Dear Luisa

By Mariella Simmons and Jim Simmons

A young Australian man signs up to go to war having little knowledge of how his life would be impacted in the future. World War II is the setting for this true story which tells of two people who meet in difficult and tragic circumstances. Jim, after serving at Tobruk, was captured and sent to POW camps in Germany and Italy. Luisa, born during WWI was raised in a small village in Italy. This is a love story of two ordinary people whose lives will forever be entwined by the horrors of that war and the impact it had on future generations.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris AU
• Release date: Oct 24, 2023
• ISBN: 9798369493182

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Copyright © 2023 by Mariella &Jim Simmons.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Rev. date: 10/05/2023

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This book is for

James, Sharon, Anne-Maree, Luke, Shaun

Danielle, Douglas, Damien

James & Sarah

Lauren & David

and all the grandchildren

and

great grandchildren that follow

Special thanks to

Danielle Ainsley, my daughter and best friend

for her love, encouragement

and support

without which this would

never have been written

JAMES PATRICK SIMMONS

My dad, James Patrick Simmons was born to John and Agnes Simmons near Bright, Victoria on Valentines Day, 14th February 1914. In those days before television a big family was the norm and the Simmons family was no exception. Jim had 3 brothers, Mick, Jack and Pat and 4 sisters, Clarrie, Josie, Margie and Nancy. Bright would have been a wonderful place to grow up and their carefree childhood in a loving family was to be envied. Their home was a distance from the township so the 4 girls all rode the same horse to school each day.

As they grew older the boys found work milking cows, cutting hops, working on the tobacco, trimming and felling in the pine forests and picking up whatever work they could. Their father, John Patrick, had served in the First World War and like their father, Jim and his brother, Mick, joined the army at the start of World War 2 on 24 June 1940. Jim was 26. I doubt whether both young men had any idea what hostility and brutality they were walking into. After military training, later that year on 15th November they were sent overseas to serve in the Middle East. Jim and Mick served in the 2/24th infantry battalion and were part of the Rats of Tobruk (Libya) captured on 1st May 1941, after their outpost was surrounded by enemy tanks.

They then were sent to camps in Italy: Tripoli 7 months, Campo 59 for 6 months, Campo 57 for 15 months. On 8 September 1943 the Italian Armistice ended the Italian administration of the camps and many prisoners were able to escape at this time. The camps in northern and central Italy were then secured by the Germans and used to hold new prisoners and recaptured escapees (Wikipedia).

Jim and several others ended up hiding in the hills around Varzi, a small town in the provence of Pavia. They were dirty, starving and exhausted when discovered by two sisters, Luisa and Lauretta, near a small church where the women often went foraging for food. There was little the women could do as food and essentials were in short supply everywhere because of the war. However they helped and gave what little they had. It is not known how long the escapees stayed hidden in the hills but it was long enough to leave a lasting impression on Jim. Eventually however the prisoners were recaptured. One of the escapees, Roy, had kept a diary of their time in the mountains around Varzi and wrote of the people who had helped them with food, clothes, etc. Unfortunately his diary was confiscated when he was recaptured and Luisa and Lauretta were rounded up and interrogated by the fascists for their part in assisting the escapees. After 6 months imprisoned Luisa was released.

It was unclear whether Jim and Mick were separated at this stage. Jim was sent to Germany: Stalag IVB and Stalag IVD, 13 months. The conditions were generally very bad, cramped conditions, rations were scarce, sanitary facilities were non-existant or inadequate and prisoners were put to work in agriculture or labouring jobs for 8 to 14 hours a day. Jim was freed on 25th April 1945 (Wikipedia)

My brother Jim (named after his dad) told the story that he ran into our uncle Jack in a pub in Wangaratta. Jack recounted the story of how Mick and Jim had been separated at some stage but both were repatriated to the UK after the war and literally bumped into each other in a London street. Imagine what a reunion that would have been after the trauma they both went through and the long months of not knowing each others’ whereabouts or survival.

Both were eventually repatriated back to Australia but Jim could not forget those he left behind in Italy. Five years of fighting the war then fighting to survive in very harsh circumstances of the POW camps would take its toll on so many who survived. Jim was undoubtedly suffering post traumatic stress syndrome and it would have a profound effect on the remainder of his life.

