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Oral history recording in English with Antonio Marchesi. Recorded as part of the Italian Memories in Wales project (2008-10), delivered by ACLI-ENAIP and funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Part 3 of 6 (AV 11426-11431).

00:00:01 As a result from working in the tinplate industry Antonio was able to bring his family over to Wales. In the first years they lived in a cottage without lighting or gas, when their second daughter was born. They then bought the house where they have lived to this day. Antonio worked for a number of years in the mines which he enjoyed. Unfortunately due to health problems he had to stop and started working a factory. ‘All emigrants leave with a dream, with a suitcase full of dreams that are very very difficult to realise’ is the phrase that Antonio uses to express his aspirations and his dream to be able to work in Britain for a few years, save some money and then return to Italy. However, this dream remained in that suitcase and never came true. But, overcoming the difficulties they faced, his family managed to succeed and integrate into the Welsh community.

00:23:29 When the interviewer asks Antonio to talk about his journey to Britain he remembers going to Milan, and then, after the first selection, they took him to London. He explains how difficult it was getting used to the food; completely different to the food he was used to in Sardinia, but with time he managed to get used to eggs for breakfast and tea with milk.