Mitcham Advertiser, 19 August 1943

The Brothers Tortolano
MITCHAM SOLDIERS MEET IN EGYPT

Three Mitcham soldier brothers have recently met in Egypt after many months of campaigning in the Middle East. All had been lucky enough to keep out of the casualty lists up to that date, although they had been in some tight corners.

They are Bdr. Carlo Tortolano, aged 34, and Michael and Tony Tortolano, aged 28 and 27, both first-class fitters in the Army Service Corps. The bombardier is an official interpreter for the Italian prisoners of war. The brothers, all of whom are married, are sons of Mr. and Mrs. Tortolano, of 91, Commonside East, who have been in business in Mitcham for 36 years and were the only ice-cream merchants before the coming of the “Stop Me!” barrowmen.

The father of these boys was himself a British soldier in the previous world war and served in Egypt, too, most of the time in the Alexandria district. Mrs. Tortolano did not see him for three and a half years. Although of Italian origin, the family have been British-born for several generations, and have shown their British feeling in the best way. They formerly lived in Seaton and Portland Road, where Mrs. Tortolano had a general shop. Mr. Tortolano worked at the Gas Works.

The three brothers followed one another to Egypt, with Carlo, a reservist, leading before the war actually began. His fluency in the Italian language led to his appointment as interpreter soon after his arrival there. They all met in Alexandria. Michael and Tony had met months earlier, both being in the A.S.C. They were overcome with emotion, and their soldier mates were affected by the scene of reunion, too.

All three brothers, like their father, are noted sportsmen. Mr. Tortolano, sen., is a golfer of formidable skill and is a well-known figure on Mitcham Common. His eldest son, Carlo, was a familiar figure on the Common, too, as the children’s pleasure boat owner on the Seven Islands Pond. Carlo’s other title to local fame is as a first-class billiards player. Michael’s prowess in several sports was outshone by brother Tony’s more than local glory as a speed motor cyclist. His home is at 57, Commonside East.

All the brothers have separated again. The parting of Michael and Tony, who had been together through so much, was a great grief to them both, their mother told “The Advertiser.”

Their many friends in Mitcham wish them continued good luck.

Carlo Tortolano

Tony Tortolano

Michael Tortolano

Images created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD