Algiers, late 1942. Donald Robinson is on the far right.
Sergeant Donald George Robinson, Royal Artillery, was captured on January 21, 1943 during a night skirmish with Rommel’s Afrika Korp at Bou Arada in Tunisia. From North Africa, he was transferred to P.G. 59 in Servigliano.
In September 1943, Donald escaped with the other prisoners during the general breakout from camp that followed the signing of the armistice.
For several months, he was protected by the Luciano and Dezi families who lived in the countryside near the camp.
Through the help of local partisans, Donald returned to Allied control in May 1944.
Donald and his wife returned to Italy in the 1960s. They stayed with the Dezi family and visited with members of the Luciano family as well.
Donald died in 1992, at the age of 76.
Twenty-two years later, Donald’s daughter, Georgina Stewart, traveled to the Marche with her husband John. Aided by Ian McCarthy and his wife Gabriella, they succeeded in finding members of both the Luciano and Dezi families.
Georgina recounted this adventure in a story she wrote for the Monte San Martino Trust website. See “Where Donald Robinson Hid.”
Nino Dezi with his wife Josephine. Georgina writes, “As as eight-year-old, Nino used to take food down the hill to my father, who was staying with the Luciano family. When my father and mother visited in the sixties, they stayed with the Dezi family.”
Nino Dezi with his wife Josephine with their family. Georgina and John Stewart are in the back row.
Georgina with Giovanni Luciano and his wife Rita, outside the house in the village where the couple lives today
In the two photos above, Giovanni Luciano and Georgina explore the house where Donald was sheltered. Although he was seven years old when Donald stayed with his family, Giovanni has memories of him.
This photo, Georgina writes, shows “the entrance to the cattle byre in the house where my father was hidden.”
Donald Robinson received this letter from Mariano Luciani in 1960.
Penna S. Giovanni
( Macerata )
March, 19th 1960
Dear Mr. Robinson:-
Received your letter and to hear that all of your family is well and thank God we too are in good health. Attilio Dezi gave us your pictures, and all of us were very glad of them.
Regarding yours staying with us sixteen years ago, we assure you that, humanly speaking, we did our duty and we are quite sure that you would have done the same thing.
Over here we are doing nicely and thank God we are doing nicely and have plenty of everything. The family below us send you their regards, Attilio Dezi gave us your package and it was opened. Many thanks for it.
Not having anything else to say, we all send you our very best regards
Sincerely Yours
[signed] Mariano Luciani
Luciani Mariano
Contra Saletta
Penna S. Giovanni
( Macerata )
This letter from the War Office was the official notification of Donald Robinson’s status as missing-in-action.
R. A. RECORD & PAY OFFICE
FIELD BRANCH
4 – FEB 1943
FOOTS CRAY, SIDCUP, KENT.
MADAM,
I regret to have to inform you that a report has been received from the War Office to the effect that (No.) 318797 (Rank) W/Sgt (Name) ROBINSON Donald George (Regiment) Royal Artillery was posted as missing on the 23d January 1943 In North Africa.
The report that he is missing does not necessarily mean he has been killed, as he may be a prisoner of war or temporarily separated from his regiment.
Official reports that men are prisoners of war take some time to reach this country, and if he has been captured by the enemy it is probable that unofficial news will reach you first. In that case I am to ask you to forward any postcard or letter received at once to this Office and it will be returned to you as soon as possible.
Should any further official information be received it will be at once communicated to you.
I am, MADAM,
Your obedient Servant,
(signature)
for Officere in charge of Records.
IMPORTANT. Any change of your address should me immediately notified to this Office.
