence whatsoever of any act or expression on his part from which it can possibly be inferred that he is disloyal and a danger to the State… (Report by J.D. Hyndman to Minister of Justice, in the Matter of the Defence of Canada Regulations and in the Matter of Antonio Capobianco, 40D-269-4D-105, May 10, 1941).

After his release, Capobianco entered the insurance business. He remained active in his community, helping form the Canadian Italian Business Professional Association and lobbying the provincial government to build the Santa Cabrini Hospital.

Biography by Lucy Di Pietro
 

Do you know…
Did Capobianco try to get his job back at the National Harbour Board?
 

SOURCES:

• Commemorative Program: The Internment of Italian Canadians, 1940-2010.  Montreal: CCPI – Casa d’Italia, 2010.
• Library and Archives Canada, Custodian of Enemy Property: RG 117, Vol. 657, Internee File 3893, “Antonio Capobianco.”
• Library and Archives Canada, J.D. Hyndman Fonds: MG 30, E 182, Vol. 14. Report to Minister of Justice, 40D-269-4D-105, May 10, 1941

POW #: P273
ARRESTED: June 10, 1940
RELEASED: June 13, 1941
NATURALIZED: June 19, 1933
BORN: June 03, 1906
DIED:

CAMP(S): Petawawa
TOWN/CITY: Toronto
MARITAL STATUS: Married
OCCUPATION: Bartender, Casa d’Italia

RELEASE NOTES: Released unconditionally

Giuseppe Caporicci and his wife Filomena Raspin Caporicci lived with their two children, Leo (age 8) and Mary (age 7), at 63 Walton St. in Toronto. Filomena’s parents also lived at this address.

During Caporicci’s internment, the family had to go on relief. A boarder was taken in for $5 a month.

Caporicci’s unconditional release in June 1941 was due to an unnamed physical condition.

Biography by Travis Tomchuk
 

SOURCE:

• Library and Archives Canada, Custodian of Enemy Property, RG 117, Vol. 663, Internee File 4572, “Giuseppe Caporicci.”

POW #: P714
ARRESTED: July 18, 1940
RELEASED: May 24, 1942
NATURALIZED: Yes
BORN: January 09, 1895
DIED: July 20, 1952

CAMP(S): Petawawa
TOWN/CITY: Hamilton
MARITAL STATUS: Married
OCCUPATION: Operated a grocery store/butcher shop

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

Girolamo (George) Capponi was born on January 9, 1895 in Cesena, Italy. At the outbreak of World War II, Capponi had been living in Canada for over twenty years and was a citizen (a naturalized British subject). He was married to Irene, who was Canadian-born, and the couple had three children: Marie, Ronnie and Chester who were 6, 10 and 14 years of age respectively.

According to his family, Capponi had worked at Stelco. As government files indicate, at the time of his arrest, he operated a grocery store and butcher shop, and he was a gambler. Despite this odd discrepancy, Capponi seems to have been well established. The Office of the Custodian of Enemy Property file notes that he assigned six mortgages to his wife on July 11, 1940, and had shares in the Venice Hotel. He had also been able to make a loan to Hamilton’s Casa d’Italia, which as of December 31, 1939, totalled $539.89. This amount represented the principal and interest. The loan seems to have been a pivotal point in his internment and subsequent hearings:

My brother-in-law, one Girolamo (George) Capponi, is presently interned at Petawawa Internment Camp under the Defence of Canada Regulations and I am attempting to prove that he is a fit subject to be released to the Advisory Committee scheduled to review this matter. It has been brought to my attention that he loaned either the local Casa d’Italia or the Hamilton Dopolavoro the sum of $500.00 which loan, unless explained might be construed as a gift. Possibly you might know where the books of these two Companies are located and you might advise the writer how this information might be obtained in such a manner that it can be presented to the Advisory Committee (Alphonse Bianco, from Law Offices of O’Reilly and O’Reilly, and brother-in-law of G. Capponi, to Sergeant Williams, RCMP, Toronto, January 13, 1942).

Capponi’s family had been working towards his release since his arrest in 1940. They had retained the law offices of O’Reilly and O’Reilly to represent Capponi. However, his detention was ordered to be continued on December 30, 1940. When he was finally released, the family was not informed. He came home unexpectedly almost two years after his arrest.

His family had been able to see Capponi while he was temporarily detained at the Canadian National Exhibition grounds in Toronto, before being transferred to Petawawa Internment Camp. In newspapers and other accounts, several internees recalled being paraded around in front of spectators, which included their wives and families, but also hostile members of the public. The Capponi family had also been allowed a visit to the camp. They travelled to Petawawa by train. Not much is remembered of this rare visit except that Capponi reassured his family that he was well, and the distinct impression left on his loved ones after seeing Capponi dressed as a prisoner.

The family has always claimed that Capponi was not a fascist and that he did not belong to other social and cultural Italian clubs. He did not speak often of his internment, and he made light of it when he did, focusing on his work in the kitchen and the good food they made and ate in camp. This is also reflected in his letters from Petawawa:

Al’s letter pleased me very much as it is encouraging and it is possible that some action will be taken on my case soon. Send the 14” plane, it will do. Maybe we will be allowed to send some souvenirs for Easter. Don made some forks and spoons, and a meat chopper for his wife. We will send home to you. Get Chester his suit but get him a good one… Tell him that Gaetano makes the coffee every morning now and the cooking is done by Mascia and Lonza [sic]… We go to mass every Sunday and Rosary every night… Send me another $3.00 for this month as we are allowed to spent $8.00 a month (George Capponi, Translated Letter to Irene Capponi, March 27, 1941).

Although he returned from camp with a suitcase full of wooden boxes and other souvenirs, possibly made with the above-mentioned 14” plane, it is clear that Capponi and his family suffered as a result of his internment. His wife Irene struggled to make do in her husband’s absence:

As mentioned to you already in my last letter regarding bonds, I wrote to the Custodian in this connection, who replied that it would not be necessary for me to sell one of the bonds as there would not be enough anyway to live on its proceeds… Over here everything is all right. It is time now to put up the storm windows. When you were home I did not have to worry about such things, anything required for the house was done by you. Now I have to think about everything. When you come back home again I shall take a good rest in bed for a month… I would have never believed that we would be separated for such a long time (Irene Capponi, Translated Letter to George Capponi, October 17, 1941).

After his release, Capponi had stomach problems and died in 1952. His children were educated, and they were successful in their chosen careers.

His brother-in-law, Samuel John Mostacci, was also interned.

Biography by Lucy Di Pietro
 

SOURCES:

• Interview with Chester Capponi. May 18, 2011. Columbus Centre Collection.
• Library and Archives Canada, Custodian of Enemy Property: RG 117-a-3, Vol. 670, Internee File 5025, “Girolamo Capponi.”
• Library and Archives Canada, RCMP: RG 18, F-3, Vol. 3563, Part 5.
• Library and Archives Canada, RCMP: RG 18, Vol. 3568, File B.

POW #:
ARRESTED: June 10, 1940
RELEASED: January 28, 1943
NATURALIZED:
BORN:
DIED:

CAMP(S): Petawawa, Fredericton
TOWN/CITY: Montreal
MARITAL STATUS: Unknown
OCCUPATION:

RELEASE NOTES: Conditional release (see below)

The conditions of Gennaro Ambrosio Capuana’s release stated that he had to report monthly to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and could not change his address or leave Montreal without first notifying the RCMP. He was forbidden from becoming involved in any fascist organizations, had to obey all laws and “do everything reasonably possible to assist in Canada’s war effort.”

Biography by Travis Tomchuk

SOURCE:

• Library and Archives Canada, RCMP, RG 18, Vol. 3563, File C-11-19-2-3 Part 5, Letter from Louis St. Laurent, Minister of Justice, to S.T. Wood, RCMP Commissioner, Jan. 28, 1943.

POW #: P428
ARRESTED: June 10, 1940
RELEASED: March 07, 1942
NATURALIZED: 1940
BORN: August 28, 1901
DIED: June 22, 1966

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

RELEASE NOTES: Released conditionally

Agostino Carbone was born in Caserta, Campania, Italy and arrived in Canada in 1923. That same year he began working as a labourer for the Dominion Steel and Coal Company for $30 a week. However, before his internment, Carbone was unemployed. He married Victoria Greco, but the date and location of their wedding are not known. The Agostinos had five children: Rachel was born on July 9, 1928; Angelo was born on January 3, 1931; Francois was born on October 1, 1932; Marie was born on July 1, 1934; and Antoine was born on August 3, 1935. The family bought a house at 6622 Papineau St. in Montreal, but it had not been completely paid for by the summer of 1940. At the time of his arrest he was a citizen (a naturalized British subject). While Carbone was interned, his family received $7.62 a week in relief payments.

Biography by Travis Tomchuk

SOURCE:

• Library and Archives Canada, Custodian of Enemy Property, RG 117, Vol. 1962, Internee File 3554, “Agostino Carbone.”

POW #: P418
ARRESTED: June 10, 1940
RELEASED: January 10, 1942
NATURALIZED: November 30, 1925
BORN: July 17, 1896
DIED:

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

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

Carmine Carbone was born in Italy on July 17, 1896. He owned a home – which had a $4000 mortgage – on Chabot St., in the Parish of Sault au Recollect, Montreal. He also owned properties at 6961 De Saint Valiers St. and 6749 Chabot St. He held a $1000 life insurance policy with Northern Life Insurance Co.

He was arrested on June 10, 1940, and interned at Camp Petawawa on June 28, 1940. An order of release was issued on January 6, 1942, and he was freed four days later.

Little else is known about Carmine Carbone.

Biography by Louanne Aspillaga

Do you know…
Why did Carmine Carbone own property in the Parish of Sault au Recollect? Was he a priest or a clergy member?

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, A-3, Vol. 2406, Internee File 16531, “Carmine Carbone.”
• Library and Archives Canada, RCMP: RG 18, Series F-3, Vol. 3563, File Part 5 (1942), File no. C11-19-2-3, “Orders for detention, internment or release of Italians.”
• Library and Archives Canada, RCMP: RG 18, Series F-3, Vol. 3568, Folder B.
• Minister’s Orders, List V1 & V5.

POW #: P772
ARRESTED: August 09, 1940
RELEASED: March 08, 1942
NATURALIZED: June 07, 1933
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 required to report monthly to the authorities

Ricciotti Carbone and his family lived at 5954 Dumas St. in Montreal. His sons Domenico, Pasquale and Vincenzo ranged in age from 8 to 14. While Carbone was interned, his family received $7.47 a week in relief payments. Because these payments were so low, the Carbone family could not afford to live at the Dumas St. address and had difficulties finding an affordable place to live.

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. 661, Internee File 4377, “Ricciotti Carbone.”

POW #: P311
ARRESTED: June 10, 1940
RELEASED: November 20, 1940
NATURALIZED: Canadian born
BORN: July 07, 1908
DIED: March 03, 1983

CAMP(S): Petawawa
TOWN/CITY: Timmins
MARITAL STATUS: Married
OCCUPATION: Civil engineer, Buffalo Ankerite Gold Mines Ltd.

