POW #: P482
ARRESTED:
RELEASED: February 19, 1942
NATURALIZED: March 01, 1927
BORN:
DIED:

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

RELEASE NOTES: Released conditionally on Regulation 24 (Defence of Canada Regulations) and had to report to the authorities twice a month

Not much is known about Pasquale Ialenti. He lived at 6733 Drolet St. in Montreal at the time of his internment.

Biography by Melina De Guglielmo
 
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. 690, File 7303

POW #: P332
ARRESTED: June 10, 1940
RELEASED: September 08, 1942
NATURALIZED:
BORN: April 20, 1898
DIED: February 16, 1973

CAMP(S): Petawawa, Fredericton
TOWN/CITY: Windsor
MARITAL STATUS: Married
OCCUPATION: Bartender, Italian War Veterans Association

RELEASE NOTES: Iannetta was released on the terms that he report monthly to the RCMP; he could not change his place of residence without first reporting it; and he could not leave Windsor without first reporting the details and purpose of his proposed trip

Michele Iannetta was born in Italy in 1898. On June 10, 1940, he was arrested while tending bar at an Italian social club. At the time of his internment, he lived with his wife Antonia and their children Louis, Tony, and Guido at 378 Mercer St. in Windsor, Ontario. The Custodian of Enemy Property file notes that when Iannetta was arrested, he had in his possession a pocket knife, a key and three tunnel tokens. While Iannetta was sent to internment camp, his two eldest sons were drafted into the Canadian Army, leaving his youngest son, Guido (10 years old), and his wife to fend for themselves.

During his internment, Iannetta cooked for the officers and therefore expanded his culinary skills. As Iannetta told his family, he did not starve at the camp and, whenever possible, he gave leftovers to fellow internees. Iannetta sent several items to his family, most notably wooden trays and boxes that he and other internees hand carved. The family still has these items as well as a letter written by Iannetta’s son, Guido. The letter was translated by Jeanne Josephine Latessa-Iannetta, wife of Guido and daughter-in-law of Iannetta:

Dec. 8, 1941

Dear Daddy,

I am writing you a few lines letting you know that we are all right and hope that you are the same. Mama received your letter and the pack you sent us. I am glad to hear that you received my letter I sent you. I want to know how you got those boats in that bottle. When you write to me please tell me how you got those boats in them bottles. Those shoes you made for Mama fit perfectly. When Lou came home and saw what you sent home he said, “I wish Dad would come home instead of these things he is sending home.” Today the finest thing happened when Mama and I received your letter and read that you are sending a pack, all of a sudden there was a knock at the door and there stood the pack and we were very happy. Mama wished that you will send home more of those big plates that have “M.I.” on it. We wish that you will make about four more and some more picture frames. I hope that you will be home for Christmas Dad and may God help you to come out – we will be the happiest family in the world. No kidding Dad! Your last letter you said that did not believe that I am praying to Jesus but I am really Dad. I’d rather you be home than there. May Jesus help you come out Dad. Best regards and wishes from Mama, Tony, and Louis and the baby of the family, Guido.

Your loving son,
Guido Iannetta

In 1990, in response to a newspaper article about the Italian Canadian internees of World War II, Guido expressed his distaste for the article. Guido recalled the chaos on the day his father was taken away, as two plain-clothed men ransacked the house, while his mother screamed in Italian, “What are you doing here?! Where is Michele?!” Guido also recalled going to see his father, who was being held at the armories. He wrote:

There was hundreds of us hollering and screaming to see our fathers. Some of us broke through the line and ran to the windows to see if we could catch a glimpse of them. A big burly soldier hit me and said, “Get out of here you dirty wop bastard” and I fell to the ground. My mother did not see my father for almost three years … she could not understand being in the country for only 10 years, not able to speak English, and having two sons in the Canadian Army… You cannot imagine or feel what we went through at the time. You have no right to write something you know nothing about (Translated by Jeanne Josephine Latessa-Iannetta).

Iannetta was interned at Camp Petawawa and then transferred to Camp Fredericton. He was released in 1942. Later on, his wife suffered depression and psychosis and Iannetta spent his later years as her primary caregiver.

Biography by Louanne Aspillaga
 

SOURCES:

• Correspondence with Antonia Martino, Granddaughter of Michele Iannetta. Project Staff at Columbus Centre of Toronto, March 2012.
• Library and Archives Canada, Custodian of Enemy Property: RG 117, Vol. 660, Internee File 4208, “Michele Iannetta.”
• Library and Archives Canada, RCMP: RG 18, F-3, Vol. 3563, Part 6.
• Library and Archives Canada, RCMP: RG 18, Vol. 3569, File C.

