It was exactly 74 years ago today, at roughly 7.30 a.m. on 2 July 1940, that the Arandora Star was sunk by a German U-boat just 400 miles off the northwest coast of Ireland.
We remember all those who were on board being deported to Canada, but especially those from the Casalattico area. Of the 865 who drowned, those who lost their lives that morning from Casalattico included Giuseppe Forte (son of Pancrazio, London), Antonio Fusco (Belfast), Antonio Marsella (Bonnybridge), Filippo Marsella (Wishaw) and Giuseppe DiVito (Crossgates).
Of the 800 survivors we also remember Rocco Forte (Worthing), and brothers Adolfo and Guido Felloni, who were put on SS Dunera just 8 days later for a cruel 57 day journey to Australia.
If you do not know the story, then I urge you to find out more about the Arandora Star disaster of 2nd July 1940.
Antonio Fusco
Giuseppe Forte
Filippo Marsella