THE ITALIAN COMMUNITY
I would like to thank Debra D'Annunzio for her invaluable and ongoing help with this web page, without her I would never have been able to get it started.
During the 1870/1880's many Italian families left their homeland to seek work and stable futures for their children. Disease and hunger had become widespread, food prices soared and unemployment rose, for many the choice was simple, they could leave Italy or starve. Liverpool with its busy port offering passage to America was a popular choice, those with enough money bought a passage here, others borrowed the money, the poor walked their way to Liverpool, using their entertainment and working skills to earn money for food in towns and cities on the treck through Europe.
Arriving in Liverpool they would make for the area just outside the city centre heading North. Here among the Court and Boarding houses they knew they would recieve a welcome, for one thing the Italian's were certain to do was to look after their own. Welcoming houses would give them food and rest before either helping them find work and homes, or with purchasing tickets for the voyage to America. Through lack of money, fear of being turned away from America, or just their own choice, many Italian families decided to stay in Liverpool.
Christian street, Gerard street, Hunter street, Circus street, Lionel street, Grosvenor street and the many smaller streets springing off them, this was Liverpool's Little Italy. Home to not all, but the majority of Italian's who chose to settle within the city. Living alongside them within this community were the Irish ( my own ancestors included ) with the Catholic faiths of the two helping them to form a mutual respect for each other, with many Italian/Irish marriages taking place. St Joseph's church ( my ancestors church ) became the main place of worship for the Italian's, though many chose Holy Cross church on the other side of Scotland Road.
St Joseph's church 2006. All that remains of the church is the doorway and one end wall. The cross still sits proud at the top.
The Italian's were hard working, friendly, and well liked within the community, they worked hard and many found success with business ventures. They brought with them their skills from their homeland, allowing them to maintain their own traditions as well as bringing it to the local people. They were wonderful entertainers who brought their music, Organ grinders, Plaster figures, food, and ( with my eternal gratitude ) Ice cream.
They ran stores, cook houses, Fish and chip shops, while their skilled Mosaic and Terrazzo workers produced incredible work in some of the cities finest buildings. It is impossible to walk through Liverpool without seeing some of the skills of their craft.
The Italian's had settled in well in Liverpool. Although the Little Italy area was one of the most poverished in the city, it did not deter them, this was their home. Like the Irish they accepted what life had thrown at them, rose above it and got on with it all. Life could be hard and at times terrible, but they came through. The church processions and wedding celebrations have long become legendary, most of us can only wonder at how marvelous they where as we will never experience anything like them.
WW2
On 10th June 1940 Mussolini led Italy into the war when he sided with Germany, thus becoming an enemy of Britain and her allies. This decision triggered a number of events in Britain. Almost over night the orders came to round up Italian's living here and have them questioned and interned. A list was already prepared for those deemed a risk to Britain's security. The story of their plight is often overlooked.
A lot of those arrested in Liverpool were older men who had lived within the community for many years, many running businesses that served the local people. Some had sons serving with the British forces or had served for the British themselves during WW1. None of this mattered. A lot of none Italian locals were shocked at the treatment towards their friends and neighbours who they knew to be good people and a threat to nobody.
Was it fair? No! But it was war, and sadly war changes everything.
Like the German people living here during WW1, the Italian's soon experienced the dreaded early hours knock at their door as the authorities came looking for people to detain. And as with the German's 25 years earlier the Italian's often greeted the callers with the reply of ' He is serving for the british at war '
The Little Italy area of Liverpool was a very close and tight knit community. The powers that be knew this and realised that they would face questions from the locals as to their treatment of the Italian's, so they gave the dirty deed to the Police force. The local bobbies, mostly from Rose Hill station had the embarrassing task of knocking at homes and detaining people who they often knew very well and on friendly terms.
Sadly some elements frowned upon the Italian's and were hell bent on causing them trouble. Italian run shops and homes were attacked, windows smashed and insults thrown. Everyone had been living their lives together in Britain until the madness of war took over.
The detained Italian's were taken to camps around the Lancashire area, many were interned at the newly built housing estate of Woolfall Heath in Huyton. The estate became a camp in 1940 when the first internee's arrived. Each house was meant to hold twelve people, but with so many arriving tents had to be erected for use. The intention was to hold the men here until they could be moved to the Isle of man or as in other cases further afield.
