Trying to find details about Atilio Locatelli

[RRTB]

That's very true - Italy was expected to join the German side before WW1 started. Instead, they remained neutral, only coming in on the Allied side in 1915. The South Tyrol, Trentino and Trieste areas were where they mainly fought as far as I know, with many casualties and prisoners taken especially after the Germans reinforced the Austro-Hungarians.

RRTB

[q98]

The Imperial Japanese Navy also conducted operations in the Mediterranean Sea.
My wife has a portrait of her Italian-born grandfather in Australian Army uniform in front of crossed Italian and British flags with the header “For the honour of both”. He survived the war and returned to his gold mining claim at Day Dawn, Western Australia. Unfortunately, he never “struck it rich” but mined sufficient gold to bring his family out.

[MaxD]

It is of note that the Medaglia della Guerra was not established until 29 July 1920.  It was awarded "in minima parte" - in small numbers" to soldiers of other nations.  As the widow has a widow's medal, perhaps she applied and was awarded both??

His British medal records don't have any indication  that the medals were not delivered to his next of kin.

Was the widow in UK during and after the war is it known?

A puzzle indeed.
MaxD

[RRTB]

Hi Max,

Attilio and Rosa (Rosina) were living in Middlesex in 1911 according to the census, so yes she would have been therefore living in England in 1920. Attilio was born in Blackfriars of Italian parents who were themselves born in Italy.

I've been trying to find out a bit more about the widows' war medal but so far it has escaped me. I am assuming that it's something like the Death Penny but whether or not it was issued by the Italian military to her along with her husband's own War medal I don't know.

My cousin's mum (Attilio's daughter) didn't really know much about her father's or mother's background. It's actually a very complicated set-up involving Dutch, German, French and Italian links!!

[MaxD]

This must be the widows' medal:

https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C134610#:~:text=Instituted%20by%20a%20royal%20decree%20of%2024%20May,of%20the%20Legislative%20Council%20of%20New%20South%20Wales.

MaxD

[RRTB]

Hi Max,

Actually, the one which my cousin has is this version.

This one is the Unification of Italy commemorative version, but the one you posted might be a specific Mothers/Widows one, especially with the wording which attaches to it.


I also just realised that I said in my last post that Attilio was married to Rosa. That should have read Angele; Rosa was his mum!

RRTB

[MaxD]

Looking at an Italian medal forum, the suggestion is that the National Association medal was a commercial  produced item whereas the one described on the Aus site is an official government medal.  Need to revisit this though, drag up my rusty Italian and join the forum perhaps!

MaxD

https://miles.forumcommunity.net/?t=59507760

[RRTB]

Thanks for that - just had a read through with my rusty Italian and yes, it does suggest it was a commercial thing but I think I gleaned that it became more official. A re-read with a dictionary might be in order!

R

[Svenja]

Hi

I think I have just found him on the database for Italian soldiers who died in the great war (cadutigrandeguerra).

Locatelli Atilio di (son of) Luigi
Sergente 8e reggimento fanteria, nato il 22 gennaio 1884 Londra ed inscritto di leva nel commune di Lecco, distretto militare di Lecco, disperso il 14 dicembre 1917 sul Monte Grappa in combattimento.

http://www.cadutigrandeguerra.it/CercaNome.aspx

Regards
Svenja