Today I wish to share a few images of Italians in the British Camps in India. It is a way to highlight the archives of the International Committee for the Red Cross.
Many families are already applying for personal documents from the Red Cross for their family members. There is also an extensive audio-visual collection available for viewing.
The ICRC’s historical archives comprise 6,700 linear metres of textual records and a collection of photographs, films and other audio archives. Tens of thousands of documents are available in digital format on the ICRC audiovisual archives portal.
While it is improbable that you will find a photo of your father, you will however view photos which will highlight aspects of the daily life and routine of Italian prisoners of war.
A picture is worth a thousand words…
Was your father a….
BAKER
Guerre 1939-1945. Indes britanniques. Camp no 21, aile 1. Prisonniers de guerre italiens. Boulangerie
Word War II. British India. Camp 21, wing 1. Italian prisoners of war. Bakery.
PASTA MAKER
Guerre 1939-1945. Bangalore. Groupe I. Camp de prisonniers de guerre italiens. Préparation de spaghetti. Word War II. Bangalore. Group I. Italian prisoners of war camp. Prisoners preparing spaghetti
TENNIS PLAYER
Guerre 1939-1945. Indes britanniques. Camp no 21, aile 1. Prisonniers de guerre italiens. Equipe de tennis.
Word War II. British India. Camp 21, wing 1. Italian prisoners of war. Tennis team.
SHOE MAKER
Guerre 1939-1945. Indes britanniques. Camp no 23, aile 3. Camp de prisonniers de guerre italiens. Cordonniers.
Word War II. British India. Camp 23, Wing 3. Italian prisoners of war camp. Shoemakers.
TAILOR
Guerre 1939-1945. Indes britanniques. Camp no 16 de prisonniers de guerre italiens. Couturier.
Word War II. British India. Italian prisoners of war camp 16. Tailor.
INSTRUMENT MAKER
Guerre 1939-1945. Indes britanniques. Camp no 21. Prisonniers de guerre italiens. Luthiers.
Word War II. British India. Camp 21. Italian prisoners of war camp. Instrument makers.
ARTIST
Guerre 1939-1945. Indes britanniques. Camp no 23, ailes 1 & 2. Prisonniers de guerre italiens. Prisonniers peignant des portraits.
Word War II. British India. Camp 23, wings 1 & 2. Italian prisoners of war. Prisoners drawning portraits.
MUSICIAN
Guerre 1939-1945. Indes britanniques. Camp no 23, aile 5. Prisonniers de guerre italiens. Orchestre.
Word War II. British India. Camp 23, wing 5. Italian prisoners of war. Orchestra.
ACTOR
Guerre 1939-1945. Indes britanniques. Camp no 23, aile 5. Prisonniers de guerre italiens. Troupe d’acteurs.
Word War II. British India. Camp 23, wing 5. Italian prisoners of war. Theatre troupe.
CHESS PLAYER
Guerre 1939-1945. Indes britanniques. Camp no 5. Prisonniers de guerre italiens. Partie d’échecs.
Word War II. British India. Camp 5. Italian prisoners of war. Game of chess.
BILLARDS PLAYER
Guerre 1939-1945. Indes britanniques. Groupe II. Camp de prisonniers de guerre italiens. Partie de billard.
Word War II. British India. Group II. Italian prisoners of war camp. Game of billiards.
BOXER
Guerre 1939-1945. Bangalore. Groupe I. Camp de prisonniers de guerre italiens. Groupe de boxeurs.
Word War II. Bangalore, Group I. Italian prisoners of war camp. Group of boxers.
TEACHER
Guerre 1939-1945. Indes britanniques. Camp no 14. Prisonniers de guerre italiens. Salle de cours.
Word War II. British India. Camp 14. Italian prisoners of war. Class room.
FOOTBALLER
Guerre 1939-1945. Indes britanniques. Camp no 21. Prisonniers de guerre italiens. Equipe de football.
Word War II. British India. Camp 21. Italian prisoners of war. Football team.
JOINER
Guerre 1939-1945. Indes britanniques. Camp no 22, aile 5. Prisonniers de guerre italiens. Menuisier.
Word War II. British India. Camp 22, wing 5. Italian prisoners of war. Joiner.
BOCCE PLAYER
Guerre 1939-1945. Indes britanniques. Camp no 23, ailes 1 & 2. Prisonniers de guerre italiens. Partie de pétanque.
Word War II. British India. Camp 23, wings 1 & 2. Italian prisoners of war. Petanque game.