Women were split from the men, families forced apart. They recieved no newspapers or reports about what was happening in the outside world. They knew nothing of how their families were coping. Many women were left to bring up the children with the main bread winner gone, unsure if he would ever return again.
Decisions had been made to deport many of the Italian's to Canada or Australia, the cruise ships Arandora Star and Ettrick were used for the voyage to Canada. On 1st July 1940 the SS Arandora Star left Liverpool on route to St. John's, Newfoundland and the Canadian internment camps. Aboard were Italian and German British nationals and prisoners of war. Figures differ but suggest that 734 Italian's and 479 German's sailed on the Arandora along with 86 POW's.
The Arandora Star had sailed out of Liverpool with no escort and no Red Cross markings to show she was carrying civilians and prisoners. By the morning of 2nd July she was sailing past the Northwest coast of Ireland when she was spotted by the German U-boat U-47. At 6.58 am a torpedo from the U-boat struck the Arandora Star causing her power to fail, her distress signal was picked up by Malin Head at 7.05 am who in turn passed it on to Land's End and Portpatrick.
A lot of those arrested in Liverpool were older men who had lived within the community for many years, many running businesses that served the local people. Some had sons serving with the British forces or had served for the British themselves during WW1. None of this mattered. A lot of none Italian locals were shocked at the treatment towards their friends and neighbours who they knew to be good people and a threat to nobody.
Was it fair? No! But it was war, and sadly war changes everything.
Like the German people living here during WW1, the Italian's soon experienced the dreaded early hours knock at their door as the authorities came looking for people to detain. And as with the German's 25 years earlier the Italian's often greeted the callers with the reply of ' He is serving for the british at war '
The Little Italy area of Liverpool was a very close and tight knit community. The powers that be knew this and realised that they would face questions from the locals as to their treatment of the Italian's, so they gave the dirty deed to the Police force. The local bobbies, mostly from Rose Hill station had the embarrassing task of knocking at homes and detaining people who they often knew very well and on friendly terms.
Sadly some elements frowned upon the Italian's and were hell bent on causing them trouble. Italian run shops and homes were attacked, windows smashed and insults thrown. Everyone had been living their lives together in Britain until the madness of war took over.
The detained Italian's were taken to camps around the Lancashire area, many were interned at the newly built housing estate of Woolfall Heath in Huyton. The estate became a camp in 1940 when the first internee's arrived. Each house was meant to hold twelve people, but with so many arriving tents had to be erected for use. The intention was to hold the men here until they could be moved to the Isle of man or as in other cases further afield.
Women were split from the men, families forced apart. They recieved no newspapers or reports about what was happening in the outside world. They knew nothing of how their families were coping. Many women were left to bring up the children with the main bread winner gone, unsure if he would ever return again.
Decisions had been made to deport many of the Italian's to Canada or Australia, the cruise ships Arandora Star and Ettrick were used for the voyage to Canada. On 1st July 1940 the SS Arandora Star left Liverpool on route to St. John's, Newfoundland and the Canadian internment camps. Aboard were Italian and German British nationals and prisoners of war. Figures differ but suggest that 734 Italian's and 479 German's sailed on the Arandora along with 86 POW's.
The Arandora Star had sailed out of Liverpool with no escort and no Red Cross markings to show she was carrying civilians and prisoners. By the morning of 2nd July she was sailing past the Northwest coast of Ireland when she was spotted by the German U-boat U-47. At 6.58 am a torpedo from the U-boat struck the Arandora Star causing her power to fail, her distress signal was picked up by Malin Head at 7.05 am who in turn passed it on to Land's End and Portpatrick.
The ship was sinking fast and the crew tried desperately to launch the lifeboats though many had been damaged by the explosion and others failed to launch. Those being held were kept in the lower levels of the ship ( The Italian's furthest down ) and faced a tide of barbed wire to get up on deck, many of the British guards and German POW's tried to pull the wire apart to help them, but time was running out and many would have sadly realised their fate. At 7.33 am the SS Arandora Star sank.