POW #: P226
ARRESTED: June 19, 1940
RELEASED: March 20, 1941
NATURALIZED: February 20, 1933
BORN: July 02, 1896
DIED:

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

Vittorio Ianniruberto was born in Italy in 1896. At the time of his internment, he lived at 658 Clarens Ave. in Toronto, where he ran a small tailoring business with his wife Eva. His wife owned the adjoining property: 658A. He also worked for a company called French Maide Kassab [sic], at 197 Spadina Ave. Ianniruberto was a citizen (a naturalized British subject) at the time of his internment. He belonged to the Order Sons of Italy as indicated by the life insurance policy noted in his Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) file, valued at $200.00. He had one son, Michael, aged 22.

Biography by Melina De Guglielmo

SOURCES:

• Library and Archives Canada, Custodian of Enemy Property: RG117, Vol. 671, Internee File 5084.
• Library and Archives Canada, RCMP: RG18, Vol. 3569, File C.

POW #: P450
ARRESTED: June 10, 1940
RELEASED: July 13, 1941
NATURALIZED: Canadian born
BORN: 1905
DIED:

CAMP(S): Petawawa
TOWN/CITY: Montreal
MARITAL STATUS: Married
OCCUPATION: Master Printer, The Montreal Star

RELEASE NOTES: Unconditional release

Daniel Andrew Iannuzzi was married to Mary Matilda Ponse (b. 1905) and the couple had six children: Pietro (b. 1927), Concetta (b. 1928), Giovanna (b. 1928), Andrea (b. 1933), Giovanni (b. 1935) and Teodoro (b. 1937). Iannuzzi’s mother-in-law, Concetta Ponse (b. 1885), lived with the family at their home located at 7624 Casgrain St. in Montreal. From 1937 until his arrest in 1940, Iannuzzi worked as a master printer in The Montreal Star’s composing room.

Iannuzzi had been a member of the Order Sons of Italy since the early 1920s. During that time, he held the positions of Grandmaster in Quebec for two years and Grand Financial Secretary for seven years. His main responsibility as a member of the Order Sons of Italy was to organize sporting activities. He continued to do so until Italian Consul Giuseppe Brigidi took this over.

As part of his role in the Order Sons of Italy, Iannuzzi was also involved in organizing members of Montreal’s Italian Canadian community to greet the English king and queen during a visit to the city in 1939. As a result, he was invited to sit at the head table at a function held in their honour.

Iannuzzi printed Montreal’s Italian-language fascist newspaper L’Italia Nuova. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) believed that he was an advisor on the executive committee of Montreal’s dopolavoro.

During his interview with J.D. Hyndman, a judge appointed to review his internment, Iannuzzi stated that he was not a fascist or a member of any of its organizations. He told Hyndman that “Fascism is not a good thing for Canada.” In a letter to the Minister of Justice Ernest Lapointe, Hyndman wrote, “[RCMP] Commissioner Wood’s memorandum of the 1st May is based on reports of Secret Agents, some of whom I know of and others that I am unacquainted with, and newspaper clippings and photographs. Much of this is ancient history, and it looks to me like a case on paper only. The fact that he was born in Canada, with most, if not all of his relatives here, I think it is more or less absurd to conclude that he would commit subversive or criminal acts.”

Due to his internment, Iannuzzi no longer received a weekly income of $50 to $75. His family was forced to go on relief. They received $19.50 per month, which was not enough for Mary to pay for food and rent. She was constantly worried that she, her children and mother would be forced to live on the street. She was obliged to move into a smaller home at 8324 Gerrard St. but did not have anyone to guarantee her lease. In a letter to T.W. Laidlaw, Counsel for the Custodian of Enemy Property, Mary Iannuzzi wrote, “I have no one to guarantee my lease, and I am writing you, Mr. Laidlaw, with a fervent hope that you may advise me what to do… My husband was born in Canada and all six children and surely they have a right to have a home in a country which is supposed to make them Canadian by right of birth.”

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,” Ottawa, 1937.
Library and Archives Canada, Custodian of Enemy Property: RG 117, Vol. 1999, Internee File 4463, “Daniel Andrew Iannuzzi.”
Library and Archives Canada, J.D. Hyndman Fonds: MG 30, E 182, Vol. 14, Letter to Ernest Lapointe, Minister of Justice, May 7, 1941.

