My Italian Grandfather by Melita Rowe
Melita
Rowe was born in Rapallo in North West Italy and in her film she explores her family history. Her grandfather, prior to fighting in the First World War, worked as both a marble sculptor and as a station master. It was while working as a station master that he met Melita’s grandmother who came from Germany and was on the Grand Tour. She asked Melita's grandfather to recommend a hotel for the night and that is how their love story began. Melita's mother was only eight years old when her father, Melita's grandfather, was killed in the war.
Melita made her film at the digital stories course that was held at Stoke Lodge. She is pictured here with her son.
Film: This French newsreel from November 1917 was filmed in northern Italy and includes scenes of M Paul Painlevé, the French War Minister, returning from the Interallied Conference at Rapallo and calling at Brescia to talk with French and Italian soldiers. © IWM (IWM 508-37)