During the Second World War, Commonwealth railways struggled to attract skilled workers.

They were needed to continue the maintenance and wartime track work of the Trans Australian Railway. The solution to the workforce shortage? Prisoners of war.

In April 1942, a group of 300 Italian prisoners of war were assigned to work in 6 railway camps along the Trans Australian Railway. A military camp was also established at Cook in South Australia, for the headquarters staff to oversee the POW labour force. It was hoped that these men would expedite sleeper renewals on the railway and keep the momentum of the building of the line.

No troublemakers

Government correspondence at the time contained specific instructions regarding the selection of POWs to work on the railway. Records show that the railways were to recruit men that were 'thoroughly reliable and physically suitable for duty at isolated posts in a hot climate'. The men were also to be strong labouring types and not to be 'potential troublemakers or unwilling workers'.

The prisoners of war worked across the Nullarbor Plain, accompanied by army personnel, as well as skilled gangers and fettlers. This meant a strain on resources, creating the need for extra camp supplies, water, and tools.

Vital rations

There was much discontent regarding the provision of rations on the line, for prisoners of war, railway workers and military staff alike.

Railway work was so arduous that the diet rations for the prisoners of war and the railway workers had to be increased to include an extra allowance of meat. Prisoners of war were entitled to one ration of 5 cigarettes and also a bottle of beer per day.

One camp inspection report notes that 'On Sundays, POWs are permitted, under escort, to hunt rabbits in the desert' – the provision of which was much appreciated to supplement existing rations.

Nothing but desert

Camp military reports from the time comment on the wire surrounding the camps not being secure. This was countered by the fact that the surrounding country, being entirely desert, 'provides enough of a bar to escape'. It was reported that in June 1942, two men escaped from the camp one evening, but returned of their own volition the next day, due to harsh conditions and the impossibility of escaping on foot in the desert.

The heat and flies were constant companions for all the workers. Attempts were made to improve conditions by providing books, indoor games and soccer balls. While the spiritual needs of the POW’s were difficult to fulfil, a radio set allowed them to enjoy broadcasts of church services.

Vital contribution

Despite the difficult logistics and the strain on railway and military resources, the Italian prisoners of war made a vital contribution to the continued progression of the Trans-Australian railway. During the 20 months that they were engaged on the line, the men contributed to significant track maintenance and the establishment of new sidings. Most of the POW’s were repatriated to Italy by the middle of 1947. Some were given permission to remain in Australia.

Italian Australians

Of those repatriated to Italy, some former POWs returned in later years to make Australia their home. Listed as both blacksmith and bricklayer, Donato Caresimo served 4 years in the Italian Army in the Second World War, before being arrested in Libya in 1941. He was transported by ship to Sydney and travelled to Hay and Cowra prisoner of war camps. By April 1942, he was sent to work at Cook. His POW service record refers to him being transferred three times due to his constant complaints and inability to adapt. Other remarks on his camp dossier admit he was of good character and worked satisfactorily.

Farm work in South Australia followed his time on the railways, allowing him an introduction to dairy work and a remedy to the acute labour shortages being experienced by farmers on the Murray River. After his repatriation to Naples in 1946, Farmer John Daly later sponsored Donato's migration back to Australia with his wife and daughter in 1952. This rural farm sponsorship and a stint with South Australian Railways saw him firmly established back in the Australian population as a free man. He became an Australian citizen in 1959.