POW #: P873
ARRESTED: June 10, 1940
RELEASED: February 10, 1941
NATURALIZED: Canadian born
BORN: 1908
DIED:

CAMP(S): Petawawa
TOWN/CITY: Montreal
MARITAL STATUS: Married
OCCUPATION: Truck driver, Saxonia Fruit Company

RELEASE NOTES: Unconditional release

Francesco (Frank) Iannuzzi was 32 years old at the time of internment. He had been married for a year and had no children. Iannuzzi and his wife lived with his 75-year old mother and a sister in Lachine (now a suburb of Montreal) – both of whom he supported. Iannuzzi came from a large family; he had nine siblings including his brothers Daniel Andrew Iannuzzi (also interned) and Carlo Iannuzzi.

Iannuzzi worked as a truck driver for the Saxonia Fruit Company; a position he had held since 1934 or 1935. His colleague Giacinto Luciano Salvadori was also interned.

On June 10, 1940, he was arrested at his home. Having returned from work, he was washing up before diner, when the authorities arrived. According to his niece Jeanne Iannuzzi Ouellette, the uniformed Royal Canadian Mounted Police officers entered the home and seized him in the bathroom. His mother was distraught, yelling and “pulling out her hair”. Ironically, Ouellette’s father, Carlo, was a detective on the Lachine Police Force; Lachine police officers were not involved in the arrests that day.

In a review of his case by Justice J.D. Hyndman, Frank Iannuzzi admitted to membership in the Order Sons of Italy for 6 or 7 years but said he did not attend meetings. His brother Daniel Andrew was one of the leaders of the organization. The office of the Order Sons of Italy was located in the Casa d’Italia.

Iannuzzi also played baseball on the Dopolavoro team which was based at the Casa d’Italia but stated he was not a member of the fascio.  Apparently, Iannuzzi was being paid to play baseball and his teammates were English- and French Canadian. He told Justice Hyndman that even though he played on the team, he was not actually a member of the Dopolavoro.  Further, he did not contribute to the building of the Casa d’Italia. He never sent money or gold to Italy. His salary of $20/week was consumed by his living expenses.  Canadian-born Iannuzzi also noted that he spoke English and French and only a little Italian; he could not read or write in the language at all. 

Iannuzzi believed that Camillo Vetere1 was somehow responsible for his internment.  He thought Vetere wanted his job and had actually taught Vetere the truck route. Iannuzzi believed Vetere was working this job at the time of his interview with Justice Hyndman.  Hyndman recommended Iannuzzi’s release.

After his release, Iannuzzi built a home in Montreal. His wife, an accomplished seamstress, made wedding dresses. She was very successful and opened up her own boutique and employed others. Their seven daughters would follow in her career.  However, after her illness, the family moved to California for her treatments and to aid in her recovery.

1. Vetere was a former school teacher and journalist based in Montreal. Some suspect he acted as a paid police informant.

Biography by Lucy Di Pietro

SOURCES:

• Interview with Jeanne and Jean Iannuzzi Ouellette. July 17, 2011. ICEA2011.0060.0001, Columbus Centre Collection.
• Library and Archives Canada, Custodian of Enemy Property:  RG 117, Vol. 691, File# 8302;
• Library and Archives Canada, JD Hyndman: MG30, E 182, Vol. 14. Letter to Minister of Justice, Memorandum Re: Francesco Ianuzzi D-935-2678, 6 Dec 1940.

POW #: P225
ARRESTED: June 10, 1940
RELEASED: September 08, 1942
NATURALIZED:
BORN: February 18, 1891
DIED:

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

RELEASE NOTES: Had to report monthly to RCMP, could not change his place of residence without first reporting to RCMP, and could not leave Toronto without first reporting the details and purpose of his proposed trip to RCMP. He might also have been required to report to police at his designation.

Antonio Iannuzziello was born on February 18, 1891 in Italy. At some point, he moved to Canada.

In 1940, he lived on Manning Ave. in Little Italy, Toronto. He was married to Elizabeth and they had seven kids: Grace (18), Carmelina (14),  Rocco (12), Rose (8), Anthony (5), Marie (2), and Marlene (6 weeks). Iannuzziello owned rental properties: two-storey houses located on 50-52 Florence Ave., 154-156 Hallam St., and 106 De Grassey St. He didn’t have a car or insurance policies and his bank account had a balance of $7.75. He worked as a bricklayer.

