Ieuan talks to Natalie Donovan of BBC Radio Wales
Ieuan, from Merthyr and pictured above with his son Alun, was guest of honour at a ceremony in Liverpool on 2 July 2008 to commemorate those who died on board the vessel, which had sailed from the city.
When Italy entered World War Two in 1940, Italian men living in the UK - including those whose families owned cafes in the south Wales valleys - were branded by the authorities as enemy aliens.
They were interned at camps across the UK and the Isle of Man. When their numbers grew too big, Commonwealth countries overseas agreed to take some.
On 1 July 1940, the Arandora Star (a converted cruise liner) left Liverpool with 800 Italian internees aboard, bound for Canada.
During the first night, she was torpedoed by a U-boat off Ireland, and sunk with 446 Italian men lost, along with many British troops and German prisoners of war.
Mr Jones is the only known surviving crew member. A Merchant Seaman at the time, he spent 12 hours in the sea off Ireland before being rescued.
Of the Italian victims, nearly 50 were from the small town of Bardi - many were expats living in South Wales, some from the Aberdare area.
A memorial chapel to the victims was built in Bardi Cemetery, and the Cwmbach Male Choir joined the Mayor and members of the Arandora Star Victims Association for a Mass and commemorative service in the Italian town.
The choir conveyed a message from the Mayor of Bardi to the Mayor of Liverpool about the commemorations, and was invited to sing at the ceremony which was being held as part of the 2008 City of Culture programme.
The choir also sang on board a "Ferry 'cross the Mersey" as a wreath was laid in honour of the victims.
your comments
June Markwell, Hartlepool
I first wrote about Arandora Star in 1994, when I compiled the history of Seaton Carew. Domenico Pontone, owner of the Cafe Royal on the Front at Seaton Carew, lost his life. His son Barney travelled on a different ship to Canada. Two other sons served in HM Forces. Later in 2002 a further account was written including 12 others from Teesside. This month a memorial has been unveiled at Middlesbrough Town Hall. I will be happy to forward a copy of the story so far. I have the full list of all Italians who lost their lives at this time, courtesy of Peter Nardone's grandson, Antonio Nardone.
Mia Sampietro, Lewes
My father Emilio Sampietro was an Italian internee of the Arandora Star. He was one of the survivors. He helped two other internees and friends. One of them could not swim but survived because my father kept him afloat. They were in the water for 8 hours before being rescued. He was a brave man ... and I thank him for that. Without his survival I wouldn't be here today. Sadly he passed in 1991 at 86 years of age.
Frank Rea, Newcastle-upon-Tyne
I have noticed my family's name on the plaque which was commemorated to some of the victims. I am wondering whether they are related. One of the names was Domenico Rea. I think Teesside was mentioned. I know we had relations there and all over the country.
Maria Klefenz from Ebbw Vale
My grandfather Antonio (Tom) Dallanegra was aboard the Arandora Star. He survived in the water clinging on to a piece of wood for six or eight hours. After being rescued he was put on the Dunera and sent for internment in Australia. He was at the Tatura internment camp. (My father was called up in the British army.)
Pat Hunt from Bray, Co Wicklow, Ireland
My uncle, Jim Hunt, from Powellsboro, Tubbercurry, Co Sligo, was a steward on the Arandora Star. He survived and had to endure another sinking when the SS Rangitane was ambushed and sunk by German surface raiders some 300 miles off the coast of New Zealand in November 1941, barely five months after the Arandora Star disaster.
Lara Basini, Bristol
I would love to know anything about the ship that my grandfather was on. My grandfather was Berthalomew Basini and I feel very sad that we never got to meet!
Raffaello (Ralph) Gonnella
My (nonno) Grandfather Quinto Santini died aboard the Arandora Star - I have loads of information, articles, DVD and Video of various documentaries (inc 'Una Tragedia Dimenticata') I am a friend of the author Maria Serena Balestracci who is mainly responsible for the resurgence in the awarenes of The Arandora Star and attended events in Lucca and liverpool........
Peter Ruffoni from SE London
My grand father Giovanni Ruffoni lost his life aboard the ship. He left behind in London his wife, 3 sons and a daughter. He and my grandmother came from Lake Maggiore after World War One to make a new life in England.
Linda Cavalli, Wokingham
My grandfather Giovanni Cavalli was on the Arandora Star, he did not survive. Like most of the relatives left behind, my grandmother Maria found out through the newspapers at the time.
Andrea Terroni
My grandfather was on the Arandora Star and survived. He was then sent to Australia - is there a list of survivors? I am looking for any information. My grandfather was called Andrea Terroni - my father was sent to the Isle of Man.
James Lucas from London
A German relative of mine was anti-Nazi but was interned as a security threat. He survived the sinking of the Arandora Star only to be deported on board the Dunera to Australia. I have learned about his story for the first time earlier this year, and would be most grateful if anyone can help me to locate a TV documentary about the book 'Una Tragedia Dimenticata' shown on Italian (Tuscany) TV in September 2004. I would also very much like to view 'Destination Scotland' which was screened on BBC2 Scotland on 29/05/05.
Philip Roberts from Llanelli
My father's name is John Roberts and he survived. He's 87 and I would like to know if there is reunion of all the survivors.
Annette Morgan, Mountain Ash
My uncle Henry George Brocklebank (Brockie) went down with the Arandora Star in 1940. He was also a military guard in the Welch regiment. All I know is he sailed out of Liverpool, never to come home.
Diane Rossell from Fareham, Hants
My father John Roberts who is 87 is also a survivor. He was a military escort serving with the Fourth Welsh Regiment. He remembers vividly how after going below deck having finished guard duty, he felt the explosion. He ran up deck and heard a sailor shout to him "if you can swim Taff, jump!". He has very little memory of what happened next until he was lifted into a lifeboat. He remembers with sadness to this day that six of his fellow guards from the 4th Welsh perished. After this my dad was posted to 5th Welsh in Northern Ireland. In 1943 he volunteered for the RMP and served in the Western desert completing his war service in Cairo. After the war he returned home to LLanelli in south Wales where he is still living.
Maureen Coombes, Dorset
A Member of The Devonshire and Dorset Regimental Association, Mr Alf Finch from Sherborne, Dorset, is now 92. He was one of the Military Guard and spent many hours in the water before being rescued by the Canadian Destroyer The St Laurent. He has allowed me to write his story and will be very interested to hear the details of the memorial day.
Patrizia Spitoni and Modesta Stewart, Glasgow
My sister and I attended the ceremony in Liverpool on 2 July 2008 to commemorate those who died when the ship was sunk in 1940 as our grandfather Donato Crolla was one of the internees who perished on that fateful day. We were privileged to meet Mr Morgan-Jones and the last known surviving Italian internee, Rando Bertoia. The whole day was filled with poignancy and comfort for an almost forgotten tragedy. We would like to express our heartfelt thanks to the Cwmbach Male Choir whose presence and singing was much appreciated throughout the day.
