Arandora Star Memorial Day – 11 October 2026

Glasgow played host to a historic ceremony to mark Italy’s first National Day of Remembrance for the 442 Italians who perished when the Arandora Star sank.

The commemoration, organised by the Consolato Generale d’Italia a Edimburgo, the Consolato Onorario d’Italia a Glasgow, and Italian Scotland, was attended by the Lord Provost of Glasgow Jacqueline McLaren, and Professor Alessia Balan, the author of La nostra storia (Our Story), a book that gives a voice to victims who remained forgotten for so long.

The day began with Mass at St Andrew’s Cathedral followed by the laying of wreaths and a moment of reflection at the memorial dedicated to the victims, in the Italian Garden. Later there was a reception in Saints of Ingram at which Prof Balan’s new book on the Arandora Star was presented.

Among those present were relatives of some of the men who left Glasgow in June 1940 and never returned.

Remembering the victims of the Arandora Star means honouring their lives, their families and the memory of an entire community.

It was especially poignant to welcome visitors from all over the country to the world’s largest monument to the tragedy and to remember the late Rando Bertoia – the last survivor of the Arandora Star. He spent his life living and working quietly in Glasgow and was present when the Italian Cloister was opened.

The date of October 11 was chosen by the Italian Parliament for the new annual Day of Memory because it is the anniversary of Rando’s death.