He was arrested on June 10, 1940 and interned eight days later at Camp Petawawa. There is record that Ianuzziello received an injury while at the camp:

…occurred at the new military ablution hut at 14:00 hours 16th December 1940… The court will record opinion: (a) As to whether or not the injury was the result of negligence on the part of the Prisoner of War (b) As to whether or not the Prisoner of War was performing compulsory work at the time the injury was sustained and (c) As to whether or not responsibility for the injury rests with any person or persons.

Iannuzziello was released on September 8, 1942.

Biography by Louanne Aspillaga

SOURCES:

• Library and Archives Canada, Canadian Armed Forces: RG24, Vol. 15395, File 2281, No. 33, Vol. 14.
• Library and Archives Canada, Custodian of Enemy Property: RG117, Vol. 668, Internee File 4970, “Antonio Iannuzziello.”
• Library and Archives Canada, RCMP: RG18, Vol. 3569, File C.
• Library and Archives Canada, RCMP: RG18, F-3, Vol. 3563, Part 6.
• Minister’s Orders List, V1 & V6.

POW #: P996
ARRESTED: February 13, 1941
RELEASED: December 22, 1942
NATURALIZED: April 24, 1929
BORN: February 13, 1941
DIED:

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

RELEASE NOTES: Released conditionally upon his first subscribing to the Undertaking set out in Regulation 24 of the Defence of Canada Regulations (DOCR) and further, that he subscribe to a special Undertaking. (See below for further details).

Carmine Iasenza was born in Casacalenda, Italy on March 12, 1903.  He moved to Canada in 1920, arriving in Quebec City.  On April 24, 1929, Iasenza became naturalized. 

Iasenza was believed to be a member of the fascio, the dopolavoro, Casa d’Italia, and Casacalandese Society.  Evidence against him included a photo of him with the Montreal fascio and the Centuria d’Onore.

Special Agent 203 noted in his investigation that in the Mile End District of Montreal, there is a small gang of active and fanatical fascists who meet privately in members’ homes.  These individuals were not interned initially as part of the mass round-ups in 1940, because they were not key leaders at the time. SA 203 believed that “these individuals have now taken the place of their leaders who have been interned and are extremely fanatic, anti-British and dangerous.”  Iasenza is reported to be one of these individuals. SA 203 writes of Iasenza:

…has always been a fascist of uncrushable faith and of extreme anti-British feelings and even today, being free, he continues to extensively spread fascist and anti-British propaganda.  He belongs to an ‘Action Squad’ recently formed which meets secretly and from time to time in the different homes of its members.  He is of a violent character and ready to sacrifice everything for the Fascist revolution in Canada.  He was always in splendid terms with the Consular and Fascist Authorities of whom he had great esteem and trust.

On February 13, 1941, Iasenza was arrested.  He was sent to Camp Petawawa on May 29, 1941 before being transferred to Fredericton.  At the time of his arrest, he lived on Dante St. in Montreal with his wife, Maria, and their three children. During her husband’s absence, Maria made requests for funds from the government.

Iasenza was released on December 22, 1942 with the stipulation that he had to report monthly to the RCMP.  Further, he could not change his place of residence and/or travel outside of Montreal without first reporting details to the RCMP.

Biography by Louanne Aspillaga
 

Do you know…
Why Iasenza was released after only a year?

SOURCES:

• Library and Archives Canada, Custodian of Enemy Property: RG 117, Vol. 696, Internee File 11962 “Carmine Iasenza.”
• Library and Archives Canada, RCMP: RG 18, Vol. 3563, Parts 2, 3 and 6.
• Library and Archives Canada, RCMP: RG 18, Vol. 3569, File C.
• Minister’s Orders List, V2, V3 & V6.

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

CAMP(S): Petawawa
TOWN/CITY: Other Ontario
MARITAL STATUS: Married
OCCUPATION: Employee, Canada Glue Company

RELEASE NOTES: Iezzi had to report monthly to the local authorities in Brantford, Ontario

Daniele Iezzi was married with nine children at the time of his internment. According to Libero Sauro of Toronto, Iezzi was not a fascist but a father who was much needed at the family home, at 266 Brock St., in Brantford, Ontario. Following his release, he was required to report monthly to the local Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).

Biography by Melina De Guglielmo
 
SOURCES:

• Library and Archives Canada, Custodian of Enemy Property: RG117, Vol. 671, File 5087.
• Library and Archives Canada, RCMP: RG18, F-3, Vol. 3563, Part 4.