RELEASE NOTES: Unconditional

Thomas Joseph Carbone was born in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada. He attended public schools in Toronto. In June 1934, he received a Bachelor of Applied Science and Engineering from the University of Toronto. 

At the time of his arrest, he was 32 years old and married to Canadian-born Leah Naomi. The couple had one child. Carbone was working as a civil engineer for Buffalo Ankerite Gold Mines Ltd. – a position he had held for more than five years.

Justice J.D. Hyndman reviewed his case. Carbone had legal representation at his hearing and denied involvement in any Italian organizations. He claimed to have “no idea whatsoever” as to why he was interned. Carbone spoke Italian poorly, and could not read or write the language. His father had lived in Canada for 50 years, and he also had siblings living in Toronto. Justice Hyndman, who recommended release on July 16, 1940, wrote: “Unless some further evidence can be obtained connecting this man in some way with Italian organizations or persons, I would think that justice can only be done by releasing him” (J.D. Hyndman to Minister of Justice, in the Matter of the Defence of Canada Regulations and in the Matter of Thomas Joseph Carbone, July 16, 1940).

Almost four months later, on November 5, 1940, Justice Hyndman added: “Since that date further investigations have been made by the appropriate authorities and their report is on file. In my view this further report does not add anything of evidential value to what was before me at the time of the hearing, and it would appear that no further evidence is forthcoming. I would therefore recommend this man’s early release from internment” (J.D. Hyndman to Minister of Justice, in the Matter of the Defence of Canada Regulations and in the Matter of Thomas Joseph Carbone, 40D-269-4-E-105, July 16, 1940, and November 5, 1940).

Carbone was released two weeks later. His family notes that he returned home and was reinstated to his position as Civil Engineer at Buffalo Ankerite Mines Ltd. Eventually, he moved to southern Ontario, and until his retirement, held the position of Chief Engineer and General Manager for the construction company, Johnson Bros. Co. Ltd., in Brantford, ON.

His daughter proudly notes that throughout his life, he remained a respected and trusted member of the community. He was the loving father of 6 children and a devoted husband. Following a series of strokes, he passed away at 74 years of age. His wife passed away the following year.

Biography by Lucy Di Pietro
 

SOURCES:

• Correspondence with Eloise Carbone, daughter of Thomas Joseph Carbone. Project Staff at Columbus Centre of Toronto, December 2012.
• 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 4313, “Tommaso Giuseppe Carbone.”
• Library and Archives Canada, J.D. Hyndman Fonds: MG 30, E 182, Vol. 14. J.D. Hyndman to Minister of Justice, in the Matter of the Defence of Canada Regulations and in the Matter of Thomas Joseph Carbone, 40D-269-4-E-105, July 16, 1940, and November 5, 1940.

POW #: P440
ARRESTED: June 10, 1940
RELEASED: July 09, 1941
NATURALIZED: December 28, 1925
BORN:
DIED:

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

RELEASE NOTES: Unconditional release

Very little is known about Giulio (Julius) Cardella. He lived at 1656 Joliette Ave. in Montreal at the time of his arrest.

Biography by Travis Tomchuk
 

SOURCE:

• Library and Archives Canada

POW #: P494
ARRESTED: June 10, 1940
RELEASED: March 02, 1942
NATURALIZED: September 09, 1929
BORN: March 11, 1900
DIED:

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

RELEASE NOTES: Conditional release upon undertaking Regulation 24 (Defence of Canada Regulations). Had to report twice a month to the authorities

Giuseppe Cardi was known by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) to be the director of the Lachine, Quebec, branch of the Fascio Giovanni Luparini.

Biography by Travis Tomchuk
 

SOURCES:

• Library and Archives Canada, Canadian Armed Forces, RG 24, Vol 6586 File 5-1-1
• Library and Archives Canada, CSIS, RG 146, Vol. 97, File AH-1999/00227, RCMP, “The Organization and Activities of the Italian Fascist Party in Canada,” 1937.

POW #: P303
ARRESTED: June 10, 1940
RELEASED: July 28, 1942
NATURALIZED: Yes
BORN: March 13, 1899
DIED:

CAMP(S): Petawawa, Fredericton
TOWN/CITY: Niagara Region
MARITAL STATUS: Married
OCCUPATION: Owner, fruit and grocery business

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

We have been able to access few records on the internment of Carlo Carlucci. At the time of his arrest, he was 41 years old. Married to Nicolina, the couple had five children. His name appears on the government list dating to spring 1940 of “Important members of the fascio who are naturalized and whose internment is recommended”. The nature and extent of his involvement in the fascio are not known.

According to the information in his Custodian of Enemy Property (CEP) file, Carlucci’s family suffered during his absence. The family struggled with the authorities to receive government relief:

The Welfare will in no way help me with the financial end of things and I really don’t know what I can possibly do…I grant that my daughter is working and should therefore help carry on the home while her father is away to a certain extent but how can a young girl with the wages she makes be expected to carry the burden…I understand that unless my rent is being paid my premises will have to be vacated & then where will I go…The welfare will not recognize any of it and still they won’t help in the funding of my family. If they could only do something or help me in paying my rent at least until the time my husband gets back I would be more than grateful. (Nicolina Carlucci, letter to G.G. Beckett, June 4, 1941, RG 117 Vol 651 3392, LAC)

In addition to the financial challenges, the family also suffered emotionally. Carlucci’s young son wrote to G.G. Beckett, Assistant to the Assistant Custodian of Enemy Property:

There has been a great big change in our house since daddy has been taken away to the camp. Mother cries all the time worying [sic] how we will get along. Daddy means everything to us honest, Mister Beckett and without him we can’t go on.  Won’t you please help him in his case so he can come home to us soon? Please Mr. Beckett, I ask you to try hard to help my daddy come home. (Mano Carlucci, letter to G.G. Beckett, January 16, 1941, RG 117 Vol 651 3392, LAC)

In response, he received the following reply:

I have already done everything in my power to help you financially when I brought your case to the attention of the Dominion Relief Authorities. Your letter, however, seems to deal with the question of your father’s release from the Internment Camp. This is not a matter to be dealt with by the Custodian. You should write direct to the deputy Minister of Justice, Ottawa. (G.G. Beckett, letter to Mano Carlucci, January 24, 1941, RG 117 Vol 651 3392, LAC)

The reasons for Carlucci’s release are not known. Among the conditions, he could not change his residence or journey from St. Catharines without first reporting the details and purpose of his proposed trip to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).

Other biographical information is lacking.

Biography by Lucy Di Pietro

Do you know…
What was the nature of Carlucci’s involvement with the fascio?
What happened to Carlucci after the war?
 
SOURCES:

• Library and Archives Canada, Custodian of Enemy Property (CEP): RG 117, Vol 651, 3392.
• Library and Archives Canada, RCMP: RG 18, C11-19-2-3-pt 4.
• Library and Archives Canada, RCMP: RG 18, F-3, Vol 3563, Part 6.
• Library and Archives Canada, RCMP: RG 18, Vol 3568, File A.

POW #: P597
ARRESTED: July 20, 1940
RELEASED: September 27, 1940
NATURALIZED:
BORN:
DIED:

CAMP(S): Petawawa
TOWN/CITY: Montreal
MARITAL STATUS: Unknown
OCCUPATION: Manager, Piedmont Construction or Singer Sewing Machine Company

Carlo Antonio Carniel lived at 832 St. James St. West in Montreal. Available sources reveal conflicting information about Carniel’s occupation. He ran a general contracting business for a number of years in addition to being a manager at Piedmont Construction. A second source states that he was employed at the Thurso plant of the Singer Sewing Machine Company. There he was involved in the production of veneer logs – an important material used for airplane propellers and fuselages. It was his experience in this line of work that led to his early release from Petawawa.

Biography by Travis Tomchuk

SOURCES:

• Library and Archives Canada, Custodian of Enemy Property, RG 117, Vol. 666, Internee File 4795, “Carlo Carniel.”
• Library and Archives Canada, RCMP, RG 18, Vol. 3563, File C-11-19-2-3 Part 2, Letter from Ernest Lapointe, Minister of Justice, to S.T. Wood, RCMP Commissioner, Sep. 27, 1940.

POW #:
ARRESTED: June 10, 1940
RELEASED: April 12, 1941
NATURALIZED:
BORN:
DIED:

CAMP(S): Petawawa
TOWN/CITY: Toronto
MARITAL STATUS: Widowed
OCCUPATION: Retired artist on relief

Professor Pietro Carollo and his daughter Lucia lived at 36 Elm St. in Toronto. At the time of his internment, Carollo had four adult children and was 90 per cent blind.

Biography by Travis Tomchuk

SOURCE:

• Library and Archives Canada, Custodian of Enemy Property, RG 117, Vol. 648, Internee File 3256, “Pietro Carollo.”

POW #: P417
ARRESTED: June 10, 1940
RELEASED: April 12, 1941
NATURALIZED: Yes
BORN: July 25, 1887
DIED:

CAMP(S): Petawawa
TOWN/CITY: Montreal
MARITAL STATUS: Widowed
OCCUPATION: Manager, grocery/butcher shop

RELEASE NOTES: Released unconditionally. This man has been instructed to report to the RCMP Police at Montreal, immediately on arrival, when the matter of his registration and parole will be dealt with.

Antonio Carra was born on July 25, 1887 in Italy. Records indicate that he was either born in Villa Regio, Turin or in Viareggio, Tuscany. He came to Canada in March of 1910 and was naturalized on April 8, 1926. His was married to Maria Sassa who died on July 26, 1936. Carra was left with three children out of whom only one name is known ― Margherita.

In 1940, 53-year-old Carra and his children (aged 23, 19, and 7) lived on St. Lawrence Blvd. in Montreal. Carra owned a Hudson car and he was a manager at a grocery/butcher store, which he recently sold to his niece, Sophia Carra. When Carra was arrested on June 10, 1940, Sophia was left to take care of the business and her cousins.

Biography by Louanne Aspillaga
 

SOURCES:

• Library and Archives Canada, Custodian of Enemy Property: RG117, Vol. 675, Internee File 5417 “Antonio Carra.”
• Minister’s Orders List V1 & V3.

POW #: P348
ARRESTED: June 18, 1940
RELEASED: February 06, 1942
NATURALIZED:
BORN: March 14, 1898
DIED: July 1944

CAMP(S): Petawawa
TOWN/CITY: Windsor
MARITAL STATUS: Married
OCCUPATION: Bartender, Sons of Italy Club

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

Erminio Casanova was married to Rosie Franziera. The couple had three children – Lillian, Bruno and William – who ranged in age from 9 to 13. The Casanovas lived at 690 Windsor Ave. in Windsor.

In January 1940, Casanova began working as a bartender for the Sons of Italy Club at 370 Brant St. Prior to bartending he did the odd painting job. He had been a citizen (a naturalized British subject) since May 1926.

He passed away in July 1944.

