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On arrival in Australia, my family joined my father at Big Bell. Within two months my father and I were interned when war broke out. We were locked in a train for two traumatic days. In desperation, my father gave a stranger two shillings to buy food - he never returned. Once relocated on Rottnest, I volunteered to chop firewood. Being a minor, the Swiss Red Cross petitioned for my release. After 3 months, I was released at Fremantle with no money, no English, no family and no train home for 3 days. On my father's parting advice, I located Mr Luisini, an Italian shopkeeper who kindly lent me one pound. Within a week I returned home to Big Bell.

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