Prisoner of War mail, by Ruggero Bacci, to Mrs. Minnie Bacci, March 29, 1942
This handwritten prisoner of war mail in Italian, was sent by Ruggero Bacci, and is addressed to his wife Minnie Bacci, on March 29, 1942.
Bacci writes that he has sent his family a package with objects, including three small boxes and something made from bone. They are to be distributed according to instructions in a previous letter (see LICEA2012-0002-0052). There is some discussion about one of the objects, which he notes that if his aunt does not want it, his wife should take it to a goldsmith and have it made into a brooch. He asks if his wife knows anything more about his case. He writes that for him to be released more than humble prayers are needed. He wishes her a Happy Easter, and hopes they'll be reunited for the next one. He asks her to do her best to get him released and claims he can not do anything other than swear to do no harm to anyone and not to betray his country.
Bacci was interned for almost three years. In his absence, his wife Erminia (Minnie) suffered a serious nervous breakdown and was hospitalized at length. Bacci's oldest son Aldo was forced to quit high school to help support the family. When his father was released and returned home, Aldo received notice that he was conscripted into the Canadian Army; however, he did not serve overseas.
This document forms part of a collection of documents and other materials on loan by the Bacci family.