This is the second of four posts concerning the 2023 “Paths to Freedom” (Sentieri di Libertà) event in Servigliano, Italy. The event was a celebration of both the 80th anniversary of the Italian Armistice and the subsequent breakout of thousands of Allied POWs from camps across Italy—including camp PG 59 in Servigliano.
Read also “‘Paths to Freedom’—the First Day,” “‘Paths to Freedom’—the Third Day,” and “‘Paths to Freedom’—the Fourth Day.”
“Paths to Freedom” (Sentieri di Libertà)—8 September 2023
The morning began with the unveiling of a new plaque at the entrance to the camp.
A host of dignitaries were in attendance, included the British Ambassador to Italy Ed Llewellyn (Lord Llewellyn of Steep, OBE), British Defense Attaché Matthew Smith, United States Defense Attaché Lt Allen Juno, the Prefect of Fermo Michele Rocchegiani, the Mayor of Serviglano Marco Rotoni, and the President of the Province of Fermo Michele Ortenzi.
For many whose loved ones were interned within PG 59’s stone walls the experience of walking the grounds was a profoundly emotional experience.
These individuals included Crystal Aceves and her son Tristan, granddaughter and great grandson of Carl Good; Steve Dickinson, nephew of Robert Dickinson; Leslie Woollcott, daughter of Ernest Debenham; Rona Crane and Jeannie Hendra, daughters of Ronald McCurdy; Tom Mandese, grandson of Joe Mandese; Judy Ingersoll and Renee Geeting, daughters of Luther Vaughn; Susan Procko and Lauren Procko Boxer, daughter and granddaughter of John Procko; Tom VanSlooten and Karen Miersma, son and daughter of Louis VanSlooten; Ed Cronin and Jessica Thompson, son and granddaughter of Tom Cronin; Linda Veness, Jan McMahon, and Evelyn Ferry, daughters of R. J. McMahon; and Caroline and Jane Harmer, daughters of Geoffrey Harmer.
Not everyone in attendance had this family connection to PG 59, but most had a family member who had been held in an Italian camp—including PG 49 Fontanellato, PG 21 Chieti, PG 82 Laterina, and PG 102 L’Aquila. Some had been transferred from one camp to another over time. Regardless, we shared a close, sympathetic bond.
Chris Willis, whose father Andre Willis was a prisoner in the officers camp to the north of PG 59 has recently launched a blog dedicated to the history of PG 49 Fontanellato.
The group next gathered at the museum classroom for my presentation on the Camp 59 Survivors website.
During the talk I shared some key information about the POWs and referenced a few compelling stories that represent the broad range of material on the site.
View a PDF of the entire presentation, which includes both images and accompanying script on “‘Paths to Freedom’—Downloads.”
Next up was a talk by Steve Dickinson about his uncle Robert Dickinson and Robert’s remarkable prison camp diary Servigliano Calling. After his talk, Steve formally presented the diary in memory of his uncle to the Casa della Memoria archive/museum.
A delicious lunch prepared by Bar Lu Ministru was served in the open courtyard of the Servigliano town hall. The meal was courtesy of Casa della Memoria.
Lunch was immediately followed by a bus/car caravan to Montelparo, where attenders rendezvoused with ELMS walkers at a plaque dedicated to Sidney Seymour Smith, who was killed in March 1944 at that very location.
Sidney’s story was shared, along with the stories of other escaped prisoners hidden in the Montelparo vicinity. This was followed by a short, solemn ceremony of remembrance.
For more, see “Sidney Seymour Smith—A Mystery Solved.”
Several local residents who showed up shared their own memories of life in their community during the months that followed the Italian Armistice.
Giuseppe Mazzoni’s granddaughters Donatella and Luisella Sgariglia, who live in Tuscany, attended the event. Mayor of Montelparo Marino Screpant presented them with a certificate commemorating the protection their family had given Sidney.
For decades local resident Cristina Franca’s mother regularly brought flowers to the cross that marks the place of Sidney’s death. However, now it is Cristina herself who is following her mother’s tradition of remembering Sidney.
We visited the Church of Santa Maria in Camurano, which is a short walk from where Sidney lost his life. The structure dates to around 1549, when an older primitive roadside chapel was enclosed with sandstone walls and a protective roof. The chapel-sanctuary is built on a rectangular base and has a barrel-vaulted ceiling; its votive frescoes date to the 16th century.
Later in the day, back in Servigliano, a La Casa della Memoria-sponsored exhibition, “Un altro viaggio in Italia” (Another journey to Italy), curated by the Istituto Nazionale Ferruccio Parri, opened on a second floor gallery of the town hall.
The trilingual exhibition—in Italian, English, and German—is an attempt by the Parri Institute to bring a young, international audience to a better understanding of the complex history of Italy in the Second World War.
Finally, the day ended with a presentation by author Paolo Giunta La Spada on his new book Italia, 8 settembre 1943: Autobiografia di una nazione (Italy, September 8, 1943: Autobiography of a nation). The work focuses on the significance of the September 8 Armistice from the Italian perspective, with an emphasis on Italian POWs around the world and Allied POW escapees in Italy.
At 8 pm, the group retired to dinner at Villa Funari—yet another relaxed, delectable, multiple-course meal!
Stand McMahon created this beautiful map of Servigliano for the event:
Camp 59 Survivors 