Luigi Destro

Story

Luigi, born in 1902, was one of six children (2 boys and 4 girls) of Nicola and Placida Destro (born Lupo).

His upbringing was a happy one and typical of young men in a Sicilian town of the early 1900\’s.

Conscripted into the Army at age 18 years, he was soon transferred, because of obvious talents, to the Italian Air Force and trained to become a skilled motor mechanic.

Returning to his native town after discharge from the Air Force, it became evident that there would be little demand for his skills locally and hence, heeding good advice, he migrated to Australia, arriving in Sydney aged 24 and single.

Here the employment he valued most was a six year stint as mechanic in the NSW Fire Brigade assisting, with great pride, in maintaining the fleet of Fire Engines in tiptop performance.

In the mid 30\’s he wanted a change – and soon established a Service Station and workshop in Anzac Pde Kingsford known as ‘Kingsford Car Repairs’.

He soon acquired a good name as a trustworthy, capable tradesman and business flourished to the point of requiring the employment of 4 assistant mechanics and an apprentice. Life was good, he worked hard and enjoyed a rich social life.

But his whole world changed dramatically on the day Italy entered World War II – 10th June 1940. Luigi was interned. This was unexpected considering that he became a naturalized British subject in the mid 30\’s, and the respect with which he was held in the community.

Later he learnt that his internment was linked to his active membership in the ‘Club Italia’. He insisted that he frequented the Club for social and business, rather than, political reasons.

In the internment camp, his initial resentment disappeared as he dedicated himself to study, mastering Advanced Mathematics, French, German and elementary Japanese. He was released from internment in September 1945, by which time his business had folded.

He chose not to return to his trade and applied himself to building a block of units on his property in Kingsford.

He joined the San Francesco Association – a group of men and women who took on the voluntary task of assisting the thousands of Italian migrants arriving in Sydney – finding work for them and assisting in their general needs.

Later he travelled extensively visiting relatives in USA, Argentina and United Kingdom and spending some 2 years in Bronte with his father Nicola who by then had reached the age of 91 years.

Luigi was well known and much respected for his social graces, his honesty and generosity both in the Italian and Australian Communities.

He died after a prolonged illness on 26th June 1985.

Luigi never married but in 1937 he sponsored his elder brother, Nunzio (born 1899) who arrived in Sydney in November 1937 accompanied by his wife, Giovanna, and their three children: Nicholas (aged 9 years), Hector (aged 6 years) and Elvira (aged 2 years).

His memory will live on in them and their generations to come.

May he rest in peace.

< Back to the Stories