Letter from W.R. Jackett, to Ruggerio [sic] Bacci, October 3, 1940

This typewritten letter was sent by W.R. Jackett, Advisory Committee, Deputy Minister of Justice, to Ruggero Bacci c/o Camp Petawawa, on October 3, 1940.

The letter informs Bacci that the decision of the Committee, who reviewed his appeal, is to continue his internment. Under the the DOCR (Defence of Canada Regulations), after 30 days, internees could formally object to their detention to an advisory committee appointed by the Minister of Justice. The Minister of Justice then appointed a judge to review the internee’s case. This meant an examination of the RCMP’s evidence against the internee, meetings with the internee, and interviews with witnesses who could attest to the internee’s character. After this, the judge either recommended an internee’s release or continued internment to the Minister of Justice.

Bacci was interned for almost three years. In his absence, his wife Erminia (Minnie) suffered a serious nervous breakdown and was hospitalized at length. Bacci's oldest son Aldo was forced to quit high school to help support the family. When his father was released and returned home, Aldo received notice that he was conscripted into the Canadian Army; however, he did not serve overseas.