Talk by Ettore ['Hector'] Emanuelli about his time as a Second World War internee
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Date(s): 26 April 2011
Creator(s): Peel Heritage Trust
Scope & Content: Bill Quine introduces this recording by Peel Heritage Trust of a public tea party in Patrick village hall at which Ettore ['Hector'] Emanuelli gave a talk about his time as a Second World War internee in Peel, the Isle of Man.
Ray Harmer, chairman of Peel Commissioners, welcomes Hector back to the island. Hector talks, with the audience asking questions. He talks about the experience of visiting the Isle of Man now; born in Wales working for his father’s ice cream business and in a pottery firm; Italian government initiative to bring young Italians back to Italy; aged 19 sent to a camp just outside Rome; Hitler Youth; stranded in Italy at the beginning of the war; arrested in England on 10 June 1940 and taken to Liverpool prison; camps in England and then the Isle of Man; internee accommodation in the Isle of Man and reaction of the Manx; life as an internee; escape tunnels and Irish escape attempts; release after 18 months and his freedom tribunal; parents release; younger brother service in the British army.
He then talks about how after he was released he became a trainee chef in Birmingham; brother's war service; family move from South Wales to Stratford-upon-Avon in 1932.
Hector returns to talking about his internment in the Isle of Man including food rations to start a café; difference between an internment camp and a detainee camp; Onchan camps; public and internees attending church Mass; playing tennis and designing an ice cream factory; art supplies from his family and writing letters; how the camps became like families.
He ends with talk about Italians in south Wales; father’s job before he came to Wales; his children and the loss of the Italian language within his family; rambling and acting as an Italian interpreter.
Administration / Biographical History: Ettore Emanuelli (b.1921).
Language: English
Extent: 41 min. 37 sec.
Item name: compact disc
Collection: Sound Archive
Level: ITEM
ID number: SA 2014-0023
Access conditions: All reasonable attempt has been made by Manx National Heritage to trace and request permission (where needed) from the copyright holder(s) in this sound recording. If however you think you are a rights holder then please contact Manx National Heritage.
Subject tags : #UOSH