Silvio
Vincenzo
Bertolini
1876-1940
Castelvecchio
Silvio Bertolini was born at Castelvecchio near Barga in 1876. The youngest of nine children,
Silvio Vincenzo (my maternal Nonno) emigrated in 1900 from the hilltop town of Castelvecchio, near Barga
in the Serchio Valley, Provincia di Lucca, Tuscany. The 1901 Scotland Census records him living as
a boarder at the home of his sister
Costanza, and her husband Cristofano Ghiloni at 84 North Street, Glasgow.
This military service photograph of him,
sporting his trademark moustache, was taken about 1905.
Silvio married my Nonna Rosa (Pieraccini) in September 1912 at St Patrick's Church in Anderston,
Glasgow - their wedding photograph is depicted above.
Silvio and Rosa set up home at a top floor flat located at 362 St Vincent Street where their three
children were born.
Although having no retail or culinary background, Silvio established a Fish and Chip shop
at 495 St Vincent Street, Glasgow.
This photo shows Silvio standing proudly with his two young children - Gino and Maria - outside
the fish restaurant in 1919.
The family flourished but, along with all the other Italian internees, Silvio was rounded up on June 2 1940.
Taken firstly to the local Central Police Station at Glasow, he was later moved to Warth Mills Internment
Camp at Bury, Lancashire. A few weeks later
Silvio was embarked on the Arandora Star where he perished when the boat was torpedoed
on July 2, 1940.
Silvio and Rosa's son, Gino, was also arrested by the local Glasgow police.
Gino was my mother's elder brother. Gino was also a close friend of my father Alberto and they played football
together - Gino was an excellent goalkeeper.
Both Gino and Alberto were interned together at the Isle of Man.
Alberto and Clementina were later to be married in July 1945.
Nonna Rosa remained at 362 St Vincent Street, Glasgow until the 1970s when the building was demolished.
She was relocated to a 13th floor flat at Royston Road, Glasgow before spending her final years living
with my Mum and Dad.
Rosa reached the remarkable age of 102 years before passing away peacefully in April 1982.