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. 661, Internee File 4297, “Erminio Casanova.”

POW #: P474
ARRESTED: June 10, 1940
RELEASED: February 06, 1943
NATURALIZED: 1930
BORN: 1892
DIED: 1956

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

RELEASE NOTES: Conditional release (see below)

Guido Casini was born in Castelfiorentino, near Florence, Italy and arrived in Canada in 1924. A trained sculptor, Casini had studied in Rome and Florence. He became a citizen (a naturalized British subject) in 1930. He was married to Albertina, and the couple had two children aged 13 and 14 at the time of Casini’s internment. The family lived at 1343 De Montigny East in Montreal, but after the war they lived at 4682 Bourdeaux St.

Casini sculpted the statue of explorer Giovanni Caboto that is located at the corner of Atwater Ave. and Sainte Catherine St. in Montreal. He also assisted painter Guido Nincheri with the fresco of Benito Mussolini in Montreal’s Madonna della Difesa Church. During the course of World War II, the fresco was covered with a tarp by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).

There are published claims that he was active in Italian politics and the local fascio. His name does appear on the government list dating to spring 1940 of “Important Members of the Fascio who are Naturalized and whose Internment is Recommended”.

Casini’s release from Fredericton was conditional. He had to report monthly to RCMP and could not change his address without first notifying them. Any trips outside of Montreal had to be approved by the RCMP. Casini was forbidden from being involved in any fascist organization and he had to “do everything reasonably possible to assist in Canada’s war effort.”

Biography by Travis Tomchuk.

SOURCES:

• Carlevaris, A.M. “Italian artists in Quebec, some methodological considerations”. In Post-migration “Italo-Canada”. Edited by Sonia Cancian and Bruno Ranmirez. Rome: Centro Studi Emigrazione, 2007.
• Library and Archives Canada, Custodian of Enemy Property, RG 117, Vol. 660, Internee File 4225, “Guido Casini.”
• Library and Archives Canada, RCMP, RG 18, Vol. 3563, File C-11-19-2-3 Part 5, Letter from Louis St. Laurent, Minister of Justice, to S.T. Wood, RCMP Commissioner, Feb. 1, 1943.
• Library and Archives Canada, RCMP, RG 18, Vol. 3563, File C-11-19-2-3 Part 4.
• Salvatore, Filippo. Fascism and the Italians of Montreal, An Oral History, 1922-1945. Toronto: Guernica, 1998. 

POW #: K257 / P1035
ARRESTED: June 10, 1940
RELEASED: December 31, 1941
NATURALIZED: Canadian born
BORN: July 03, 1898
DIED:

CAMP(S): Kananaskis, Petawawa
TOWN/CITY: Vancouver
MARITAL STATUS: Separated
OCCUPATION: Operated a rooming house; Bootlegger

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

There is very little information known about Carlo (Charles) Giuseppe Casorzo. He was born in Northfield, British Columbia on July 3, 1898. At the time of his arrest, he was estranged from his wife. He provided her with $20.00 per month for the support of their two children. He operated a rooming house, Drexel Rooms, but it is suggested he was also involved in bootlegging. His wife also accused him of having “people of questionable character living in the house” (John A. Sutherland, Letter to Price Waterhouse & Co, July 9, 1940).

Casorzo was a member of the local fascio – Circolo Giulio Giordano. He had helped organize the group’s Natale Di Roma banquet in April 1940. He was also serving as the Secretary of the Italian War Veterans Club. 

He was acquainted with fellow internee Pasquale Valente. The reasons for his release are not available. Additional biographical information is lacking.

Biography by Lucy Di Pietro
 

SOURCES:

• Culos, Ray. Vancouver’s Society of Italians.  Harbour Publishing, Vancouver: 1998.
• Library and Archives Canada, Custodian of Enemy Property: RG 117, Vol. 697, Internee File 12553, “MV Ghislieri.”
• Library and Archives Canada, Custodian of Enemy Property: RG 117, Vol. 657, Internee File 4504, “Carlo Casorzo.”
• Library and Archives Canada, RCMP: RG 18, F-3, Vol. 3563, Part 5.
• Library and Archives Canada, RCMP: RG 18, Vol. 3568, File A.

POW #: P312
ARRESTED: June 10, 1940
RELEASED: October 29, 1940
NATURALIZED:
BORN: September 21, 1888
DIED:

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

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

Domenico (Dominic) Cattarello was born on September 21, 1888 in Pont Canavese, Italy.

In 1940, he lived on Main St. in South Porcupine (Timmins) with his wife, Lodovica, and an adult daughter. Cattarello was a retired tobacco and confectionery merchant. He had substantial wealth: $1217.85 cash, $884.90 pending pay cheque, $6720 property value, $7260 life insurance policy, and $2795.50 worth of mining shares. He had a $13,569.59 mortgage and $1100 in liabilities.

Biography by Louanne Aspillaga
 

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. 2000, Internee File 4464 “Domenico (Dominic) Belcastro.”
• Library and Archives Canada, RCMP: RG18, Vol. 3568, File A.
• Minister’s Orders List V1 & V2.

POW #:
ARRESTED: June 20, 1940
RELEASED: July 19, 1940
NATURALIZED:
BORN:
DIED:

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

There is very little information known about Ermando Cecconi. Government documents indicate that he was arrested on June 20, 1940, and released on July 19, 1940 from the Immigration Detention building, Vancouver. The reasons for his release are not available. His name appears on the government list of “Important members of the fascio naturalized whose interrogation is recommended.” The Office of the Custodian of Enemy Property maintained a file on this individual, which noted that he was issued a Parole Certificate upon his release.

Biographical information is lacking.

Biography by Lucy Di Pietro
 

Do you know…
What was the nature of Cecconi’s activities with the fascio?
What work did Cecconi do?
What happened to Cecconi after the war?
 
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. 657, Internee File 3967, “Ermando Cecconi.”
• Library and Archives Canada, RCMP: RG 18, C11-19-2-3-pt 4.

POW #: P711
ARRESTED: 1940
RELEASED: December 25, 1941
NATURALIZED: May 04, 1929
BORN: October 25, 1898
DIED:

CAMP(S): Petawawa
TOWN/CITY: Hamilton
MARITAL STATUS: Married
OCCUPATION: Tailor and presser, Coppley, Noyes & Randall Ltd.

RELEASE NOTES: Released conditionally upon his first subscribing to the Undertaking set out in Regulation 24 of the Defence of Canada Regulations

Rocco Celeste was born on October 25, 1898. He served in the Italian Army during World War I where he earned two medals of honour. He arrived to Canada in 1923.

In 1940, he lived on Gibson Ave. in Hamilton. He was married to a lady named Margaret. He worked as a tailor and presser at Coppley, Noyes & Randall Ltd., located at 63 McNab St. North. He owned his house and lot (valued $3000) and a 1937 Hudson car (valued $500). His bank account had $250 and he had a life insurance policy at $1000.

When World War II broke out, Celeste was arrested at his workplace by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). He was arrived at Petawawa Internment Camp on July 18. He was released about a year and a half later on Christmas Day, 1941 at 1:20 pm.

In 1992, Celeste attended a press conference at his local city hall, where he presented a newspaper clipping that he had saved from November 9, 1930. The Hamilton Spectator article covered a local ceremony which honoured Italian veterans who fought in World War I. Celeste was always proud of serving in the Italian Army, alongside British allies, and he was confused when he was interned by the Canadian government. When asked about why he thinks he was interned, Celeste said that it was likely due to his involvement with a local Italian cultural association.

Biography by Louanne Aspillaga.

SOURCES:

• Brown, Barbara. “Apology sought for ‘outrageous’ wartime abuses.’ Hamilton Spectator.  January 20, 1990.
• Hamilton Ontario List.
• 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 4977, “Rocco Celeste.”
• Minister’s Orders List V1 & V5.

POW #: P767
ARRESTED: June 10, 1940
RELEASED: July 28, 1942
NATURALIZED: 1925
BORN: 1904
DIED:

CAMP(S): Petawawa, Fredericton
TOWN/CITY: Montreal
MARITAL STATUS: Married
OCCUPATION: Owner, Progress Printing

RELEASE NOTES: Released conditionally (see below)

Giuseppe (Joseph) Ceretti came to Canada in 1911. He was married to Pina. The couple had nine children: three were born in Italy, the others in Canada. The Cerettis lived at 515 Desjardins St. in Montreal. He became a citizen (a naturalized British subject) in 1925.

At some point after his arrival in Canada, Ceretti operated Progress Printing at 4260 Notre Dame St. East. He suffered a stroke that left him partially paralyzed on the left side. After his stroke, his son Bruno looked after the business. Progress Printing did not generate much income.

In a letter to his wife Pina, Ceretti wrote: “I desire to tell you that I left hell for paradise.” He found life in camp to be much easier than in Montreal. While in camp all of his needs were met. In early April 1941, Ceretti’s 22-year-old daughter passed away. She had been suffering from an illness. Attempts were made to release Ceretti so that he could attend his daughter’s funeral, but this never materialized.

Biography by Travis Tomchuk.
 

SOURCES:

• Library and Archives Canada, Custodian of Enemy Property, RG 117, Vol. 674, Internee File 5340, “Giuseppe Ceretti.”
• Library and Archives Canada, J.D. Hyndman Fonds: MG 30, E182, Vol. 14, Letter from J.D. Hyndman to Minister of Justice, Apr. 8, 1941.

POW #:
ARRESTED: August 12, 1940
RELEASED: July 31, 1941
NATURALIZED: February 18, 1939
BORN:
DIED:

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

RELEASE NOTES: Released on compassionate grounds

Little information is known about Gesuele (Joseph) Cerminare.

SOURCES:

• Library and Archives Canada, Canadian Armed Forces, RG 24, Vol. 6586, File 5-1-1.
• Library and Archives Canada, RCMP, RG 18, Vol. 3563, File C-11-19-2-3 Part 4, Letter from Ernest Lapointe, Minister of Justice, to S.T. Wood, RCMP Commissioner, May 29, 1941.

POW #: P253
ARRESTED: June 10, 1940
RELEASED: September 25, 1943
NATURALIZED:
BORN:
DIED:

CAMP(S): Petawawa, Fredericton
TOWN/CITY: Toronto
MARITAL STATUS: Single
OCCUPATION: Electrician, Florentine Lighting Company

RELEASE NOTES: Conditional release (see below)

Giovanni Giulio Ciacco lived at 196 Jarvis St. in Toronto prior to his internment. After his release, however, he resided at 196 Parliament St. He was an electrician at the Florentine Lighting Company, which was owned by fellow internee Massimo Iacopo Magi.

Ciacco was released from Fredericton Internment Camp with a series of conditions. No record of those conditions was found. However, it is quite likely that he was required to report monthly to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), could not change his address or leave Toronto without first reporting to police, had to obey all laws, was forbidden from engaging in fascist activities and had to “do everything reasonably possible to assist in Canada’s war effort.”

