Luigi Iacopini’s journey as a soldier and prisoner of war is told through the photos he kept. His photos are like a diary recording major events in his early adult life.
Born 24.5.16 in Ponzano Di Fermo Ascoli Piceno, Luigi’s occupation was a barber.
In Italy
A reminder of his military service in the infantry is a photo of a young Luigi in full dress uniform.
Luigi Iacopini
(courtesy of Raffaele Iacopini)
Craig Douglas from Regio Esercito History Group Australia recognised the uniform and writes, “it looks like he belonged to the 115 Infantry Regiment, 62nd Infantry Division Marmarica. Destroyed 5 January 1941 at Bardia.” And yes, Luigi was captured at Bardia on 3rd January 1941.
In Libya
Luigi and other young soldiers in Derna Libya. Derna is on the coast between Benghazi and Tobruk. It was taken on 25.?.38. Luigi was 22 years old.
Italian Soliders in Derna 1938
(courtesy of Raffaele Iacopini)
In India
The rattan matting, the socks and sandals, the shorts and trousers with a distinctive stripe down the sides are common to photos in the POW Camps in India. Luigi was 25-27 years old.
A group of Italian prisoners of war in a POW Camp in India
(courtesy of Raffaele Iacopini)
In Australia
A group of Italian prisoners of war at a Gympie farm. The photo was possibly on a Amamoor farm and taken on the day of departure from the farms in the first week of January 1946. Luigi was 29 years old.
Luigi Iacopini, Giovanni Meconi and Fortunato Gobbi went to the farm of JJ Parr at Amamoor on 5th August 1944.
Other Italian POWs who worked on the farm of JJ Parr were Vincenzo Licocci, Francesco Bevilacqua. Alessandro Di Placido, Costanzo Melino and Pasquale Di Donato.
Italian Prisoners of War at a Gympie Farm
Alessandro Di Placido (?) first on left, Fortunato Gobbi second on left, Luigi Iacopini centre
(courtesy of Anna Eusebi)
Luigi was repatriated on the Alcantara on 23rd December 1946.
Footprints of Italian Prisoners of War in Australia 
My name is John Gallizzi and I was looking for information about my family in the prison camps. Thank you
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Hi John. Three Italian prisoners of war were sent to Queensland. Vincenzo and Francesco went to farms at Stanthorpe and Bruno who was sent to Home Hill to work on a government vegetable farm. Email me if you have some questions. I might be able to help. joannetappy@gmail.com
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hello regarding the photo of the men in Libya. I believe that photo of the man in the long coat 2nd from the left may be my father in law who was a prisoner of war in africa. would you have any details on this? his name was Tommaso De Benedictis from Bari, Italy
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Hi Sandra, all I know is the Luigi served with an infantry division when he was captured at Bardia January 1941. The photo was taken at Derna 1938 but no names are recorded on the back of the photo.
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