Looking back: The Italian workers who played a vital part in Peterborough’s story

Three years ago I approached the civic society and proposed that a blue plaque be erected in the city in dedication to the brick workers, including my father Antonio De Matteis, who emigrated to the UK from Italy in the 1950s and who were employed by The London Brickyard Company in Peterborough.

I believe it is important a blue plaque is erected honouring the outstanding contribution of these workers to the city’s economy. I also hope the plaque and associated information will help the younger generation understand the hardships and huge contributions made by these workers.

Britain faced immense problems with rebuilding the country after the ravages of the Second World War and desperately needed an expanded workforce. Much of this extra manpower came from overseas, many men arriving from various parts of Italy, in particular the south.

In 1951, at the tender age of 17, my father Antonio arrived in Peterborough, along with many other compatriots who had left their homes and loved ones behind to face the unknown to work in the brickyards.

My father was housed in the barracks in Sibson which at the time were a converted prisoner of war camp. Conditions were harsh, especially during the long bleak British winters as the barracks were made from corrugated steel, quite a contrast to what they had been used to back home in Italy.

Thoughts of home and their loved ones were a harsh reality and to ease the melancholy my father, alongside his co-workers, would engage in a game of cards or sing Neapolitan songs, passing the time before their next shift. Their enthusiasm, determination and dreams of a better future kept their spirits up.

My father cycled the 10 or so miles from Sibson to the Fletton pits every night for 23 years. He would recall how unfamiliar and dark the roads were on his way to work, with very little street lighting, thus making his journey perilous at times.

During their short break times he would share with his fellow workers huge Italian rolls, filled with familiar cooked meats and Italian homemade delicacies. For those who dared, there were hot chili peppers to try.

It was memories like this that helped my father continue working at the pits, striving to achieve his goal and provide for his family.

Working in the kilns was not an easy task as the dried bricks had to be fired or burnt in extreme heat to give them their final hardness.

However, my father persevered and eventually trained as a fork lift truck driver, also driving the company lorries. He was extremely dedicated to his job and never missed a day in 23 years.

As a family, we are immensely proud of my father and all he achieved from such a young age in an unfamiliar country.

Sadly, he passed away in November, 2019 leaving us with wonderful stories and memories he held close to his heart about his life and his very first job at the brickyards, stories which were passed on to his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

My family and I take great pride with the knowledge his stories will continue to live on through the generations. For all the brickyard workers, enormous gratitude. We will always remember them.