Biography by Travis Tomchuk

SOURCE:

• Library and Archives Canada, Custodian of Enemy Property, RG 117, Vol. 643, Internee File 2886, “Giovanni Ciacco.”

POW #: P236
ARRESTED: June 20, 1940
RELEASED: February 06, 1943
NATURALIZED:
BORN:
DIED:

CAMP(S): Petawawa, Fredericton
TOWN/CITY: Toronto
MARITAL STATUS: Married
OCCUPATION: Employee, Timothy Eaton Company

RELEASE NOTES: Released with conditions (see below)

Luigi (Louis) Ciampolillo lived at 180 Davenport Rd. in Toronto prior to his internment. His wife and children were living in Italy.

After his release, Ciampolillo was required to report monthly to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), could not change his address or leave Toronto without first reporting to police, had to obey all laws, was forbidden to engage in fascist activities and had to “do everything reasonably possible to assist in Canada’s war effort.”

Biography by Travis Tomchuk

SOURCES:

• Library and Archives Canada, Custodian of Enemy Property, RG 117, Vol. 648, Internee File 3273, “Luigi Ciampolillo.”
• Library and Archives Canada, RCMP, RG 18, Vol. 3563, File C-11-19-2-3 Part 6, Letter from Louis St. Laurent, Minister of Justice, to S.T. Wood, RCMP Commissioner, Feb. 1, 1943.

POW #: P1078
ARRESTED: June 20, 1940
RELEASED: November 13, 1941
NATURALIZED: January 02, 1905
BORN:
DIED:

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

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

There is little information on Antonio Cianci.
 

SOURCES:

• Library and Archives Canada, Canadian Armed Forces, RG 24, Vol 6586 File 5-1-1
• Library and Archives Canada, RCMP, RG 18, Vol. 3563, File C-11-19-2-3 Part 1, “Index: Minister’s Orders – Italian.”

POW #: P842
ARRESTED: September 14, 1940
RELEASED: June 17, 1942
NATURALIZED: 1930
BORN: September 23, 1899
DIED:

CAMP(S): Petawawa
TOWN/CITY: Hamilton
MARITAL STATUS: Married
OCCUPATION: Fruit and junk peddler

RELEASE NOTES: Had to report monthly to the authorities

Liborio Cianciolo arrived in Canada in 1924 and became a citizen (a naturalized British subject) in 1930. Cianciolo, his wife and their four sons lived at 49 Barton St. West in Hamilton. Of their four sons, Giuseppe, Francesco and David were born in Canada while Giovanni was born in Italy.

Cianciolo was interned because the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) believed he was a member of the local fascist group or one of its affiliated organizations. He was also thought to have donated money to the Italian Red Cross during Italy’s invasion of Ethiopia in 1935 as well as Hamilton’s Casa d’Italia. The RCMP records on Cianciolo suggest that he may have been a bootlegger and involved with the mafia.

During Cianciolo’s internment, his 18-year-old son Giovanni took over the fruit and junk peddling business to help support the family.

Biography by Travis Tomchuk

SOURCES:

• Library and Archives Canada, Custodian of Enemy Property, RG 117, Vol. 673, Internee File 5235, “Liborio Cianciolo.”
• Library and Archives Canada, RCMP, RG 18, Vol. 3563, File C-11-19-2-3 Part 1, Memorandum to the Inter-Departmental Committee from Unknown, Aug. 22, 1940.

POW #: P274
ARRESTED: June 10, 1940
RELEASED: February 06, 1943
NATURALIZED: Yes
BORN: May 28, 1890
DIED:

CAMP(S): Petawawa, Fredericton
TOWN/CITY: Toronto
MARITAL STATUS: Married
OCCUPATION: Self-employed photographer

RELEASE NOTES: Conditional release (see below)

Luigi Ciano was born in Formia, Lazio, Italy. He was married and had two children: Helen was 10 years old and Henry was 15. Ciano’s wife was institutionalized. By the time Ciano was interned, his son and daughter were living with others. Helen lived with Mrs. Faveri, her godmother, while Henry stayed with his uncle Egilio Ciano, who had a family of his own.

Luigi Ciano was living at 122 Millicent St. in Toronto prior to his internment. He was also a citizen (a naturalized British subject). He was the secretary of the Littorio Lodge of the Order Sons of Italy, which contributed to his arrest and subsequent internment. Libero Sauro, an internee from Toronto who had been released before Ciano, helped fellow internees who were still in camp. Sauro took possession of Ciano’s furniture and looked after it until the latter was released. According to Sauro’s son, Elvino:

There was a member of the [Protestant] church, his name was [Luigi] Ciano, …—there was a very prominent individual in the Fascist Party in Italy called Count Ciano. Now Mr. Ciano had a daughter and a son. I think his wife had died. When he was interned, all his belongings—he was a photographer—all his belongings went to the basement of our church, that’s where everything was. His daughter came to live with us at home. His son, I don’t know where he went to live, whether he went to live on his own or something. They kept him till the end of the war just because his name was Ciano.

Ciano’s release was conditional. He was required to report monthly to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), could not change his address or leave Toronto without first reporting to police, had to obey all laws, was forbidden to engage in fascist activities and had to “do everything reasonably possible to assist in Canada’s war effort.”

When Ciano returned to Toronto from the Fredericton Internment Camp, he stayed at 354 Caledonia Rd. in Toronto – the home of Mrs. Faveri.

Biography by Travis Tomchuk
 

SOURCES:

• Interview with Elvino Sauro. June 21, 2011. Columbus Centre Collection.
• Library and Archives Canada, CSIS, RG 146, Vol. 97, File AH-1999/00227, RCMP, “The Organization and Activities of the Italian Fascist Party in Canada,” 1937.
• Library and Archives Canada, Custodian of Enemy Property, RG 117, Vol. 668, Internee File 4968, “Luigi Ciano.”
• Library and Archives Canada, RCMP, RG 18, Vol. 3563, File C-11-19-2-3 Part 1, Letter from Louis St. Laurent, Minister of Justice, to S.T. Wood, RCMP Commissioner, Feb. 1, 1943.
• Luigi Ciano, Letter to Libero Sauro, Toronto, Jan. 30, 1941, Columbus Centre Collection.

POW #:
ARRESTED: June 10, 1940
RELEASED: January 30, 1943
NATURALIZED:
BORN:
DIED:

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

RELEASE NOTES: Conditional release (see below)

According to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), Raffaele Ciarfella was the leader of a fascio that held meetings at a Roman Catholic church on Dufferin St. in Toronto. The RCMP referred to this group as the Dufferin Street Fascio though it is not known if this was the organization’s official name.

Ciarfella was released with the following conditions: he was required to report monthly to RCMP, could not change his address or leave Toronto without first reporting to police, had to obey all laws, was forbidden from engaging in fascist activities and had to “do everything reasonably possible to assist in Canada’s war effort.”

Biography by Travis Tomchuk

SOURCES:

• Library and Archives Canada, CSIS, RG 146, Vol. 97, File AH-1999/00227, RCMP, “The Organization and Activities of the Italian Fascist Party in Canada,” 1937.
• Library and Archives Canada, RCMP, RG 18, Vol. 3563, File C-11-19-2-3 Part 1, Letter from Louis St. Laurent, Minister of Justice, to S.T. Wood, RCMP Commissioner, Jan. 30, 1943.

POW #:
ARRESTED: June 12, 1940
RELEASED: December 08, 1942
NATURALIZED: 1921
BORN: December 05, 1896
DIED:

CAMP(S): Petawawa, Fredericton
TOWN/CITY: Windsor
MARITAL STATUS: Married
OCCUPATION: Engineer

RELEASE NOTES: Conditional release (see below)

Nicola (Nick) Cicchini arrived in Canada in 1910 and became a citizen (a naturalized British subject) in 1921. He was an engineer, but his place of work is not known. He was married and lived at 937 Lillian St. in Windsor.

At some point after his arrival in Canada and prior to his internment, Cicchini had served a two-and-a-half year sentence at the Kingston Penitentiary for safe-breaking.

Cicchini was arrested on June 12, 1940, at the home of Vincenzo Renda, whom the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) considered one of the most dangerous fascists in the country. Cicchini was charged with being a fascist, but he only admitted to being a member of the Order Sons of Italy.

Cicchini was released from internment with the following conditions: he was required to report monthly to RCMP, could not change his address or leave Toronto without first reporting to police, had to obey all laws, was forbidden from engaging in fascist activities and had to “do everything reasonably possible to assist in Canada’s war effort.”

Biography by Travis Tomchuk

SOURCES:

• Library and Archives Canada, RCMP, RG 18, Vol. 3563, File C-11-19-2-3 Part 6, Letter from Louis St. Laurent, Minister of Justice, to S.T. Wood, RCMP Commissioner, Jan. 30, 1943.
• Library and Archives Canada, RCMP, RG 18, Vol. 3563, File C-11-19-2-3 Part 6, Memorandum to the Inter-Departmental Committee from Unknown, “Re: Nicholas Cicchini, Windsor, Ont.,” no date.
• Windsor Public Library Archives, RG 8, Criminal Records Branch, Prisoners Registers 1920-1950.

POW #: P1114
ARRESTED: July 24, 1940
RELEASED: December 31, 1941
NATURALIZED: Yes
BORN:
DIED:

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

RELEASE NOTES: Conditional release (see below)

Felice Cillis was married to Rosie, and the couple lived at 104 East 4th Ave. in Vancouver. Cillis was interned because he was a member of the fascist group Circolo Giulio Giordani. His release conditions were as follows: he had to report to RCMP (la Regia polizia a cavallo canadese) 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. 698, Internee File 13286, “Felice Cillis.”
• Library and Archives Canada, RCMP: RG 18, Vol. 3563, File C-11-19-2-3, Part 1, Letter from Norman A. Robertson, Chair of the Inter-Departmental Committee, to Ernest Lapointe, Minister of Justice, July 24, 1940.

POW #: P624
ARRESTED: June 25, 1940
RELEASED: May 29, 1942
NATURALIZED: 1931
BORN:
DIED:

CAMP(S): Petawawa
TOWN/CITY: Hamilton
MARITAL STATUS: Married
OCCUPATION: Operated a fruit and vegetable store

RELEASE NOTES: Had to report monthly to the authorities

Gaetano Tommaso (Tony) Cino was married to Florence and the couple had five children: Rose was 17, Angeline 15, Carmen 14, Francis 12 and Samuel 6. Cino operated a fruit and vegetable store at 595½ Barton St. East in Hamilton, and the Cinos lived above the store. In 1939, the fruit and vegetable store did not make a profit, and Cino owed money to a few wholesalers. The store closed during Cino’s internment, and his family received a relief payment of $50.34 per month. Cino became a citizen (a naturalized British subject) in 1930.

After Cino was released from Petawawa in 1942, he worked for the Hamilton Bridge Company in its West End Plant. The following year, however, he lost an arm during a work accident and could no longer perform his duties at the plant. Cino and his family lived at 10 Florence St. after the World War II.