LUISA MARIA MADDELENA ROMAGNESI

Luisa was born on 16 December 1916 in Varzi, Italy, a picturesque little town between Milan and Genoa on the banks of the Staffora river and at the base of snow capped mountains. Luisa had two brothers, Mario and Luigi, and an older sister, Lauretta, It was a very simple life but a happy one. Luisa spoke of the fun they all had at festivals and carnivals associated with the very Catholic calendar of events during Christmas, Easter and special saint’s days. As in most small Italian towns everybody knew everybody and first cousins, second cousins, etc. were plentiful. As well as all the relatives the Romagnesi family had a donkey which the father would take to Milan, load with coal and bring back to sell in the town. This was his job which would take several days so the donkey was a valuable addition to the family.

When the sisters were older they both learned hairdressing and money earned from this was brought home to the family. Lauretta was the first to marry and she and her husband moved into the family home so that Luisa was sent to live with her cousins, Tomaso and Angela, who had a spare room. The two sisters however remained very close and worked in the town as hairdressers and were well known and liked among the townspeople.

When World War 2 broke out Luisa’s brothers were sent off to fight while the girls stayed home. Having survived World War 1 the sentiment was against any more fighting, especially amongst local fascists and the partisans. Lauretta and Luisa attended Mass one morning, heard sniper fire from local fighters and when the two left the church after Mass Lauretta waved a white handkerchief in an effort to stop the gunfire. She was 31 years old when shot outside the church and died instantly. A plaque was installed in the street in Varzi where she died. It reads:

"Lauretta Romagnesi

1.3.1913 – 19.9.1944.

Died in the anti-fascist liberation struggle.

By offering herself to a holy peace mission she fell victim to her generosity".

Luisa was by her side. A single drop of blood fell onto her Missal which she carried with her to Mass for the rest of her life. Both Luisa and Lauretta received Certificates of gratitude for their assistance to Allied forces from H.R. Alexander, Field Marshall, Supreme Allied Commander.

When the war ended and sons and fathers came home Luisa became engaged to a local man whom she had known for many years. Unfortunately another woman in the town had set her heart for this man and caused much trouble in the town, eventually threatening suicide if he would not marry her. It must have been devastating for the man because he saw no solution but to leave town never to return.

It was during this time that Jim wrote letters to the women in Varzi who helped him and his mates survive. He had read about the terrible conditions in Italy after the war and wanted to show his gratitude by sending parcels of food, clothing, wool, material, etc. He especially remembered Luisa and it didn’t take long for him to realise that she had had a long lasting effect on him. And so the letters began the first one on 14th April 1946.......................

* The letters were written in English so a friend of Luisa’s, Sophia, translated them for Luisa

WINCHELSEA 14.4.1946

Dear Luisa,

Yesterday I received your letter and photograph which now is on (hangs) the wall of my room. And why have you thought that I had forgotten your sister? Luisa I cannot speak your language well, nor write it, but maybe this pen is a fascist pen because it doesn’t write the words in my heart. For a thousand times last month I thought of many beautiful things of the people of Varzi.

I remember well that morning near the church and that beautiful blonde. I remember the white jumper (dopolanno – knitted after work). Luisa this morning in church I thought a lot about Laura. Why is life like this? That photograph of Laura is always in my pocket and always in my thoughts. Now? At home with all the beautiful things of life I’m still not happy. Why? I have a car, little work, (studies?), but I think It would be better in the woods of Varzi.

I tried for many months to forget the main events of the years 1942 – 45 but the thoughts always return. I have received from Maria a photograph of Varzi and I’m still nostalgic for those Varzi woods. They know here, the ugly situation in Italy now and when I think of your suffering in the last years I cannot write my thoughts. Dear Luisa my parents, brothers and sisters have spoken many nice things (words) in gratitude (thanks). Luisa I must learn Italian a lot better because this is ugly and you may not be able to read it. The post is slow (3 months). Luisa we want to do something to help you. This week we sent a small parcel of clothing (things, goods) from my family who asked me to give you their regards.

Goodbye beautiful Luisa of the little church

from Jim

When I write again I’ll send a photograph

from the vagabond of Varzi"

(don’t forget to write)

WINCHELSEA 25.4.1946

(Rough Google Translation from Italian to English)

Dear Luisa,

Today, April 25, is the day when I was freed in Germany 1945. So many thoughts and many sad moments, happy moments, faithful friends like a girl, Luisa and another, dear Lauretta. And I can’t put my thoughts in this letter from the bottom of my heart. My mother said what a beautiful girl is Luisa and a brutal situation for me (Jim).