POW #: P704
ARRESTED: June 10, 1940
RELEASED: March 25, 1941
NATURALIZED:
BORN: April 09, 1895
DIED:

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

RELEASE NOTES: Conditional release upon special undertaking and reporting twice a month

Rosario Invidiata was trained as a doctor in Italy. During World War I, he served in the Italian Army. He joined the fascists soon after Benito Mussolini’s March on Rome in 1922. He immigrated to Canada in 1926 and established his practice, specializing in diseases of the stomach. Along with Dr. Donato Sansone, who was also interned, Invidiata did some work for the Ontario Medical Association.

At the time of his arrest, he was married to Ada. They had two Canadian-born children: Josephine was 14 and Frank was 10. An active member of the Italian Canadian community in Toronto, Invidiata was a member of the Fascio Principe Umberto. He had pledged money to the building of the Casa d’Italia. We suspect that Invidiata was successful and that the family was financially secure prior to his arrest. His daughter was enrolled in a private school. After her father’s internment, however, she was transferred to a public high school in order to save money for the family’s living expenses.

In the review of his case by Justice J.D. Hyndman, Invidiata acknowledged that he was a member of the fascio, but he also iterated that such involvement did not conflict with being a loyal Canadian. He had apparently offered his services to Canada after the declaration of war by Germany in 1939. This ambiguity is described by historian Angelo Principe, who writes about the frustration, fear and resentment felt among some in the Italian Canadian fascist ranks with Mussolini’s break from France and Great Britain. Principe notes a personal interview with Ruggero Bacci (also interned), who became the leader of the Toronto fascio in 1939. He suggests that Dr. Invidiata may have been offered (but did not accept) the office, along with some others. 

Hyndman hesitated in recommending Invidiata’s release, but was moved by the circumstances of his family. Invidiata’s wife suffered from dementia praecox, now understood as schizophrenia. She had been hospitalized on three occasions. Invidiata had also written to the inspectors for the Custodian of Enemy Property telling them of his wife’s condition and asking that they check on his family’s status. In his report, Hyndman wrote:

…at the present time she is in fact insane and as a result her two children are suffering and grave consequences may result to their health and safety… These two children appeared before me in Toronto on two occasions. The daughter is an exceptionally clever child and represented to me that she and her brother were having a very difficult experience owing to the state of mind of their mother who refused to allow anybody else in the house and is incapable of properly looking after them. Their story in this respect has been confirmed by other people… Although the objector himself admitted that he was a member of the fascio, I nevertheless am of the opinion that he is not the kind of man who would commit subversive acts, and it is only on the ground of special precaution, owing to his admission, that I hesitated to recommend his release… The case is a most distressing one and I have given it a great deal of serious consideration, especially on account of the condition of his wife and the position in which his two children are left (J.D. Hyndman to Minister of Justice, February 28, 1941).

As a result, Hyndman recommended that Invidiata be released on compassionate grounds: “I believe his release would be an act of humanity” (J.D. Hyndman Fonds).

Biography by Lucy Di Pietro

Do you know…
What happened to Dr. Invidiata and his family after the war?
 
SOURCES:

• Library and Archives Canada, Custodian of Enemy Property: RG 117, Vol. 670, Internee File 5038, “Rosario Invidiata.”
• 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 Dr. Rosario Invidiata, 40D-269-4E-117, February 28, 1941.
• Library and Archives Canada, RCMP: RG 18, Vol. 3569, File C.
• Principe, Angelo. The Darkest Side of the Fascist Years: The Italian-Canadian Press, 1920-1942. Toronto: Guernica, 1999.

POW #: P460
ARRESTED: June 10, 1940
RELEASED: June 15, 1941
NATURALIZED: July 24, 1929
BORN:
DIED:

CAMP(S): Petawawa
TOWN/CITY: Montreal
MARITAL STATUS: Married
OCCUPATION: Employee, General Cigar Company

RELEASE NOTES: Released on compassionate grounds because his son was ill in a Montreal hospital; had to report to the authorities upon arrival to Montreal

Antonio Italiano was a citizen (a naturalized British subject) for over a decade at the time of his arrest on June 10, 1940. Not much is known as to the reasons for his internment. He worked for the General Cigar Company at 3810 St. Antoine St. in Montreal.

Biography by Melina De Guglielmo
 
SOURCES:

• Library and Archives Canada, Custodian of Enemy Property: RG117, Vol. 661, File 4395.
• Library and Archives Canada, RCMP: RG18, F-3 Vol. 3563, Part 3.