It is interesting that the Captain of the SS Arandora Star, Edgar Wallace Moulton, had before sailing complained about the number of passengers and the amount of barbed wire used. He had asked for the numbers to be halved and the wire to be removed, stating " if anything happens to the ship that wire will obstruct passage to the boats and rafts. We shall be drowned like rats and the Arandora Star turned into a floating death-trap " His protest fell on death ears and sadly his prediction was to come true. Moulton stayed aboard the ship trying to help the evacuation, he was aided by the German POW Captain Otto Burfeind. Both men perished.
A small flying boat responding to the distress call flew over the area and reported seeing people in the water. The HMCS St. Laurent, a Canadian destroyer, arrived at the scene and picked up many of the survivors. The sick and wounded were taken to Mearnskirk Hospital in Scotland.
The loss of life was terrible. It is believed 486 Italian's and 175 German's died along with British troops and crew. In the coming weeks the bodies of many of the victims began to wash up onto the shores of Scotland and Ireland. No complete list had been recorded for who was aboard, British troops had identity tags but for the Italian's and German's it was a case of going through any personal belongings to identify them.
One very moving outcome was how the people of the small coastal villages and towns of Scotland and Ireland treated the victims who were washed up on their shores. Although poor themselves and with no financial help they paid for the burials and for memorials to remember the dead of this tragic event. Humans being human.
Italians casualty details SS Arandora Star http://www.colonsay.org.uk/AStarItalian%20Notes.htm
Italian Casualty list http://www.valcenoweb.it/pagina-culturale/galleria/galleria-EMIGRANTE/vittime-arandora-star.htm
Italian Casualty list http://www.valcenoweb.it/pagina-culturale/galleria/galleria-EMIGRANTE/vittime-arandora-star.htm
The Arandora Star memorial, Pier Head, Liverpool
Like many, the Italian's living here gave so much to Britain during the war. Many of their men fought and many died while serving the country that had become their home. After all the years we can look back on events and clearly see that they posed no threat and their treatment was harsh. Hindsight is a wonderful thing, and a fear of the unknown can alter the attitude of the most placid person. This page is here only to remember the events that took place within our region, no right or wrong or judgements are being placed on any one group. Remembrance is everything.
Lest we ever forget.
DEBRA D'ANNUNZIO
THE ITALIANS AT WAR
1939 saw the threat of war looming and so Liverpool began preparing for war, gas masks, identity cards and ration books were issued, air raid shelters were erected in the neighbourhood and the children were being evacuated, this created public unease. At the same time tensions were growing within the city particularly due to the amount of support Italy was already giving to Germany so early on. Many of the Italians had never become British Citizens, which made life very desperate for them in the coming months.
The Italians were soon considered the enemy and the government began restricting their movements, over 1,500 Italian civilians living in Britain were considered dangerous characters and were to be arrested immediately in the event of Italy declaring war on Britain. The Italians were under a curfew having to report their every move to the police at Rose Hill station. There was a total ban on community activities and gatherings, even ice cream was forbidden due to a shortage of raw materials and it’s use of luxury ingredients. This soon created a hostile reaction within the Little Italy community resulting in many long established family businesses and homes being destroyed and looted by local mobs.
1939 saw the threat of war looming and so Liverpool began preparing for war, gas masks, identity cards and ration books were issued, air raid shelters were erected in the neighbourhood and the children were being evacuated, this created public unease. At the same time tensions were growing within the city particularly due to the amount of support Italy was already giving to Germany so early on. Many of the Italians had never become British Citizens, which made life very desperate for them in the coming months.
The Italians were soon considered the enemy and the government began restricting their movements, over 1,500 Italian civilians living in Britain were considered dangerous characters and were to be arrested immediately in the event of Italy declaring war on Britain. The Italians were under a curfew having to report their every move to the police at Rose Hill station. There was a total ban on community activities and gatherings, even ice cream was forbidden due to a shortage of raw materials and it’s use of luxury ingredients. This soon created a hostile reaction within the Little Italy community resulting in many long established family businesses and homes being destroyed and looted by local mobs.