How can I find more info? Vincenzo Minichiello was a pow captured in Libya Jan 1941 sent to India Feb 1941 Then to Australia Apr 1944 released and back to Italy Feb 1947. Never spoke much about the war I now wish I had asked more questions. He died , age 91 in Dec 2009.
Told us he was a a baker as a prisoner. Was he also a baker previously, when he was a soldier in the Italian army. Are there records where I could find more information about how and why the Italians went to Libya and what his squadron did before they were captured by the British. Why then transferred 3 or 4 years later to Australia
mio suocero Cagnoni Walter è stato prigioniero in India dopo essere stato catturato su una imbarcazione commerciale italiana. È possibile trovare qualche foto o altri frammenti della sua prigionia?
mio suocero Cagnoni Walter è stato prigioniero in India dopo essere stato catturato su una imbarcazione commerciale italiana. È possibile trovare qualche foto o altri frammenti della sua prigionia?
Good morning Carlo, It is easier to send information in an email, but I will try to do this here. On the website: drop down menu: “Finding Nonno”. Click on “Italian Prisoners of War in India”. This is my guide to help you to locate information for Walter Cagnoni in India. It is a one line summary. It will tell you what camps he was in. On my website, I have articles about the background: before Walter went to India. Capture and Surrender. Geneifa Egpyt. Tobruk POW Cage. I can send you a list my email. My email is joannetappy@gmail.com Kind regards
Joanne Tapiolas
Ciao. Mio padre è stato catturato dagli inglesi in Eritrea nel 41 circa e inviato prigioniero in India (Bombay), dopodiché trasferito in Australia; primo a Canberra (circa un mese) e poi a lavorare in campagna in Tasmania, presso una azienda familiare; lui era contadino in Itali. Vincenzo De Fabritiis, nato 14.aprile 1912. ‘E tornato in Italia nel’47 e por nel ’48 emigrato in Argentina. Nel ’51 fa viaggiare mia mamma, sorella e fratello. Io sono nato in Argentina. Come potrei saperne del suo soggiorno in Tasmania. Grazie.
Footprints of Italian Prisoners of War in Australia 
How can I find more info? Vincenzo Minichiello was a pow captured in Libya Jan 1941 sent to India Feb 1941 Then to Australia Apr 1944 released and back to Italy Feb 1947. Never spoke much about the war I now wish I had asked more questions. He died , age 91 in Dec 2009.
Told us he was a a baker as a prisoner. Was he also a baker previously, when he was a soldier in the Italian army. Are there records where I could find more information about how and why the Italians went to Libya and what his squadron did before they were captured by the British. Why then transferred 3 or 4 years later to Australia
LikeLike
I will send you an email to explain Vincenzo’s journey according to the records available. Joanne Tapiolas
LikeLike
mio suocero Cagnoni Walter è stato prigioniero in India dopo essere stato catturato su una imbarcazione commerciale italiana. È possibile trovare qualche foto o altri frammenti della sua prigionia?
LikeLike
I have not found any group photos of India. Did Walter come to Australia? In Australia, some group photos exist.
LikeLike
mio suocero Cagnoni Walter è stato prigioniero in India dopo essere stato catturato su una imbarcazione commerciale italiana. È possibile trovare qualche foto o altri frammenti della sua prigionia?
LikeLike
Good morning Carlo, It is easier to send information in an email, but I will try to do this here. On the website: drop down menu: “Finding Nonno”. Click on “Italian Prisoners of War in India”. This is my guide to help you to locate information for Walter Cagnoni in India. It is a one line summary. It will tell you what camps he was in. On my website, I have articles about the background: before Walter went to India. Capture and Surrender. Geneifa Egpyt. Tobruk POW Cage. I can send you a list my email. My email is joannetappy@gmail.com Kind regards
Joanne Tapiolas
LikeLike
Ciao. Mio padre è stato catturato dagli inglesi in Eritrea nel 41 circa e inviato prigioniero in India (Bombay), dopodiché trasferito in Australia; primo a Canberra (circa un mese) e poi a lavorare in campagna in Tasmania, presso una azienda familiare; lui era contadino in Itali. Vincenzo De Fabritiis, nato 14.aprile 1912. ‘E tornato in Italia nel’47 e por nel ’48 emigrato in Argentina. Nel ’51 fa viaggiare mia mamma, sorella e fratello. Io sono nato in Argentina. Come potrei saperne del suo soggiorno in Tasmania. Grazie.
LikeLike