Biography by Travis Tomchuk

SOURCES:

• Archives of Ontario, F4378, Order Sons of Italy, Grand Lodge Records, “Tom Cino Petition,” Dec. 2, 1947.
• Library and Archives Canada, Custodian of Enemy Property, RG 117, Vol. 655, Internee File 3825, “Tommaso Cino.”

POW #:
ARRESTED: June 10, 1940
RELEASED: March 12, 1941
NATURALIZED:
BORN: June 22, 1899
DIED:

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

Buonaventura Cipparone was born in 1899 in Pietrafitta, Cosenza, Italy. He and his wife lived at 2337 Turner Rd. in Windsor.

Biography by Travis Tomchuk
 

SOURCE:

• Windsor Public Library Archives, RG 8, Criminal Records Branch, Prisoners Registers 1920-1950.

POW #: P437
ARRESTED: June 10, 1940
RELEASED: July 17, 1941
NATURALIZED:
BORN:
DIED:

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

Pietro Citti was married to Annette and the couple lived at 6700 Drolet St. in Montreal. According to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), Citti was an advisor on the executive committee of Montreal’s dopolavoro.

Biography by Travis Tomchuk
 

SOURCES:

• Library and Archives Canada, CSIS, RG 146, Vol. 97, File AH-1999/00227, RCMP, “The Organization and Activities of the Italian Fascist Party in Canada,” 1937.
• Library and Archives Canada, Custodian of Enemy Property, RG 117, Vol. 690, Internee File 7580, “Pietro Citti.”

POW #: P259
ARRESTED: October 06, 1940
RELEASED: September 08, 1942
NATURALIZED:
BORN:
DIED:

CAMP(S): Petawawa, Fredericton
TOWN/CITY: Toronto
MARITAL STATUS: Married
OCCUPATION: Unemployed

RELEASE NOTES: Conditional release (see below)

Pietro Ciurluini was married to Jennie and the couple had four children: Maria was 14, Agostino 12, Luigi 11 and Filomena was 9. The Ciurluinis lived at 109 Lightbourne Ave. in Toronto. 

Ciurluini ran a bakery until 1934, but was unemployed at the time of his internment. At the time of his arrest he was a citizen (a naturalized British subject). The family had applied for relief, but records do not indicate whether assistance was received. Jennie worked part time for York Knitting Mill and two boarders stayed at the house, but these sources of income were not enough to support the family.

When Ciurluini was released, he was required to report monthly to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), could not change his place of residence or travel outside of Toronto without first reporting to police, had to obey all laws, was forbidden from engaging in fascist activities, and had to “do everything reasonably possible to assist in Canada’s war effort.”

Biography by Travis Tomchuk
 

SOURCES:

• Library and Archives Canada, Custodian of Enemy Property, RG 117, Vol. 661, Internee File 4420, “Pietro Ciurluini.”
• Library and Archives Canada, RCMP, RG 18, Vol. 3563, File C-11-19-2-3 Part 1, Letter from Louis St. Laurent, Minister of Justice, to S.T. Wood, RCMP Commissioner, Sept. 1, 1942.

POW #: P775
ARRESTED: August 09, 1940
RELEASED: August 13, 1941
NATURALIZED: 1926
BORN:
DIED:

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

RELEASE NOTES: Had to report monthly to the authorities

Pio Cobetto lived with his wife at 7772 Casgrain St. in Montreal.

Biography by Travis Tomchuk

SOURCE:

• Library and Archives Canada, Custodian of Enemy Property, RG 117, Vol. 684, Internee File 6322, “Pio Cobetto.”

POW #: P878
ARRESTED: September 05, 1940
RELEASED: December 21, 1943
NATURALIZED:
BORN: October 29, 1912
DIED:

CAMP(S): Petawawa, Fredericton
TOWN/CITY: Toronto
MARITAL STATUS: Single
OCCUPATION: Taxi driver, National Taxi Ltd.

Francesco (Frank) Cocomille was born on October 29, 1912 in Italy. He was arrested on September 5, 1940 and interned at Camp Petawawa and Camp Fredericton.  He was released on December 21, 1943.

An investigation by the Custodian of Enemy Property discovered that Cocomille was a taxi driver at National Taxi Ltd. (located on 252 Victoria St.); that he lived with his parents on Henderson Ave.; and that his mother was in the hospital at some point during his internment. Further, Cocomille owned a 1931 Ford coupe and his bank account held a balance of $270. Government records also state that Frank Carre was his “former name” although it is unclear if it is indeed his birth name.

Fellow internee, Vincenzo Poggi, mentions in a letter that Cocomille was one of pro-fascist, Nello Trasciatti’s “three stooges.”  In one incident, Poggi claims that upon Trasciatti’s orders, Cocomille and Osvaldo Giacomelli, threw his bed and blankets out of the hut.  Poggi writes: “I asked Cocomille politely the reason for this unjustable act and humiliation.  He answered in an arrogant manner, ‘It’s none of your business.’ I did not stay to argue with Cocomille for I had heard that this man Cocomille is quite dangerous when aroused and that he also had a criminal record.”

Biography by Louanne Aspillaga

SOURCES:

• Letter by Vincenzo Poggi. CWM 20020203-020, Canadian War Museum.
• Library and Archives Canada, Custodian of Enemy Property: RG117, Vol. 675, Internee File 5444 “Francesco Cocomille.”
• Library and Archives Canada, RCMP: RG18, Vol. 3568, File A.
• Minister’s Orders List V1 & V3.

POW #: P256
ARRESTED: June 10, 1940
RELEASED: March 08, 1942
NATURALIZED:
BORN: September 07, 1901
DIED:

CAMP(S): Petawawa
TOWN/CITY: Toronto
MARITAL STATUS: Married
OCCUPATION: Bricklayer/Casual labourer, Forest Hill Development

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

Giovanni Cognigni was married to Enis, and the couple had three children who ranged in age from two to twelve years. After Cognigni was interned, his family received $4.17 per week in relief.

Biography by Travis Tomchuk
 
SOURCE:

• Library and Archives Canada, Custodian of Enemy Property, RG 117, Vol. 668, Internee File 4940, “Giovanni Cognigni.”

POW #: P441
ARRESTED: June 10, 1940
RELEASED: January 28, 1941
NATURALIZED:
BORN:
DIED:

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

RELEASE NOTES: Unconditional release

Very little is known about Giuseppe Colameo. He lived at 6552 Marquette Ave. in Montreal at the time of his arrest.

Biography by Travis Tomchuk
 

SOURCE:

• Library and Archives Canada, Custodian of Enemy Property: RG 117, Vol. 691, Internee File 8055, “Giuseppe Colameo.”

POW #:
ARRESTED: July 02, 1940
RELEASED: August 03, 1940
NATURALIZED:
BORN:
DIED:

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

Pasquale (Patsy) Colangelo, an architect, was arrested on July 2, 1940 at his workplace at 1540 Stanley St. in Montreal. He was released a month later due to lack of evidence regarding his participation in the fascio. It is unclear whether or not Colangelo actually made it to Petawawa or if he was only detained at the local Bordeaux Jail. There is no other information on him.

Biography by Louanne Aspillaga

SOURCES:

• Library and Archives Canada, Custodian of Enemy Property: RG117, Vol. 1986, Internee File 4160 “Patsy Colangelo.”
• Minister’s Orders List.

POW #: P710
ARRESTED: June 10, 1940
RELEASED: March 03, 1942
NATURALIZED: January 27, 1936
BORN: 1913
DIED:

CAMP(S): Petawawa
TOWN/CITY: Hamilton
MARITAL STATUS: Single
OCCUPATION: Employee, Coppley Noyes & Randall Ltd.

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

Berlino Colangelo joined his father Urbano in Canada in 1930. He was sixteen years old. His mother and brother remained in Italy. They were prevented from immigrating in 1939 due to the outbreak of war; the family would finally be reunited in 1948.

Colangelo worked as a tailor for Coppley, Noyes & Randall. Among his work colleagues were Alfonso Borsellino, Rocco Celeste, and Guido Gioberti; all would be interned. However, Colangelo was fortunate that on his release from internment, he was able to return to Coppley, Noyes & Randall. He would work for the company for 45 years.

At the time of his arrest on June 10, 1940, the factory was under contract to manufacture military uniforms. Two Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) officers approached Colangelo at work, and first asked for the foreman. They then asked for his name. When Colangelo identified himself, the officers noted that they were in fact looking for him. Colangelo was asked to go with them, but was not provided with an explanation. He was taken to the city jail on Barton Street. He was later interned at Petawawa Internment Camp on July 18, 1940.

Colangelo was 27 and single at the time. An active member of the Italian Canadian community, he belonged to the church choir for St. Anthony, and he played guitar and sang at Hamilton’s Casa d’Italia. He also was a member of the dopolavoro. With the outbreak of war, and the fear it caused in the community, Colangelo had helped organize a meeting on September 7, 1939, at the Casa d’Italia affirming the loyalty of Italian Canadians. Attended by 200 people, guests included the Mayor of Hamilton, William Morrison, and John P. MacKay, M.P.P.

He believed he was interned because of his involvement at the Casa d’Italia, where he also helped organize dances. Funds raised from these events helped send local Italian-Canadian children to Italy in the summer. Colangelo’s future wife Fernada went to the Italian school at the Casa d’Italia. She remembered the fear of Italian parents whose children attended Italian school. Many burned their children’s textbooks.

Colangelo also believed that certain members of the community had acted as paid informants, motivated by personal animosity as well as greed. 

In camp, Colangelo played the guitar in the small orchestra organized by the internees. It is presumed the guitar is the same as the one his father sought permission to send him:

As you already know my son Berlino Colangelo is in a concentration camp, and you have registered all his property. The last two or three letters he has written me request me to send his guitar which he says he would like to have very much. The purpose of this letter is to ask your permission which I presume is needed before sending his guitar. Please let me know at your earliest convenience if I could send the same. Hoping for a speedy reply. (Urbano Colangelo to Custodian of Enemy Property, September 13, 1940, RG117-a-3, Vol. 670, File no. 5028, LAC)

Other band members in camp included Panfilo (Benny) Ferri on saxophone, Donato Borrillo on the accordion, and Alfonso Borsellino, Antonio Di Pietro, Nicola Frascarelli and Luigi Ciampolillo on the mandolin. John Parente was the singer.

He also did some tailoring, helping with the hemming and mending of the other internees’ clothes. According to his wife, he also painted and did some woodwork.

Although Colangelo’s case was reviewed, his detention was ordered to be continued on October 1, 1941. Colangleo was not present for this hearing. His release was obtained after a second hearing when both Colangelo and a lawyer were present.

About a year after his release, Colangelo married Fernada (Canadian-born). Their families were paesani. The couple would have six children. He kept in touch with the other internees from Hamilton. After his marriage, his wife also remembers a visit from Father Benedetto Maltempi (also interned) from Montreal who joined the family for dinner.

His son Joseph Colangelo, a lawyer, represented internee Osvaldo Giacomelli’s in his 2004 individual lawsuit for redress against the Government of Canada.

