Papa's Island
Category: Book
| Title | Papa's Island |
|---|---|
| Author | Melanie Drewery, Illustrated by Fifi Colston |
| Year | 2006 |
| Publisher | Reed |
| ISBN | 1869485947 |
| Language | English |
| Format | paperback |
| Geographic reference | Somes Island, Wellington Harbour |
| Online resource | no |
| Topic | Somes Island, WWII, Italian prisoners of war, |
This story is based on real events that took place in New Zealand during World War Two. Somes Island in Wellington Harbour was used as a prison camp for enemy aliens, mostly Germans and Italians. Often these men were arrested with no warning and some were held unfairly. Their families did not always speak good English and many were confused about why their husbands and fathers were being taken. This children's book tells the story of one Italian family.
More info about the internment of Italian men on Somes Island can be found here:
La presenza italiana in Nuova Zelanda (1875-1950)
The Italian Community
Casa, Paul, 1903-2001 : Papers relating to his internment on Somes Island
Prisoners of War
Memorial to Italian Internees on Somes/Matiu Island in WWII
