Monte San Martino Trust (header idea 2)
Providing education opportunities to young Brits and Italians in recognition of the courage and sacrifice of the Italian country people who rescued thousands of escaping Allied PoWs after the Armistice in 1943.
Celebrating bravery
Quick links
News
Students
Research
Videos
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Audacious escapes
Letitia Blake attended the launch of Karen Farrington’ s book, The Great Italian Breakout, which brings stories of resilience and resourcefulness to a wider audience.
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Isabella Insolvibile, Allied Prisoners of War in Italy, 1940–1943
Malcolm Gaskill reviews a book by Isabella Insolvibile that lays bare the shortcomings of the Italian state in its treatment of Allied prisoners of war. Translated by Andrea Hajek (Palgrave Macmillan, 2026)
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A family story comes full circle
A brave Italian family, an unidentified US airman, and the research that unmasked him and led to his granddaughter visiting his helper’s descendants. Anne Copley puts the jigsaw together.
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Debunking myths
A ground-breaking history of Italy’s PoW camps, by Isabella Insolvibile, can now be read in English – ‘Allied Prisoners of War in Italy 1940-1943’. John Simkins went to the book launch.
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PoW memories alive in Puglia
Ruth Murphy finds her research on Allied imprisonment in Italy taking concrete form at a conference in Bari and Altamura in February.
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Italian family histories brought to light in NARA files
The opening-up of the files of the Allied Screening Commission at the American National Archives (NARA) has helped create an explosion in grassroots research by Italians into the history of helpers in their area, together with some emotional reunions between the families on both sides of the story. One example is the research undertaken by…
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A request for help on Tuscan villages
Caroline Moorehead (the author of Iris Origo, A Bold and Dangerous Family and Dancing to the Precipice, to name just three of her excellent books), is appealing for help in connection with her current work. She is writing a book about the Tuscan villages of Civitella, San Pancrazio, Cornia and Gebbia and is trying to…
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From student to teacher – my story
Emanuele, a dedicated student from Italy, receives groundbreaking news of a scholarship from the Monte San Martino Trust, enabling him to study in Oxford. This opportunity transforms his life, increasing confidence through cultural exchanges and teaching experiences. Ultimately, he aspires to give back, continuing the cycle of kindness and learning.
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A Visit to Campo PG 53
Janet Kinrade Dethick writes about the historical significance of a prisoner of war camp for Allies in Sforzacosta, Italy, established during 1941-2. Confusion over its naming is noted, as well as concerns about its preservation. A recent visit by families of former prisoners highlighted the camp’s history and the need for public interest to secure…
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On the trail of my father – Over Sand and Snow
We are delighted to share with you the story of escapee Arthur Dodds. Painstakingly researched by his son John, a loyal MSMT supporter.
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Join our students
The Trust partners with schools in Sulmona, Castel di Sangro, L’Aquila, Parma, Fontanellato, and Macerata, Fermo, and Amandola in the Marche. Students from areas like Rome may learn about the Trust through word-of-mouth or the website.
Giulia Mattioli
Oxford 2018
Student 4Travel chief
Some of our students
Chiara Campanale
Student 5Travel Editor
Marie Martin
Student 6 Tour Guide
Meet Nermina
“I must say that it was one of the most amazing experiences in my entire life. It largely enriched me, not only from a cultural point of view thanks to the excellent lessons of the English course, but also for many other aspects, starting with meeting a fabulous host family that made me feel home since the first day, cultivating new friendships with people from all around the world (now I have a friend from Mexico, isn’t it crazy?) and visiting a lot of interesting places…
one-off
Donate to our work with a single donation
- One free ticket per special exhibition
- Two single-use guest passes per year
regular
Support us regularly
- General admission and member discounts for two adult
- Four free ticket per special exhibition
- Four single-use guest passes per year
TRust sponsor
Sponsor some of our larger projects
- General admission and member discounts for two adult
- Five free ticket per special exhibition
- Five single-use guest passes per year
Our online archive
The memoirs of Allied servicemen on the run in wartime Italy, accounts of the brave Italians who hid them, and information about the PoW camps are all to be found in the Trust’s invaluable archive.
Get updates on the trust’s events, projects and book releases