I want to do a lot of things because I know what the situation is now in Italy. Luisa it’s not right and where is your family? That little girl that morning near the church, your sister? I have 4 brothers and 3 sisters and our home is in the Victorian Alps. This Easter we have had many walks. Now I am an engineer. I have a district of 50 square kilometres, an office and 3 men. I’m lucky but never happy. I always think of the past life, of the months being cold, sometimes hungry. I work hard. Adventure life they say. I go everywhere now, every day in the car but I’m not happy. Why? Something in my blood? War?

The other day I saw a white jumper just like the one I bought you. I bought it immediately and when I wear it I think of Lauretta and the blond Luisa Romagnesi. Tell me about your family and your country. I miss Varzi. I have 4 photographs, yours, Maria, Lauretta and one of Varzi. I’m always in my room. Maybe it would be better to burn them.

You are perhaps a smart girl so don’t laugh at this letter. I’m here in Australia but in my thoughts I’m out and about in the mountains, in the concentration camps, in the forest or sometimes with a blond girl from Italy.

So now I’ll finish. I hope you can understand a few words Luisa. I hope your hard sacrifices and suffering are over and I hope you write to me sometimes. Thinking of you often.

Giacomo (Jim)

(Nel Inglese)

WINCHELSEA 21.6.46

Dear Luisa,

I received your letter 2 days ago and I was very pleased to hear from you again. I wrote to you about 2 weeks ago and sent you a photograph. I hope that you will recognise the miserable and dirty soldier whom you met near the little church and I also hope that you can get some good person to translate this letter to you.

I have some important news – Roi is not dead but alive and well and at his home. I receive letters from him to write in English. He received letters from Varzi but could not answer them so you will hear from him soon. I was angry with him for not destroying the diary that caused so much trouble and unnecessary suffering for yourself and Lauretta. I am so sorry for you good people over there who did so much to help us when we were hunted come conigli(like rabbits). I have sent two parcels of food to each of you and will continue to send it whenever opportunity occurs.

I have been very busy lately and have not had much time to think. I am so sorry that I cannot write your language better. I can understand every word that you write so you can continue writing in Italian. This month is the coldest month of the year in Australia so today I am thinking of the sunshine over there. The snow is falling here on the mountains. I will send you some photographs of Australia when I get time. I am also sending a testimonial (written account of the valuable assistance given to the escaped prisoners by Luisa, her friends and people of Varzi) that you can give to the English Capitano if you will promise me that you will not fall in love with him.

And so now if you are still so blind, perhaps the interpreter who reads this letter to you will be good enough to tell you one of the reasons why I am not as happy as I should be. I must address your letters Cara Luisa when instead I want to write Carissima. But I have not the courage to do that unless you give me a little more encouragement. And perhaps you only remember me as the dirty badly dressed prisoner that I must have been over there and you do not know me very well perhaps. I want the interpreter to tell you that I am always thinking of you and to ask you if you would like to come out to Australia and stay with my people for as long as you wish. I think that I would want you to stay here always. A few weeks ago there were many Italian girls come here to Australia and they are all very happy here and I am certain that you would also be happy. But I will not write to say any more until I have heard what you think about it.

I did not know that Lauretta was married and feel very sorry for her husband who would miss her very much. Give my best wishes to Angela and tell her I will send her a ricordo. Luisa, I hope that you will not blush too much when the interpreter tells you what I have written and that you will not be angry with me or think that I am silly in writing it. But I have not enough courage to say very much – the censors of both countries I can see smiling and the interpreter who reads it to you will probably smile too.

I will close now sending my regards to all your people but most especially to you.

Jim

(Inglese – da Jim)

WINCHELSEA 18.7.46

Dear Luisa,

I have received your letter of 7.7.46 and I am very pleased to hear from you again but I should not ask you to write so often because it is too expensive for you. I have written one letter to you in Inglese and hope that you have found someone to read it to you.

