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Italian Prisoners of WarPrint Page Print this page

Italian POW Memorial Inscription
Italian POW Memorial Inscription

Photographs supplied by Diane Watson

The monument commemorates Italian Prisoners of War (POW's) who died in P.O.W. camps.

The Italian Prisoners of War took no part in the Cowra breakout and willingly worked in the area.

During World War Two at Britain's request, Australia agreed to take 18,000 Italian prisoners of war and the Cowra Camp (one of 28 in Australia) featured prominently by housing 2,000 of these at any one time. The overall numbers that went through Cowra may never be known but it is estimated at 4,000.

The Italians arrived in 1943 and onward and were housed in compounds A and C with approximately 1000 in each. It soon became apparent that many of these Italians were easy going and just wanted to work hard and see their time out. A number of them were trusted individuals who were able to drive vehicles and work on farms or do labouring work away from the camp. Many were allocated and stayed on surrounding farms.
 

Location

Address:Sakura Avenue & Evans Street, Cowra, 2794
State:NSW
Area:AUS
GPS Coordinates:Lat: -33.811636
Long: 148.703872
Note: GPS Coordinates are approximate.
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Details

Monument Type:Monument
Monument Theme:Conflict
Sub-Theme:WW2
Actual Event Start Date:03-September-1939
Actual Event End Date:15-August-1945

Dedication

Front Inscription

Lest We Forget

1940  1945

Dedicato Ai Soldati Italiani 

Deceduti nei Campi Di Prigionia & ai caduti di tutte le guerre & di tutte le nazioni

Land donated by Cowra Shire Council
 

Right Side Inscription

Plaque :

This monument has been erected by the Italian community in Australia to the memory of the Italian Prisoners of War who died in P.O.W. camps and to those of all nations who have fallen in times of war

Lest We Forget

 

Source: MA
Monument details supplied by Monument Australia - www.monumentaustralia.org.au