Someone posted on the 15th Army Air Force Facebook page that he’d just found his grandfather’s Capri bell from WWII Italy. Several other people posted that they still had one a family member had brought home.
There was a legend with it.
Danny Wilson bought one when he first arrived in Italy. It was sent home with his effects from his base in Italy after he was declared MIA. His mother wore it on her watch for decades. Last I knew, Aunt Darlene had her mother’s watch, but no one knows what happened to it.
Photo of Leora Wilson wearing her watch with the little Capri bell fastened to it.
Danny Wilson was one of the three Wilson brothers lost during the War. The family story is told in Leora’s Letters: The Story of Love and Loss for an Iowa Family During World War II. My journey of research into what happened to the three brothers is told in What Leora Never Knew: A Granddaughter’s Quest for Answers.
[…] Danny did some sight-seeing in Naples and bought a small silver bell inscribed “Capri.” […]
Thank you for sharing, Joy. I love learning from you — the story of the Capri bell is so endearing. Xo! ❤️
Thank you, Vicki. I’m glad some of them are still around.
Me, too! ❤️
I hope the little bell shows up one day.
I do too! Thanks, GP.
I wonder if they still make them?
They just might, for souvenir seekers.
What a lovely story!! I’d never heard of the Capri bell.
Thank you, Liz. I never thought about other families still keeping one brought home from someone who’d served over there.
You’re welcome, Joy.
A beautiful story, Joy. Thank you for sharing it.
Thank you, John, and for sharing it on X!
Thank you for sharing the legend of the Capri Bell. What a precious photo of Leora wearing it. It’s unlikely the bell will be found, but stranger things have happened.
I’m afraid that whoever went through my aunt’s things didn’t know its significance. . . .
What a beautiful story of the Capri Bell, Joy! Tahnk you for sharing the legend with us. The photo of Leora wearing the bell is precious!
Thank you, Miriam. I’m so thankful for that photo of her!
Fascinating, Joy! Nice that guys got those bells during the war.
Thank you, Tim. Italy was devastated during the war, so someone figured out a way to make a little money!
Beautiful story!!! Thank you for sharing this with us!
Thanks, Linda!
The Capri bell was a wonderful little keepsake, especially since there was a legend about it. Hopefully, it will eventually be found. 🙂
Thanks for sharing this beautiful story, Joy.
Thank you, Lauren.