My own Great Grandfather Puche D’Annunzio, a pensioner at the time with two sons in the Air Force and Royal Navy was to be taken from his home in Clare Street and interned, both his neighbours and Parish Preist of St Joseph’s fought against the decision because of his poor state of health. He was eventually considered too ill to travel by the local authorities and allowed to stay. Even back home in Italy one of the little villages, Picinisco, where numerous families emerged from was also under attack this time by the Germans.
The German Gustav Line, with Cassino as its lynchpin, ran right through this area. Picinsico was occupied by the Germans, The Castle’s keep was used as an observation post with a machine gun for use against low flying aircraft. During January 1941 the area was under terrible bombing attacks by the British, The damage to the village can still be seen today. Afterwards the German Army withdrew its occupation of the village.
The Italians were hard working people who had left their beautiful homeland in order to make better lives for their families and were of no threat to anyone they were just Italian. There was a definite fear of invasion and a distinct change in attitude towards the local Italians, some of the families decided to change or anglicise their surnames in order to remain safe in Liverpool. The Italian families, most of whom were second generation, were rounded up in the middle of the night by reluctant local police forces. The Italian families who were interned were taken to a newly built housing estate on Merseyside before either eventually being released or deported. An eight-foot
barbed wire fence surrounded the newly built houses, newspapers were not allowed and they remained segregated from their families throughout their time spent there. Some went to the Isle of Man whilst the remainder awaited deportation to Canada.
The German Gustav Line, with Cassino as its lynchpin, ran right through this area. Picinsico was occupied by the Germans, The Castle’s keep was used as an observation post with a machine gun for use against low flying aircraft. During January 1941 the area was under terrible bombing attacks by the British, The damage to the village can still be seen today. Afterwards the German Army withdrew its occupation of the village.
The Italians were hard working people who had left their beautiful homeland in order to make better lives for their families and were of no threat to anyone they were just Italian. There was a definite fear of invasion and a distinct change in attitude towards the local Italians, some of the families decided to change or anglicise their surnames in order to remain safe in Liverpool. The Italian families, most of whom were second generation, were rounded up in the middle of the night by reluctant local police forces. The Italian families who were interned were taken to a newly built housing estate on Merseyside before either eventually being released or deported. An eight-foot
barbed wire fence surrounded the newly built houses, newspapers were not allowed and they remained segregated from their families throughout their time spent there. Some went to the Isle of Man whilst the remainder awaited deportation to Canada.
On the 2nd of July 1940 the SS Arandora Star, originally a passenger ship built at Cammell Lairds in 1927, left Liverpool for St Johns Canada with over 500 Italian internees onboard. A German U-boat torpedoed the ship off the coast of Ireland, and within thirty minutes over 477 Italian men were killed.
This event became the most tragic in the history of the Anglo-Italian community. No other Italian community in the world had or has ever since suffered so greatly. The government soon realised grave errors had been made whilst identifying the dangerous Italians residing in Briatain at that time, this resulted in non facist Italians being deported also. The Little Italy community had been torn apart with many Woman and children left unsupported.
Despite the nightly raids on Liverpool that totally devastated the Little Italy area it’s residents spirits provailed. The infamous period which led up to Christmas 1940 became the most demanding, one night in particular the raids lasted for nine hours hundreds of high explosive incendary bombs and parachute mines were to change Liverpool forever. The heavily populated streets around the world famous Scoland Road were raised to the ground and Holy Cross Church fell victim during this horrendous time. After receiving a direct hit fire swept through the beloved building and even with the help of parishioners and preists the ARP Wardens did all they could to put out the fire but the church was beyond redemption. In the cold light of the following day Liverpool lay in ruins but this was only the start of many unhappy war years to come, however the Liverpool people remained strong spirited and night after night survived the raids in order to rebuild their lives.
This event became the most tragic in the history of the Anglo-Italian community. No other Italian community in the world had or has ever since suffered so greatly. The government soon realised grave errors had been made whilst identifying the dangerous Italians residing in Briatain at that time, this resulted in non facist Italians being deported also. The Little Italy community had been torn apart with many Woman and children left unsupported.