Biography by Lucy Di Pietro

SOURCES:

• Bagnell, Kenneth. Canadese: A Portrait of the Italian Canadians. Toronto: Macmillan, 1989.
• Hamilton Spectator. “Local Italians Affirm Loyalty to British Flag”. September 8, 1939.
• Interview with Berlino Colangelo. May 9, 1977. ITA-807-COL, Multicultural History Society of Ontario.
• Interview with Fernada Colangelo. August 7, 2011 and May 21, 2011. ICEA2011.0023.0001-0002. Columbus Centre Collection.
• Library and Archives Canada, Custodian of Enemy Property (CEP): RG117-a-3, Vol. 670, File no. 5028.
• Library and Archives Canada, RCMP: RG18, F-3, Vol 3563, Part 5.
• Library and Archives Canada: RG24, Vol 6586, File 5-1-1.
• Nicaso, Antonio. Rocco Perri: The Story of Canada’s Most Notorious Bootlegger. Mississauga: John Wiley & Sons Canada Ltd, 2004.
• Wilson, Paul. “The Internees Part 2: Canada’s forgotten Italian Wartime prisoners”. Hamilton Spectator. February 12, 1985.

POW #: P812
ARRESTED: June 10, 1940
RELEASED: February 10, 1941
NATURALIZED: August 29, 1922
BORN: January 01, 1888
DIED:

CAMP(S): Petawawa
TOWN/CITY: Windsor
MARITAL STATUS: Married
OCCUPATION: Contractor, Colautti Brothers Construction

RELEASE NOTES: Released unconditionally

Antonio Colautti was born in 1888 in Poincicco, Zoppola, Udine, Italy. He arrived in Canada on February 15, 1915. He first settled in Montreal, where he remained until 1919. Some time after his arrival in Canada, Colautti married Maria and they had six children. At the time of Colautti’s arrest, Guerino Joseph was 25, Narcisso 20, Enes 18, Walter 16, John 10 and Lecha was 8. The Colauttis lived at 746 Langlois Ave. in Windsor.

Colautti owned and operated Colautti Brothers Construction. The company employed between 15 and 200 men depending on the projects. Colautti was constantly travelling because of his work and did not have a great deal of time for “social matters.” He was a member of the Giovanni Caboto Club and the Knights of Columbus, but he denied any involvement in fascist activities.

Biography by Travis Tomchuk

SOURCES:

• Library and Archives Canada, Custodian of Enemy Property, RG 117, Vol. 672, Internee File 5137, “Antonio Colautti.”
• Library and Archives Canada, J.D. Hyndman Fonds: MG 30 E182, Vol. 14, Letter from J.D. Hyndman to Ernest Lapointe, Minister of Justice, Dec. 18, 1940.
• Windsor Public Library Archives, RG 8, Criminal Records Branch, Prisoners Registers 1920-1950.

POW #:
ARRESTED: June 10, 1940
RELEASED: June 11, 1941
NATURALIZED: 1913
BORN: 1887
DIED:

CAMP(S): Petawawa
TOWN/CITY: Windsor
MARITAL STATUS: Married
OCCUPATION: Employee, Windsor Hydro Commission

Umberto Colautti arrived in Canada in 1910 and became a citizen (a naturalized British subject) in 1913. He was active in his local Catholic parish, and he was secretary of the Associazione Ex Combattenti (Association of Italian War Veterans). His wife was a member of the Order Sons of Italy because of the disability and death benefits it provided. The couple had six children together.

Biography by Travis Tomchuk

SOURCE:

• Library and Archives Canada, J.D. Hyndman Fonds: MG 30, E182, Vol. 14, Letter from J.D. Hyndman to Ernest Lapointe, Minister of Justice, June 10, 1940.

POW #:
ARRESTED: June 10, 1940
RELEASED: November 04, 1942
NATURALIZED:
BORN:
DIED:

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

RELEASE NOTES: Released conditionally (see below)

At the time of his arrest, Giacomo Colizza was a member of the Order Sons of Italy in Sault Ste. Marie. He appears to have either been a fascist or, at the very least, a fascist sympathizer. After he was interned, Colizza was expelled from the Order Sons of Italy.

Colizza was released from Fredericton Internment Camp in November 1942 but had to comply with several conditions: he had to report monthly to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), he could not change his place of residence, and he could not travel outside Toronto without first reporting to police.

Biography by Travis Tomchuk

SOURCE:

• Library and Archives Canada, RCMP, RG 18, Vol. 3563, File C-11-19-2-3 Part 6, Letter from Louis St. Laurent, Minister of Justice, to S.T. Wood, RCMP Commissioner, Nov. 4, 1942.

POW #:
ARRESTED: June 10, 1940
RELEASED:
NATURALIZED:
BORN: 1878
DIED: 1960

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

Giovanni Clemente Colombo was an Italian consular agent for the District of Sudbury.

Biography by Travis Tomchuk

SOURCE:

• Giommi, Don. Up the Hill: The Italians of Copper Cliff. Sudbury: Copper Cliff Italian Heritage, 1997.

POW #: P529
ARRESTED: June 25, 1940
RELEASED: September 19, 1942
NATURALIZED:
BORN:
DIED:

CAMP(S): Petawawa, Kananaskis
TOWN/CITY: Cape Breton
MARITAL STATUS: Married
OCCUPATION: Miner

RELEASE NOTES: Conditional release (see below)

Giobatta Comelli was married to Anna. The couple had four adult children who were over the age of 21 in 1940. The family lived on McKay St. in the 14 Yard District of New Waterford. Many miners and their families lived in this poor section of town. The eldest son (name unknown) worked as a miner for $15 to $20 per week and paid board to his mother. The daughter, Clorie, ran a confectionery store and made roughly $5 to $6 a week. Another son, Richard, enlisted with the Canadian Army.

At the time of his arrest, Comelli and others from New Waterford were taken by car to a jail in Sydney. The next day, everyone was placed on a train headed for Moncton, New Brunswick. From there, the internees were placed on a train heading towards the Petawawa Internment Camp. Comelli’s family had no idea why he had been arrested or where he was being taken.

Comelli’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 New Waterford without the consent of RCMP, and was forbidden to be involved in fascist activities or organizations.

Biography by Travis Tomchuk
 
SOURCES:

• Bagnell, Kenneth. Canadese: A Portrait of the Italian Canadians. Toronto: Macmillan, 1989.
• Library and Archives Canada, Custodian of Enemy Property: RG 117, Vol. 699, Internee File 13618, “Giobatta Comelli.”

POW #: K534 / P1116
ARRESTED:
RELEASED: November 19, 1941
NATURALIZED:
BORN:
DIED:

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

RELEASE NOTES: Had to report monthly to the authorities

Francesco Comparelli was married to Matilde and the couple had at least one child – a daughter named Jennie. Comparelli’s grocery store was located at 1227 East Hastings St. in Vancouver, and the family lived at this address as well. During her father’s internment, Jennie ran the grocery store. However, the store’s income was barely enough to support the family.

Biography by Travis Tomchuk
 
SOURCE:

• Library and Archives Canada, Custodian of Enemy Property, RG 117, Vol. 664, Internee File 4725, “Francesco Comparelli.”

POW #: P257
ARRESTED: June 10, 1940
RELEASED: June 10, 1942
NATURALIZED:
BORN: May 06, 1893
DIED:

CAMP(S): Petawawa
TOWN/CITY: Toronto
MARITAL STATUS: Married
OCCUPATION: Truck driver, Maybee and Fugler

RELEASE NOTES: Had to report monthly to the authorities

Fioravante Contini was born in 1893 in Fossacesia, Chieti, Italy. He was married to Julia, and the couple had five children: Anne was 18, Lydia 16, Alice 15, Robert 12 and Helen was 4. The Continis lived at 24 Beaver St. in Toronto.

Biography by Travis Tomchuk
 
SOURCE:

• Library and Archives Canada, Custodian of Enemy Property, RG 117, Vol. 668, Internee File 4958, “Fioravante Contini.”

POW #: P227
ARRESTED: June 10, 1940
RELEASED: January 28, 1941
NATURALIZED:
BORN: November 08, 1897
DIED: July 10, 1975

CAMP(S): Petawawa
TOWN/CITY: Toronto
MARITAL STATUS: Married
OCCUPATION: Candy moulder, Rowntree Company

Tommaso (Thomas) Contini was born on November 8, 1897 in San Vito, Chietini, Chieti, Italy.

According to the family, Contini fought in England and France during World War I. He was in  the Canadian Expeditionary Force from November 13, 1917 to April 1, 1919 and was discharged due to demobilization. 

He married Grazia and the couple had four children: Marie, John, Lena and Thomas Jr.

Following Contini’s internment, his wife asked Rowntree if it would pay her the wages owed to her husband. This was the only source of income for the family. The company responded that it would contact the authorities to ensure this could be done. In the end, the unpaid wages were given to Mrs. Contini.

Biography by Travis Tomchuk
 
SOURCES:

• Correspondence with Contini family. Project Staff at Columbus Centre of Toronto, May 2012.
• Library and Archives Canada, Custodian of Enemy Property, RG 117, Vol. 647, Internee File 3163, “Tommaso Contini.”

POW #: P781
ARRESTED: August 09, 1940
RELEASED: August 02, 1941
NATURALIZED: 1933
BORN:
DIED:

CAMP(S): Petawawa
TOWN/CITY: Montreal
MARITAL STATUS: Married
OCCUPATION: Co-owner, small grocery and butcher shop

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

Not much is known about Luigi (Louis) Corbelli. Married with no children, he owned a small grocery and butcher shop in partnership with Raphael Frilla. At the time of his arrest Corbelli had been a citizen (a naturalized British subject) since 1933. His wife worked as a dress designer. He owned property and a 1940 Dodge, which the Custodian of Enemy Property tried to sell against his wishes. On his behalf, and in support of his wife, Joseph Jean (Liberal M.P. for Mercier) wrote to the Secretary of State:

Madame L. Corbelli dont le mari est interné à Petawawa en vertu des règlements de la Défense du Canada a reçu un avis de la maison “Price Waterhouse & Co” … séquestrer des biens de monsieur Corbelli, d’avoir à vendre une automobile Dodge 1940, qui se trouve à faire partie des biens séquestrés. Des instances se font dans le moment pour faire libérer monsieur Corbelli, et je crois moi-même qu’il est innocent. Madame Corbelli aimerait bien que cette automobile ne soit pas vendue avant qu’une decision finale ne soit prise dans le cas de son mari. Pourriez-vous donner des instructions en conséquence, et me croire … (Joseph Jean, M.P., to Pierre F. Casgrain, Secretary of State, July 3, 1941).

Corbelli was released one month later. The reasons for his arrest are not known.

Biography by Lucy Di Pietro

Do you know…
What was Corbelli’s life in Canada like prior to the war?
Why was he interned?
 
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. 657, Internee File 4027, “Luigi Corbelli.”
• Library and Archives Canada, RCMP: RG 18, F-3, Vol. 3563, Part 4.

