Billy Molloy, Assistant Engineer

"INVALUABLE HELP "

With the help of Des Hickey and Gus Smith's book, "The Star of Shame," and the following local people who gave invaluable information, I finally pieced the mystery together. Barney McDaid, Woodside, Carndonagh, whose initial interest and contact proved fruitful; Jackie Donaghey, Lough Swilly bus inspector, Millfield, Buncrana, gave a vital address; Danny Tully, Chapel Street, Carndonagh, was involved in coastal seawatch. I am also indebted to Cesare's nephew, Renato Bondonno, Surrey, England, and his niece, Mrs. Gloria Sheppard, Southall, Middlesex, whose letter, received on 26th September, 1991, finally answered all the questions I had asked down the years. Mrs. Sheppard supplied all the vital details about Cesare's family, his wife, Minnie, and son, Emilio, who were never to see him again after his abrupt interning; his brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews still living in England, Italy and Canada.

Herman and Marjorie Solf in the 1980's shortly before Herman's death

"CENTENARY MASS"

On November 2nd, 1991 (All Souls' Day) and Cesare's 100th birth date, he was remembered at a special Centenary memorial Mass, along with all the other deceased members of the Carndonagh parish. Cesare's friends and kinsfolk on the Arandora Star were also remembered for, as the then eminent British Lord Cecil said about the tragic event.. "What has taken place, with regard to these unhappy aliens, is one of the most discreditable incidents in the whole history of this country."

In Italy each year they remember them at the monument for the Arandora Star, erected in memory of those who lost their lives on that fateful morning on Tuesday, 2nd July, 1940, north-west of Malin Head.
There are still many in north Inishowen who remember the tragedy.