Despite the nightly raids on Liverpool that totally devastated the Little Italy area it’s residents spirits provailed. The infamous period which led up to Christmas 1940 became the most demanding, one night in particular the raids lasted for nine hours hundreds of high explosive incendary bombs and parachute mines were to change Liverpool forever. The heavily populated streets around the world famous Scoland Road were raised to the ground and Holy Cross Church fell victim during this horrendous time. After receiving a direct hit fire swept through the beloved building and even with the help of parishioners and preists the ARP Wardens did all they could to put out the fire but the church was beyond redemption. In the cold light of the following day Liverpool lay in ruins but this was only the start of many unhappy war years to come, however the Liverpool people remained strong spirited and night after night survived the raids in order to rebuild their lives.
My Grandfather Laurence D'Annunzio in his Naval uniform
The following stories are from Debra D'Annunzio's book " Liverpool's Italian Families " We thank Debra and the following people for their help with the web page.
The following stories are from Debra D'Annunzio's book " Liverpool's Italian Families " We thank Debra and the following people for their help with the web page.
OLIVE D'ANNUNZIO
My father Felice died when I was just 2 years old. With the help of my uncle Filipo my mother Agnes was able to keep the family Ice cream business going. When war broke out the Italian's suffered a lot, my mother could'nt even go to New brighton with her cart without having to go to Rose Hill police station to inform them of her movements. Even though my mother was British she was shunned by neighbours because she had an Italian name, lots of Italian's were anglicising their names at the time but my mother thought of how proud Felice was of his name and heritage so she put up with the malicious remarks rather than be called by anything else.
NICK RIOZZI
My father Anthony was born in Liverpool and served as an army officer in the first world war, he was terribly wounded in France and my mother travelled there to be with him. He later went to Northern Italy and acted as an enterpreter, while he was there he met Ernest Hemmingway. My father was awarded the military cross.
THE MINGHELLAS
Our father Anthony joined the Royal Navy at a very young age and fought in the war, this did'nt stop an angry mob threaten to smash our windows because we were Italian though. Our grandmother Domenica could'nt speak a word of English and we had to hide her at stages throughout the war, she was terrified of being interned.
MARY MADELINE FENNELL
A well known joke around Liverpool was how the ' German's bombed our chippys during the war ' unfortunately in the Frediani's case this was true. During the second world war a land mine fell near the shop but did'nt explode. we were evacuated and thought we'd had a norrow escape, however the following night the shop was bombed and totally ruined. This is the reason I dont have many pre-war photographs or family artefacts.
My aunty Maddie had a lodging house in Christian Street and housed seasonal workers from Italy. During the internment the workers were actually taken from the premises and sent to the Isle of Man, although it was not as bad as being sent to Canada onboard the Arandora Star. My uncle John Frediani joined the King's Royal Rifle Core and at El Alamein on 24th of October 1942, he was killed aged 32. He had been a pupil at St Francis Xaviers and is listed on a plaque there in remembrance to those who lost their lives fighting for their country.
My aunty Maddie had a lodging house in Christian Street and housed seasonal workers from Italy. During the internment the workers were actually taken from the premises and sent to the Isle of Man, although it was not as bad as being sent to Canada onboard the Arandora Star. My uncle John Frediani joined the King's Royal Rifle Core and at El Alamein on 24th of October 1942, he was killed aged 32. He had been a pupil at St Francis Xaviers and is listed on a plaque there in remembrance to those who lost their lives fighting for their country.
BRIAN McDONALD
My father was John Granelli. The family moved from Lionel Street to Dovecot and the name was anglicised to Granell, this did not deter racism and prejudice in the new estates and so my father change his name to McDonald ( mothers maiden name ) to help fit into their new life outside of the old community.
My father was twice severely wounded during the Sicily landings of the second world war and recieved the last rites on both occasions. He was nursed back to health by his mother and a wonderful lady Mary Hornby ( nee Ventre ) , undoubtedly if my father had not changed his name he would have been interned.
My father was twice severely wounded during the Sicily landings of the second world war and recieved the last rites on both occasions. He was nursed back to health by his mother and a wonderful lady Mary Hornby ( nee Ventre ) , undoubtedly if my father had not changed his name he would have been interned.