I hope that you gave that signore from Bozzola my address. There are so many people there who helped me but I cannot remember their names or addresses. I have not heard from Maria or Pina for some time although I have written and sent parcels to them. I have sent three parcels of food to each of you and surely some of them should arrive in Italy soon because it is many months ago that I sent the first one. I have also sent photographs and pictures from our newspapers so that you can see what Australia is like. I would like you to come to Australia, Luisa, as I know that you would be very happy here.

I am sorry to hear that your cousin has been in hospital and hope that he is better soon. My family are all well and my mother sends her best wishes to you. I still think of Varzi and often wish that I could go back there for a time. I am writing to Roi and will tell him to write to you in Inglese. He told me that he also would send food to you and Maria.

I have a new automobile now and travel very much. I wish that I could travel to Varzi in it but unfortunately they will not go on the ocean. Well Luisa, when next you write – tell me if you would like to come to Australia and I will make the arrangements and pay the money for your passage.

It would not take very long before you would learn to speak Inglese. I know that you would like my people and that we would make you the happiest girl in the world. I told you in my last letter how much I like you so it will not be necessary to say any more.

And now I will finish,

With love from Jim

WINCHELSEA 4.9.46

Dear Luisa,

I received your letter a few days ago and was very happy when it came. The mail was better this time as your letter was only two weeks on the voyage. I received 5 letters from Italy today so I am very happy.

I am so sorry to learn of your mother’s illness Luisa and it grieves me beyond expression when I think of all the suffering you have had during the past few years. I regard my friends in Varzi as the best ones I have ever had because they gave me assistance when I had nowhere to turn for help and I hope you can realise how helpless I feel in trying to repay them. I can send food, but I am afraid that much of it does not reach you. I am sending a parcel to each of you this week and hope that you receive it. There is 3 kilograms of food in each parcel.

Author Note: Luisa’s Mum had cancer

I received a photograph of Varzi in today’s letter from Pina and for hours have been thinking very hard (mostly about you). Luisa, I realise how it is impossible to consider coming to Australia when your mother is ill and I understand the position that you are in. I know also that you will realise that it is impossible for me to make the voyage to Italy. It would take many months to do this and I have a responsible position here that I could not possibly leave for so long. Please do not misunderstand me Luisa – you must know that if I possibly could, I would go back to see Varzi again. And perhaps when I left it would be necessary for the people in Varzi to find another hairdresser! Because I feel absolutely certain that I think more of you than any other girl I have met. I want to protect you from further suffering Luisa and give you some of the better things of life that you deserve.

There are plenty of girls here in Australia also but the fact remains that I keep remembering you. I want you to keep writing Luisa – not often, as it is much too expensive for you to write by air-mail. And I will keep on hoping that some day we will have the opportunity of meeting again and I will be able to show you in actions and words how much I think of you. I am absolutely certain that we will meet again some day. I know that we have only met several times but you made an impression on me that morning near the church. You were so clean and well spoken and we were so dirty and miserable and yet you ask me why I have so much gratitude?

Luisa, when you write again tell me what clothing you would like me to send. I know that clothing must be scarce in Italy and I will send you anything you wish for. Keep up your courage and remember that I am always thinking of you and waiting for the day when I will see you again..

I must stop writing now Luisa because I have much more work to do today and for the next hour I will be very busy trying to stop thinking of you and it will even be necessary to turn your photograph to the wall.

Don’t forget me Luisa and write when you get the opportunity as your letters bring me a happiness and contentment that I cannot find here.

With love from Jim

(Give my love and regards to your mother)

I have not yet received a letter from Bozzola.

WINCHELSEA 1.10.46

Cara Luisa,

I wrote a letter to you a fortnight ago and hope that you have received it. Also that you have received some of the parcels I have sent.

I still think of you Luisa and am still waiting to see you again – When? (Quando?)

How is your mother, Luisa? I hope she will get better as you have too many troubles already. I wish that I could help you more and I often think that I am not doing enough to help you and the other girls. If you could only come out to Australia, how different it would be. It would give me an opportunity to show you how highly I regard you. But all I have is your photograph and I cannot speak to it. So every letter that I write I will continue asking you when you are willing to come out here and live with us. We would make life very pleasant for you and I am sure that you would love our country. I have been thinking quite a lot about Italy lately (mostly about you). I have not had any letters from Roy for some time. Has he written to you yet? I have not had a letter from the person from Bozzola to whom you gave my address. I received letters from Pina and Maria about 2 weeks ago. They had been away from Varzi for some time.

I look forward very