POW #: P542
ARRESTED: June 10, 1940
RELEASED: June 13, 1942
NATURALIZED:
BORN: March 19, 1883
DIED: March 16, 1963

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

RELEASE NOTES: Released conditionally (see below)

Achille Corbo and his wife Amelia arrived in Canada via New York City in the 1900s. The couple lived at 7228 Saint Denis St. in Montreal with their four children. Corbo was a founding member of the San Giuseppe Orphanage, Madonna della Difesa, and was instrumental in convincing the Quebec government to allow the teaching of Italian in schools located in areas with high concentrations of Italian Canadians. He was also active in the Order Sons of Italy.

According to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), he was the leader of the Mile End branch of Fascio Giovanni Luparini as well as leader of the neighbourhood’s dopolavoro. Corbo’s involvement in these organizations led to his internment. His son Nicola Corbo was also interned.

His granddaughter stated that Corbo was a supporter of Mussolini, that he did not consider this contrary to being a good Canadian, and that he donated gold to pay for the Vatican. (However, research conducted by the ICEA project indicates that the gold donated went towards the Ethiopian campaign). Corbo was released from Petawawa with conditions: he had to report weekly to the RCMP, he had to remain in his home between 9:30 p.m. and 5:00 a.m., and he had to obey Canada’s laws.

Biography by Travis Tomchuk

SOURCES:

• Interview with Sandra Corbo. June 19, 2011. Columbus Centre Collection.
• Library and Archives Canada, Custodian of Enemy Property, RG 117, Vol. 692, Internee File 9004, “Achille Corbo.”

POW #: P454
ARRESTED: June 10, 1940
RELEASED: June 28, 1941
NATURALIZED:
BORN: 1907
DIED: 1986

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

RELEASE NOTES: Released conditionally

Nicola Leopoldo Corbo lived at 7228 Saint Denis St. in Montreal with his parents, his sister and two brothers. His notary office was also located at this address. At the time of his internment, Corbo was engaged to Mignonne Côté. Nicola’s father Achille Corbo was also interned.

After his release from the Petawawa Internment Camp, Corbo resumed his work as a notary.

Biography by Travis Tomchuk

SOURCES:

• Interview with Sandra Corbo. June 19, 2011. Columbus Centre Collection.
• Library and Archives Canada, Custodian of Enemy Property, RG 117, Vol. 662, Internee File 4542, “Nicola Leopoldo Corbo.”

POW #: P987
ARRESTED: February 12, 1941
RELEASED: August 19, 1941
NATURALIZED: May 29, 1930
BORN: November 1892
DIED:

CAMP(S): Petawawa
TOWN/CITY: Hamilton
MARITAL STATUS: Married
OCCUPATION: Self-employed Horse Master (Owner and Trainer), Gangster

RELEASE NOTES: Conditional release upon undertaking Regulation 24 (Defence of Canada Regulations) and reporting monthly to the RCMP in Hamilton

Francesco Cordi (alias Frank Corde) was born in Italy in 1892. He arrived in Canada in 1909 via New York, U.S.A., aboard the S.S. Tormina. He was naturalized on May 29, 1930 (Certificate No. 70247 – Series A). He was Roman Catholic.

At the outbreak of World War II, Cordi was issued the Enemy Alien designation on October 22, 1940 (Certificate No. 28567). On the morning of February 12, 1941, Cordi was arrested by Constables R.I. Touchie and C. MacFarlane of the Hamilton City Police. Cordi was photographed and fingerprinted. At the time of his arrest, Cordi was living on Caroline St. North in Hamilton. He was married to a Margaret Knight. They did not have children.

When questioned, Cordi stated that upon his arrival in Canada, he worked as a labourer in Port Arthur and St. Catharines, before settling in Hamilton in 1920. Cordi claimed to be self-employed, since 1939, as a horse trainer and owner. His assets included his house, a 1938 Dodge Sedan, and a race horse named Lady Awake.  He did not own a bank account or life insurance. 

Interrogation notes state that “since 1920, he made his living by bootlegging, alcohol running, dope (drugs) peddling, gambling, training and owning race horses. He was a member of the Sons of Italy during the year of 1937 and according to S.A. 909 he is a member of the Maffia.” Cordi is said to have been a close associate to Giovanni (John) Durso. 

Cordi was interned at Camp Petawawa from April 2, 1941, to August 19, 1941.

Biography by Louanne Aspillaga

Do you know…
Why was Cordi released so soon given the evidence of his criminal activities?

SOURCES:

• Hamilton List.
• Library and Archives Canada, Custodian of Enemy Property: RG 117, Series A-3, Vol. 2167, Internee File 10123-1, “Francesco Cordi.”
• Minister’s Order, List V2, V3 & V4.

POW #: P626
ARRESTED: June 11, 1940
RELEASED: April 24, 1941
NATURALIZED: 1929
BORN: September 20, 1900
DIED:

CAMP(S): Petawawa
TOWN/CITY: Niagara Region
MARITAL STATUS: Married
OCCUPATION: Poultry Farmer; Painter

RELEASE NOTES: Unconditional release but had to report to the authorities on arrival, for further instruction regarding registration and parole

Giuseppe (Joseph Henry) Coscarella was married to Elisa Mannarino with two children: Paul  was 16 and Lydia was 15. He rented a farm in Stamford (now a neighbourhood in Niagara Falls), where he kept 500 chickens. Not much is known about his social or political activities. Government documents note that he held an insurance policy with the Order Sons of Italy, and that he was an important member of the fascio who was not naturalized. This conflicts with other accounts that indicate he became a citizen (a naturalized British subject) in 1929.

Coscarella was either ill at the time of his internment or became ill shortly thereafter. We know he was taken to a military hospital in Toronto, where his wife was able to visit him.

His family struggled during this time. Coscarella’s son, Paul, managed the farm in his father’s absence. They had no money and made do with the sale of eggs and chickens from the farm. It seems some people in the community may have tried to take advantage of the family’s situation:

When you were down here I believe you told me that if anything went wrong concerning any debts that were made when my husband was here I was to let you know. Yesterday we had trouble with the truck … they said it would cost five dollars … when my son went to get it back they said the repairs would cost eighteen dollars and the old balance was twenty eight dollars, and that he could not take it home until he paid the whole amount which comes to forty-six dollars. I could not pay that much… My son needs the truck to deliver eggs with and without it we will lose many customers (Mrs. J.H. Coscarella to Inspectors for the Custodian of Enemy Property, October 2, 1940).

The repair charge would be equivalent to about $700 today. The Custodian of Enemy Property responded that it had no further interest in the case and was unable to assist the family.

Coscarella was released on compassionate grounds due to ill health.

Biography by Lucy Di Pietro

Do you know…
Did Paul have to leave school to help his family during his father’s internment?
 
SOURCES:

• Library and Archives Canada, Custodian of Enemy Property: RG 117, Vol. 657, Internee File 3927, “Giuseppe Coscarella.”
• Library and Archives Canada, RCMP: RG 18, F-3, Vol. 3563, Part 3.
• Library and Archives Canada, RCMP: RG 18, Vol. 3568, File A.
• Library and Archives Canada, RCMP: RG 18, Vol. 3565, File C-11-19-2-3, Part 4.

POW #: P998
ARRESTED: February 13, 1941
RELEASED: August 17, 1941
NATURALIZED: November 10, 1932
BORN: October 05, 1896
DIED:

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

RELEASE NOTES: Unconditional release

In 1914, Emanuele Cosentino came to Canada by train from New York City. At the time of his arrest, he lived at 265 Dante St. East in Montreal. 

According to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), Cosentino was a member of the Fascio Giovanni Luparini, the dopolavoro and the Casa d’Italia. He was also alleged to have expressed anti-British sentiments, to have donated money to the Montreal Casa d’Italia and to the Italian Red Cross during the Italian invasion of Ethiopia in 1935. Cosentino was reported to be a leader of a fascist band, whose members wore black shirts during performances.

Biography by Travis Tomchuk

SOURCES:

• Library and Archives Canada, Custodian of Enemy Property: RG 117, Vol. 693, Internee File 9102, “Emanuele Cosentino.”
• Library and Archives Canada, RCMP: RG 18, Vol. 3563, File C-11-19-2-3, Part 2, Letter from RCMP to Inter-Departmental Committee, Nov. 22, 1940.

POW #: P487
ARRESTED: June 10, 1940
RELEASED: March 11, 1941
NATURALIZED: 1922
BORN: 1898
DIED:

CAMP(S): Petawawa
TOWN/CITY: Montreal
MARITAL STATUS: Single
OCCUPATION: Hatchman, Dominion Coal Company

RELEASE NOTES: Unconditional release

Paolo Costa came to Canada in 1902 at the age of four. At the time of his arrest, he lived at 2201 Aylwin St. in Montreal. In an interview with J.D. Hyndman, a judge appointed to review the cases of internees, Costa stated that the only organization to which he belonged was the National Coal Union. He also told Hyndman that, with the exception of a 1924 charge for having a case of beer in his home, he had had no trouble with authorities.

Biography by Travis Tomchuk
 
SOURCES:

• Library and Archives Canada, Custodian of Enemy Property: RG 117, Vol. 693, Internee File 9105, “Paolo Costa.”
• Library and Archives Canada, J.D. Hyndman Fonds: MG 30, E 182, Vol. 14, Letter to Ernest Lapointe, Minister of Justice, Jan. 7, 1941.

POW #: P189
ARRESTED: June 10, 1940
RELEASED: February 02, 1941
NATURALIZED: February 1925
BORN: September 15, 1893
DIED: 1951

CAMP(S): Petawawa
TOWN/CITY: Ottawa
MARITAL STATUS: Widowed
OCCUPATION: Baggage checker, Union Station, Ottawa

RELEASE NOTES: Had to report monthly to the authorities

Giuseppe (Joseph/Peppino) Costantini was born in 1893 in Mutignano, Abruzzo, Italy. He lived at 261 Rochester St. with his seven children. At the time of his arrest Catherine (Kay) was 20, Albert 18, Edward 16, Eleanor 13, Gloria 11 and Rudolph was 8. His oldest son Frank, 22, lived in Montreal and worked as a musician. Giuseppe’s wife, Teresa Sabetti, had passed away in 1938. In addition to his work at Union Station, Giuseppe co-owned the Preston Hotel (now known as the Prescott Hotel) with Antonio Disipio. Giuseppe also owned a property at 497 Gladstone Ave. which he rented.

Giuseppe was the president of Soccorso St. Antonio, which likely was a mutual aid society. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) alleged that Giuseppe, along with Gino Tiezzi, Dr. Vittorio Sabetta, Rocco Pantalone, Vincenzo Sorrenti, and Father Cheli of St. Anthony’s Church, were members of a fascist group known as Duca d’Aosta.