ANTHONY VERMIGLIO
During the second world war whilst in Egypt. Albert and Joe Vermiglio boxed for the army in front of Winston Churchill. Tom Vermiglio enlisted in the Royal Air Force and was shot down over Germany on the first day of the war, he had been a teacher at the Friary Gym.
Our family suffered during the internment, the windows of the family chip shop were smashed and they were threatened by a mob that had congregated outside, but the family fronted the mob and having been boxers sent them packing. Regardless of this the family harassed throughout the war and at one stage changed the name to Verman.
Our family suffered during the internment, the windows of the family chip shop were smashed and they were threatened by a mob that had congregated outside, but the family fronted the mob and having been boxers sent them packing. Regardless of this the family harassed throughout the war and at one stage changed the name to Verman.
" Liverpool's Italian Families " Debra D'Annunzio
CHRIS MUSCATELLI
John James Muscatelli
My uncle John James Muscatelli was born on 11th June 1920 to Fermo Carlo and Christina McLachlan. At the start of WW2 John joined up as a Trooper with the 11th Hussars, Royal Armoured Corps, giving his address on joining up was 1A Queen Anne Place, Liverpool.
John was sent to fight in Egypt and while he was there his father Fermo Carlo was interned in a Lancashire camp for being of Italian descent. He was classed as an Alien and an Enemy even though his own son was serving for the British Army.
On 29 June 1940 John was with his regiments A Squadron as part of patrols that were observing activities at El Gubi. They came under air attack and John attempted to tow away a damaged armoured car by hooking it to the lorry that he was driving. As he tried to flee he came under further attack and was hit by shrapnel. They managed to get John away from the scene and took him to a military hospital. Sadly at 4 am on 1st July John passed away as a result of his wounds. Fermo Carlo was still in the internment camp when he recieved the news that his son had died while serving for the very Army that was holding he himself as a prisoner.
John's brother Austin on returning home from basic Army training found the words ' Mussolini's Bastards ' scrawled on their tenement wall. This despite the fact that he was serving and his brother had died serving with the British Army. A cowardly act against a family who had given so much to serve their country.
John was sent to fight in Egypt and while he was there his father Fermo Carlo was interned in a Lancashire camp for being of Italian descent. He was classed as an Alien and an Enemy even though his own son was serving for the British Army.
On 29 June 1940 John was with his regiments A Squadron as part of patrols that were observing activities at El Gubi. They came under air attack and John attempted to tow away a damaged armoured car by hooking it to the lorry that he was driving. As he tried to flee he came under further attack and was hit by shrapnel. They managed to get John away from the scene and took him to a military hospital. Sadly at 4 am on 1st July John passed away as a result of his wounds. Fermo Carlo was still in the internment camp when he recieved the news that his son had died while serving for the very Army that was holding he himself as a prisoner.
John's brother Austin on returning home from basic Army training found the words ' Mussolini's Bastards ' scrawled on their tenement wall. This despite the fact that he was serving and his brother had died serving with the British Army. A cowardly act against a family who had given so much to serve their country.
THOMAS CHIOCCHI
We recieved information from a member of the Merseyside and Genealogy forum who while researching their family tree had discovered a relative who had married a Nora Chiocchi in Liverpool in 1946. She
herself wasn’t of Italian origin but had married a Thomas Chiocchi at
St John's church in Fountains Road in 1941, just before Thomas was
called up to serve in the British Forces. In 1944 Nora became a widow
left with a small child (also called Thomas) to bring up, because
her husband Thomas was killed in action. They believe that Thomas may have died before his son was born, so Thomas may never have seen him- another tragic aspect.
This looks like it is Thomas, in which case he died in Burma.
http://www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2507433
Despite the surname, Thomas wasn't a first, second or third generation Italian, more likely 5th or 6th generation. I’ve read that all Chiocchi on Merseyside stem from one Italian man, Luigi (Louis) Chiocchi, who moved to Liverpool (perhaps via Dublin) about 1825 and had three sons from an Irish wife. As a result, by the mid-1900s there was a sizeable Chiocchi extended family in Liverpool, mainly around the Heyworth Street and Fountains Road areas.
So the Chiocchi weren’t the same as most Italian families in Liverpool, who arrived there between 1870-1880, rather Luigi arrived in Liverpool about the same time as many Italians went to London and created an ‘Italian Colony’ there.
