His Majesty King George VI

His Majesty King George VI, wearing uniform of Admiral of the Fleet, Garter ribbon and Star and other Orders and awards, holding tricorne hat in right hand, with Union Jack and Australian flags hanging behind him.

Alfredo (later Alfred) Goduto was an Italian Corporal originally from the small town of Roseto Val Fortore in Foggia, Italy. In 1941 whilst a member of 116 Regiment Infantry, he was captured by Allied forces in Bardia, Libya and sent to India for internment. He arrived aboard the SS Mariposa from India, landing in Melbourne on 5 February 1944, remaining in Australia until December 1946. At first, Goduto was sent for internment in India where he was taught to paint by a fellow prisoner of war who had been an art teacher in Venice prior to the war.

On 19 February 1944, Goduto arrived in Melbourne aboard the SS Mariposa where he spent two months prior to being transferred to Tasmania where he worked on farms for around 18 months. While in Tasmania, his painting talents were noticed and Goduto would trade commissioned pieces for cigarettes.

In April 1946 Goduto was transferred to Camp Loveday in South Australia to await repatriation, finally leaving Australia on the SS Moreton Bay on 14 December 1946. Goduto used much of his spare time as a prisoner of war to hone his artistic skills, such that he was offered employment in Australia as an artist following the war, which he subsequently declined.

Following several years back in Italy, Goduto immigrated to Sydney, Nova Scotia (Canada) in 1956 where he worked in the construction industry. In his spare time, Goduto continued to paint. His family home in Sydney is noted on the Nova Scotia Heritage Trust's website for Goduto's intricate hand-painted designs. Goduto died in 1990.