| Places | |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | PR04216 |
| Collection type | Private Record |
| Record type | Collection |
| Measurement | Extent: 1 cm; Wallet/s: 1 |
| Object type | Letter |
| Maker |
Porta, Cesare Porta, Marcello |
| Place made | Australia |
| Date made | 1943 |
| Access | Open |
| Conflict |
Second World War, 1939-1945 |
| Copying Provisions | Copyright restrictions apply. Only personal, non-commercial, research and study use permitted. Permission of copyright holder required for any commercial use and/or reproduction. |
Porta, Marcello (Civilian, b.1909 – d.?); Porta, Cesare (Civilian, b.1887 – d.?)
Description
Collection relating to the Second World War experience of Marcello Porta and Cesare Porta, Italian prisoners of war, Australia, 1943.
Wallet 1 of 1 – Consists of two folders of material relating to Italian prisoners of war in Australia, Cesare Porta and Marcello Porta. These folders contain letters written by Cesare Porta and Marcello Porta, a father and son who were prisoners of war at Cowra Prisoner of War Camp, New South Wales, and Loveday Internment Camp, South Australia, 1943.
Folder 1 of 2 contains seven hand written by Marcello Porta. The letters are addressed to his sister Eva Porta, and mother Pia Porta. Four letters are written in English, and three in Italian (English translations provided). The letters are written during his internment in Cowra Prisoner of War Camp, and Loveday Internment Camp, and are dated from 9 January to 15 October 1943. In the letters Marcello writes to Eva, to assist and advise her with financial and logistical developments regarding their farm. He also send the women news of his movements and health, and gives love to his friends and family, including his wife Nella Porta and their daughter.
Folder 2 of 2 contains four hand written letters by Cesare Porta. The letters are addressed to his wife Pia Porta, and daughter Eva Porta. The letters are written in Italian (English translations provided). The letters were written during his interments from 28 March 1943 in Cowra Prisoner of War Camp, and in Loveday Internment Camp, 18 October 1943. Cesare writes to assist and advise Eva on farm logistics, enquires about their health and financial situations, and sends his love to family and friends.
History / Summary
Father Cesare Porta, and son Marcello Porta were Italian immigrants that arrived in Brisbane, Queensland on 28 January 1925. Settling in Mossman, Queensland the Portas became sugar cane farmers. Both Cesare and Marcello became naturalised British Subjects on 16 March 1931. During the Second World War, they were captured as ‘enemy aliens’ in March 1942, and taken together to Cowra Prisoner of War Camp, New South Wales in April 1942. They were later moved to Loveday Internment Camp 14D, 4th Military District, Adelaide, South Australia in April 1943. Marcello Porta was released on 23 November 1943, and Cesare Porta was released on 22 December 1943.