This website would like to find any members of the Chiocchi family who can confirm or add to the story.
This looks like it is Thomas, in which case he died in Burma.
http://www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2507433
Despite the surname, Thomas wasn't a first, second or third generation Italian, more likely 5th or 6th generation. I’ve read that all Chiocchi on Merseyside stem from one Italian man, Luigi (Louis) Chiocchi, who moved to Liverpool (perhaps via Dublin) about 1825 and had three sons from an Irish wife. As a result, by the mid-1900s there was a sizeable Chiocchi extended family in Liverpool, mainly around the Heyworth Street and Fountains Road areas.
So the Chiocchi weren’t the same as most Italian families in Liverpool, who arrived there between 1870-1880, rather Luigi arrived in Liverpool about the same time as many Italians went to London and created an ‘Italian Colony’ there.
This website would like to find any members of the Chiocchi family who can confirm or add to the story.
DOM VOLANTE
Many of the Italian men became renown Boxers, none more so than Dom Volante who enjoyed a fine career in the ring and remains one of the best boxers never to have won a title. Dom turned professional after just one fight and appeared in the ring a total of 131 times, winning 95 fights ( 55 by knock outs ), losing 25 and drawing 11. Imagine one of todays boxers taking in that many bouts!!!. In 1930 his popularity earned him a tour of America where he took on Harry Carlton in front of 18,000 fans at Madison Square Gardens. Volante drew the fight and the US press called it the Greatest fight ever to have taken place at the arena.
Eye trouble and advice from doctors forced Dom to quit boxing in 1933, yet he was back within 2 years and fought 6 more times undefeated, before finally hanging up his gloves. Dom then went to sea working as a Steward and a fitness instructer aboard the Cunard liners Mauretania and the Queen Mary. After the sea he worked as a security guard at Jacobs biscuits until he retired. Dom passed away in 1982 aged 77, Mourners lined the streets to pay respect to the man they called 'The people's champion'
Eye trouble and advice from doctors forced Dom to quit boxing in 1933, yet he was back within 2 years and fought 6 more times undefeated, before finally hanging up his gloves. Dom then went to sea working as a Steward and a fitness instructer aboard the Cunard liners Mauretania and the Queen Mary. After the sea he worked as a security guard at Jacobs biscuits until he retired. Dom passed away in 1982 aged 77, Mourners lined the streets to pay respect to the man they called 'The people's champion'
MY LITTLE ITALY
I was born and raised in Gateacre from Irish stock on my fathers side and Swedish on my mothers. Apart from being called Anthony I have no Italian connection. My ancestors however were born and bred in the Little Italy area of Liverpool, Irish of course, Hogan, Flaherty and Grady and I would like to tell you a bit about them.
The famine brought my family here and many of them lived within the area from that early time right up to the 1960's. My Grady's had houses on Christian street, and are believed to have been money lenders. St Joseph's was the family church and in November 1908 my Great Grandparents John Hogan and mary Flaherty married there, they had both been living in St George's Terrace, one of the courts off Comus Street and they brought their family up at number 14.
John Hogan was born in Dublin and came here with his family as a young boy, Mary Flaherty was born in Rose Place, she was a very religious woman and not someone who suffered fools.
The famine brought my family here and many of them lived within the area from that early time right up to the 1960's. My Grady's had houses on Christian street, and are believed to have been money lenders. St Joseph's was the family church and in November 1908 my Great Grandparents John Hogan and mary Flaherty married there, they had both been living in St George's Terrace, one of the courts off Comus Street and they brought their family up at number 14.
John Hogan was born in Dublin and came here with his family as a young boy, Mary Flaherty was born in Rose Place, she was a very religious woman and not someone who suffered fools.
John and Mary Hogan ( nee Flaherty ) pictured in 1915 with their 3 boys John, Bernard ( my grandfather holding his dads hand ) and Thomas. Probably taken at Jerome's.
The Hogan's were Coopers by trade and had worked at the Guinness factory in Dublin. Young John pictured above became a Cooper and worked around the Albert Dock. The Flaherty's were a huge family, some emigrated to Australia and by the 1930's they where in Newcastle, New south Wales. Two of the boys ran a Showboat on the river. Some of the family were members of the Melbourne underworld in the 1950's and some spent time in the notorious Pentbridge Gaol in the 1930's.
