Somerset has been enriched by immigrants since the year dot. Although it’s Syrian immigrants who make the headlines today in the 1940s it was Italians who came to the county – as prisoners of war.

Our recent article about Italian POWs in Burrowbridge, Taunton and Highbridge has sparked the memories of Linda Hocking of Bridgwater whose father came to area following the collapse the Italian army’s campaign in North Africa.

Thousands of Italian soldiers were taken captive by the British army and sent to camps across the country for the duration including the one at Goathurst.

Mrs Hocking said: “My father, Salvatore Zuncheddu, was also in the POW camp at Haswell House, Goathurst. He was captured in Tobruk, North Africa, and was shipped to Somerset for the remainder of the war. Whilst in the camp, he taught himself to speak, read and write English, knowing this would help integrate him in his unfamiliar surroundings.”

In scotland Giovanni Bellachioma also talk himself English writes Linda Bellachioma of Axbridge. “He made a ring from a silver coin she said as they had time on their hands. His friends also decorated the inside on a hut with plaster which they turned into a chapel. They were really amazed by the Scottish soldiers who wore kilts, but like many of his comrades they were moved to Somerset and was in a camp somewhere near Bridgwater.”

Like Salvatore Zuncheddu Giovanni settled in Somerset rather than return to an Italy damaged by the war. Linda Hocking said: “After the war dad was de-mobbed, and he was offered work and living accommodation with the Moxey family, who lived in Burtle. Dad saw this as a perfect opportunity to perhaps make a future for himself in England, together with his wife, Rosetta, who was still back home in Sardinia at that time.

“He brought my mother over from Sardinia to join him, and ‘Nan Moxey’ taught my mother to speak English. My mother was welcomed into the family and treated like a daughter and she recalls many happy memories of helping around the house, cooking, cleaning and with the harvesting (she especially loved the cherry picking season!).”

Her father took work on the local farm and became “one of the boys”. And like many Italian POWs turned Somersetonian and joined in the local community life – by joining the Burtle Silver Band playing the trumpet.

Mrs Hocking said: “Some years ago, the BBC interviewed my dad (commonly known as John) and if anyone ‘googles’ his name of Salvatore Zuncheddu, a brief transcript of the interview is detailed there. My parents remained in England for the remainder of their married life. Sadly, dad passed away, aged 89 years old, five years ago, on their Diamond Wedding Anniversary. My mum lives in Bridgwater and she still keeps in touch with the remaining members of the Moxey family.

“Coincidentally, my husband Chris Hocking, has done several weddings in recent years, at Halswell House, in his role as a wedding Toastmaster.”

Linda Hocking is too modest to mention that her husband is also one of the leading figures of the Bridgwater carnival scene presiding over this year’s squibbing in the High Street and is joint author of the book on the carnival, Remember, Remember with Roger Brown.

Do you have memories of POWs and wartime Somerset? Email harry.mottram@nqsw.co.uk