Gloria Costantini recalls the day the RCMP searched her family’s home:

We used to have a statue of Mussolini on a pedestal in the living room or in the front entrance or something. And, of course, the RCMP had told us because my father belonged to the Sons of Italy, it certainly had to do with [Italy] declaring war against Canada and all that sort of thing. So I picked up the statue, hid it under my blouse, or whatever I had on, and ran with the RCMP chasing me. And finally they caught up with me and brought me back to the house with the statue. And they confiscated that. Never saw it again.

Following Giuseppe’s internment, his daughter Catherine (Kay) took on her father’s role and looked after the family. She quit school and found a job, and was instrumental in lobbying for her father’s release.

Giuseppe returned to his old job at Union Station after his release. He was eventually promoted to Assistant Station Master. While interned, however, he lost his share in the Preston Hotel. Giuseppe also continued his involvement with the Order Sons of Italy. He passed away in 1951.

Biography by Travis Tomchuk
 

SOURCES:

• Interview with Gloria Giroux (Costantini). May 14, 2011. Columbus Centre Collection.
• Interview with Trina Costantini-Powell. May 14, 2011. Columbus Centre Collection.
• Library and Archives Canada, CSIS, RG 146, Vol. 97, File AH-1999/00227, RCMP, “The Organization and Activities of the Italian Fascist Party in Canada,” 1937.
• Library and Archives Canada, Custodian of Enemy Property, RG 117, Vol. 642, Internee File 2842, “Giuseppe Costantini.”

POW #: P635
ARRESTED: July 19, 1940
RELEASED: August 02, 1941
NATURALIZED: June 18, 1928
BORN: May 25, 1899
DIED:

CAMP(S): Petawawa
TOWN/CITY: Niagara Region
MARITAL STATUS: Married
OCCUPATION: Labourer, Dufferin Construction Company

RELEASE NOTES: Released unconditionally

Leonardo Covelli and his wife Ida had six children: Connie was 10, Laura 8, Patsy 7, Norma 5, Alberto 3, and Joseph was 1. The family rented a home at 1750 Temperance St. in Niagara Falls. Ida was reportedly in poor health.

Records indicate that Leonardo may have operated a grocery store and butcher shop in 1939. Perhaps the business did not do well because the Covellis were receiving $55.75 per month in relief (now called welfare) in the winter of 1939-1940. Leonardo’s work with Dufferin Construction began in the spring of 1940, and he was involved in the construction of the Queen Elizabeth Way in Toronto. Dufferin Construction was owned by James Franceschini, one of the most prominent of the Italian-Canadian internees.

Biography by Travis Tomchuk

SOURCE:

• Library and Archives Canada, Custodian of Enemy Property, RG 117, Vol. 655, Internee File 3823, “Leonardo Covelli.”

POW #: P269
ARRESTED: June 10, 1940
RELEASED: May 08, 1941
NATURALIZED: Yes
BORN: September 04, 1899
DIED:

CAMP(S): Petawawa
TOWN/CITY: Toronto
MARITAL STATUS: Single
OCCUPATION: Employee, Standard Tile Company

RELEASE NOTES: Released unconditionally. As Cristofoli did not acquire naturalization until 1929, he must report to the RCMP at Toronto … immediately upon his arrival at that point, where the matter of his registration and parole, in compliance with existing regulations, will receive attention

Celeste Cristofoli was born in Italy on September 4, 1899.

He lived on Montrose Ave. in Toronto. He was working at Standard Tile Company located on 392 Lowther Ave. He may have been a member of the Famee Furlane, which led to his arrest and internment in June of 1940. He was released on May 8, 1941 at 7:25 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. 662, Internee File 4508, “Celeste Cristofoli.”
• Library and Archives Canada, RCMP: RG18, Vol. 3568, File A.

POW #:
ARRESTED: June 10, 1940
RELEASED: October 05, 1940
NATURALIZED: Canadian born
BORN: June 19, 1919
DIED:

CAMP(S): Petawawa
TOWN/CITY: Toronto
MARITAL STATUS: Single
OCCUPATION: Student; Contractor, Northland Contracting Co. Ltd.

Francesco (Frank) Culotta was born in Toronto on June 19, 1919. He lived at 27 Lauder Ave. in Toronto. He was single and his assets – bank account and shares – totalled $77.76. At the time of his arrest on June 10, 1940, he was an engineering student at the University of Toronto. He was also an employee at Northland Contracting Co. Ltd. in Niagara Falls, Ontario. It is unclear whether he worked part time during the academic year or during the summer.

Culotta was sent to Petawawa Internment Camp on June 18, 1940. On September 30, 1940, Ernest Lapointe wrote:

Mr. Justice Fortier has recommended the release of [Frank Culotta], a student in Engineering at the University of Toronto who is presently interned at Petawawa. This young man was born in Canada and is anxious to complete his engineering course. After considering the Judge’s recommendation and the circumstance surrounding his case, I have come to the conclusion that the public interest will best be served by releasing this man from internment. This is, therefore, to direct you to have him released at once (RG 18, F-3, Vol. 3563, Part 2). 

Culotta was released a few days later – on October 5, 1940.

Culotta was interned based on information obtained from his personal diaries which described trips to Italy in 1933, 1936 and 1937. For example, in a September 5, 1933 entry, he described being taken to the Fascisti Italiani all’Estero with the rest of the group and being given a uniform. He writes: “We are preparing for the big review in front of Mussolini tonight. I carried the Toronto banner.” Furthermore, in a July 26, 1936 entry he wrote, “I was made Capo Squadra [Captain of Squadron Avanguardisti] today…”

Camillo Vetere – editor of L’Italia in Montreal, former national delegate of the fascio for Canada and a member of the directorate of the fascio in Montreal – said that Culotta went to Italy with the Fascist School. Vetere confirmed that Culotta was a member of the fascio and the dopolavoro.

After Culotta’s release, it became clear that he was involved in fascist activism:

Since Culotta’s release, a personal interview was obtained and it was reported that the interviewer was amazed to notice how his fascist feelings and his anti-British attitude have grown as a result of the internment. He stated that he was very happy to be home but nevertheless would remain loyal to the Fascist regime. He believes that the Axis will finally crush Great Britain and destroy the British Empire, with the result of a Fascist regime in Canada. Through interviews with several of Culotta’s acquaintances, it is reported that he still continues to make Fascist and anti-British propaganda amongst his friends. No doubt this is done very discreetly but it shows his profound Fascist and anti-British feelings (RG 18, F-3, Vol. 3563, Part 2).

Despite the confirmation of Culotta’s advocacy towards fascism and his anti-British sentiments, he was not re-interned.

Biography by Louanne Aspillaga

Do you know…
Did Culotta return to school after his release from camp?
Did he continue to travel to Italy?

SOURCES:

• Library and Archives Canada, Custodian of Enemy Property: RG 117, Vol. 2008, Internee File 4750, “Francesco Culotta.”
• Library and Archives Canada, RCMP: RG 18, F-3, Vol. 3563, Part 2.
• Minister’s Orders, List V1 & V2.

POW #: P882
ARRESTED: October 24, 1940
RELEASED: December 14, 1940
NATURALIZED: Yes
BORN: July 25, 1903
DIED:

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

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

Francesco Cundari arrived in Canada in 1919 and initially settled in Copper Cliff, Ontario. In 1921, he moved to Niagara Falls, Ontario. Two years later, Cundari moved to the United States where he remained until 1934. During his time in the United States, he travelled to Italy on two occasions – the second time was to get married.

In 1934, Cundari, his wife and their daughter left Detroit and settled in Windsor, Ontario. Cundari had invested $1000 in Mario’s Restaurant in Windsor. His business partners were C. Mario and Jean Walters. He also claimed to own $20,000 worth of property.

At the time of his arrest Cundari was a citizen (a naturalized British subject). Cundari was charged with being a fervent fascist and expressing anti-Canadian and anti-British views. During an interview with Justice J.D. Hyndman, the judge appointed to review Cundari’s case, the internee denied any involvement in fascist activities or groups. Cundari stated that he worked 12 to 18 hours a day and had little time for anything else. A report by Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Constable F.A. Lechewicz dated Oct. 16, 1940, corroborates Cundari’s testimony: “Numerous sources of information were contacted … on this subject, but nothing could be obtained which would connect him with any Italian organization or club either in Windsor or Detroit.”

Biography by Travis Tomchuk

SOURCES:

• Library and Archives Canada, Canadian Armed Forces: RG 24, Vol. 6586, File 5-1-1.
• Library and Archives Canada, J.D. Hyndman Fonds: MG 30, E182, Vol. 14, Letter from J.D. Hyndman to Ernest Lapointe, Minister of Justice, Dec. 6, 1940.

POW #: P715
ARRESTED: July 20, 1940
RELEASED: May 26, 1942
NATURALIZED:
BORN: August 04, 1890
DIED: May 1972

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

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

Alfredo Ettore Cuomo was born in Chieti, Italy in August 1890. He seems to have been a prominent member of the Italian community in Hamilton, Ontario, before the outbreak of World War II. He is one of seven Italian Canadians featured in the August 8, 1935, issue of the Hamilton Herald, which notes his success in “local automobile circles.” According to the newspaper, having come to Canada many years ago, Cuomo entered the garage business in 1929 and specialized in fender and body work. However, the files of the Custodian of Enemy Property make no mention of this. Instead, the government notes his occupation as a machinist for Steel Company of Canada Ltd., and that he also operated a farm in Beverly Township, County of Wentworth.

At the time of his internment, Cuomo was married to Annie (Antonietta). They had three daughters aged 28, 21 and 19 as well as two sons aged 26 and 23. Three of the children are noted as dependents. His daughter Lena writes:

In 1940, my father was taken off the job at the local steel company. The three RCMP officers turned the house upside down when they searched for five to six hours and there wasn’t a drawer or closet that was not emptied.  They found no evidence of wrongdoing and no reason was given for his arrest. He was taken directly to jail. The family was understandably upset. My sister, Regina Sebastian, had her own house searched as well. Over the course of the next year, the RCMP drove down Earl Street on many occasions slowing down in front of #49.

The reasons for his arrest are not known. Given his identification in the newspaper article with other prominent men of the community, he may have been active in cultural and social organizations including the Order Sons of Italy and the Casa d’Italia. Two of the other men profiled (Aurelio Del Piero and Luigi Mascia) were also interned.

The family spent $2000, a large sum in those days, on the fees for the lawyer working on Cuomo’s objection to his internment and his release. During his internment, his two sons both enlisted and served in the Canadian military.

On his return home, he did regain his position at the steel company as a machinist. Later, he opened a hardware store, which closed in the 1960s. Cuomo passed away at the age of 81.

Biography by Lucy Di Pietro
 

Do you know…
Why was Alfredo Ettore Cuomo interned?

SOURCES:

• Family correspondence with project staff at Columbus Centre of Toronto, November 2012.
• Library and Archives Canada, Custodian of Enemy Property: RG 117-a-3, Vol. 670, Internee File 502, “Alfredo Ettore Cuomo.”
• Library and Archives Canada, RCMP: RG 18, F-3, Vol. 3563, Part 5.
• Library and Archives Canada, RCMP: RG 18, Vol. 3568, File A.