Interviews With Frank Martinello

Frank Martinello introduces himself. He speaks of his parents and his earliest childhood memories.

Frank Martinello discusses when his parents migrated to Canada. His father migrated first in the early 1920s after having served in the army during World War I. His mother and siblings came later through New York to Sydney where they were reunited with Felice Martiniello.

In this clip Frank Martinello speaks about his siblings, giving their names and the years in which they were born.

Frank Martinello grew up in Sydney, Nova Scotia. In this clip he discusses the neighbourhood he grew up with, its ethnic make-up and the various surroundings. He also speaks of the Italian traditions he grew up with and being surrounded by an extended family.

Frank Martinello discusses the various social groups that the Italian community was involved with. He mentions that his father was a member of the Casa d’Italia and that he himself went to Italian school. While his father was involved in these social clubs he does not believe that his father was politically active, but only participating in Italian functions.

Frank Martinello talks about the schools he attended while growing up in Sydney, Nova Scotia.

In this clip Frank Martinello shares his experiences of being an altar boy at the local church in Sydney, Nova Scotia. During his father’s internment the family discovered that the parish priest might have been involved in the internment of local men and Frank quit his role as altar boy.

Frank Martinello discusses the jobs he took delivering papers and shining shoes while his father was interned. Any money he earned would help to support the family during this period. Frank and his sister Ann Dolson mention that they would bury the money in cans in the backyard since their mother was afraid that the RCMP would come and confiscate their funds.

Frank Martinello discusses the day his father was arrested by the RCMP. His father, Felice, was arrested while working in the fields at their family home in Sydney and taken to the local jail with other Italian Canadians men from the area. Frank mentions that there was an altercation while the men were in jail, however, the family was not allowed to see Felice.

Frank Martinello discusses what it was like at home during the period his father Felice Martiniello was interned. Their mother had to manage a house of seven kids and provide for them. The children often helped their mother, along with family and neighbours. However, Frank does remember their home situation being difficult and that food was often scarce.

Felice Martinello was interned for three years. In this clip Frank Martinello mentions that when his father was released he was not permitted to move back to Nova Scotia and so the family moved to Hamilton where they were eventually reunited.

In this clip Frank Martinello continues discussing the family’s move from Sydney, Nova Scotia to Hamilton, Ontario. He discusses how the family had to take a number of trains to get to Hamilton, with all their belongings in tow, and their reunion with their father.

Frank Martinello talks about his father’s employment situation after he was released from the internment camp up until his retirement.

Frank Martinello briefly discusses his father’s role in the army during World War I. He also mentions that his family only began to receive a pension for his service after his death.

Frank Martinello discusses what he knows about his father’s time in the internment camps. His father always enjoyed cooking and while at the camps he took on the role of cooking for fellow internees as well as the camp guards.

Frank Martinello discusses the wooden carvings his father made while he was interned as a way to pass the time.

In this clip Frank Martinello mentions that when his father was instructed that he must move from Nova Scotia as a condition of release, he chose Hamilton because he had formed close friendships with people from this area while he was interned. Frank talks about how these relationships were maintained after the war years.

In the conclusion to his interview, Frank Martinello mentions that his father did not speak much about his internment experience after he returned home. Frank and his sister, Ann Dolson, only recall their father referring to the period as his time in the college. Frank also discusses his feelings on the period.

In this opening clip Frank Martinello provides further insight into what life was like at home for Frank and his family while his father was interned and speaks about how his life might have been different if his father was never interned.

In this clip Frank Martinello speaks about the items that his father brought back with him from his time in the internment camps. In particular he speaks about and displays two items, a ship in a bottle and a belt.

Frank Martinello speaks about the sketch of his father created in the internment camp by fellow internee Guido Casini. The sketch is displayed in the clip.

Frank Martinello talks about one of the two paintings that were created in the camp by a fellow internee. In this clip the portrait of Frank is on display.

Frank Martinello talks about the second of the two paintings that were created in the camp by a fellow internee. In this clip the portrait of his sister Florence is displayed.