Mary's brother Bernard Flaherty joined the Army as a young man and served in WW1, he was in the trenches in France when he decided he had had enough and incredibly walked away and made it back home on his own, once back in Liverpool he realised he was in serious trouble and joined up again, soon he was back in the trenches. He later lived in Christian Street and Gerard Street, a real character who loved gambling and ran books taking bets from outside his house.
John Hogan worked as a Pressman at the local docks, he joined the Lancashire Fusiliers at the outbreak of WW1 and while training he recieved a crush injury to his foot, it was so severe he was discharged as unfit and recieved a army pension. That should have been the end of his war but he decided to join up again and lied about his past service. He signed up as a Gunner in the Royal Garrison Artillery and was sent to France. In march 1917 Mary gave birth to their daughter Winifred, John was in Belgium and Mary had the baby photographed and the picture was sent out to John, he never recieved it, having been killed in action at Ypres just before its arrival.
My Grandad Bernard Hogan was a pupil at Bishop Goss and later worked as a Flagger for the corporation. He married my Grandma Ellen Owens in 1937 at St Anthony's church and they moved into St Martins Cottages. A year later my father Bernard was born. WW2 came and Grandad joined the Royal Artillery as a Gunner, serving in Malta for 3 years before going into Italy. In January 1944 he was at Lauro in Campania when sadly he was killed, he is buried at Minturno War Cemetery.
The Hogan's were Coopers by trade and had worked at the Guinness factory in Dublin. Young John pictured above became a Cooper and worked around the Albert Dock. The Flaherty's were a huge family, some emigrated to Australia and by the 1930's they where in Newcastle, New south Wales. Two of the boys ran a Showboat on the river. Some of the family were members of the Melbourne underworld in the 1950's and some spent time in the notorious Pentbridge Gaol in the 1930's.
Mary's brother Bernard Flaherty joined the Army as a young man and served in WW1, he was in the trenches in France when he decided he had had enough and incredibly walked away and made it back home on his own, once back in Liverpool he realised he was in serious trouble and joined up again, soon he was back in the trenches. He later lived in Christian Street and Gerard Street, a real character who loved gambling and ran books taking bets from outside his house.
John Hogan worked as a Pressman at the local docks, he joined the Lancashire Fusiliers at the outbreak of WW1 and while training he recieved a crush injury to his foot, it was so severe he was discharged as unfit and recieved a army pension. That should have been the end of his war but he decided to join up again and lied about his past service. He signed up as a Gunner in the Royal Garrison Artillery and was sent to France. In march 1917 Mary gave birth to their daughter Winifred, John was in Belgium and Mary had the baby photographed and the picture was sent out to John, he never recieved it, having been killed in action at Ypres just before its arrival.
My Grandad Bernard Hogan was a pupil at Bishop Goss and later worked as a Flagger for the corporation. He married my Grandma Ellen Owens in 1937 at St Anthony's church and they moved into St Martins Cottages. A year later my father Bernard was born. WW2 came and Grandad joined the Royal Artillery as a Gunner, serving in Malta for 3 years before going into Italy. In January 1944 he was at Lauro in Campania when sadly he was killed, he is buried at Minturno War Cemetery.
My Grandad Bernard Hogan. Born and brought up in Liverpool's Little Italy and now forever at rest in Italy. Pictured here in 1940 with my Grandma Ellen ( nee Owens ) and my father Bernard.
In 2007 we visited my Grandfathers grave in Minturno, Italy. You can read about our visit on the link below.
http://www.freewebs.com/bernardhoganmaltaitalyww2/italy2007.htm
In 2007 we visited my Grandfathers grave in Minturno, Italy. You can read about our visit on the link below.
http://www.freewebs.com/bernardhoganmaltaitalyww2/italy2007.htm
I am proud that my family came from the Little area of Liverpool and just wanted to share their story with you.
Anthony Hogan
We welcome any wartime stories about Liverpool or Merseyside Italian's. If you would like your ancestor added then please email hogantho@aol.com