Armands Laula
| First name | Armands |
|---|---|
| Last name | Laula |
| Country of Origin | Latvia |
| Date of Birth | 4.3.1926 |
| Year of Arrival in Australia | 1947 |
| Submitted by | Armands Laula |
Story
In 1944 Latvia was occupied by Germany. In autumn 1944 when the German army was retreating from Russia through Latvia they took me with them to Germany.
My journey to Australia started in a Displaced Persons camp in Rotenburg, Germany where in 1947 Immigration officials from Australia arrived and invited us to migrate to Australia. I took the opportunity to leave the war damaged Germany and start a new life. I was selected to go on the very first migrant ship from Europe on the ship called General Stuart Heintzelman, which was ex American troop carrier. We left German Port of Bremenhafen and travelled through Gibraltar, Mediteranean, Suez Canal, stopped at Colombo in Ceylon and arrived in Fremantle on 28 November 1947. The whole trip was very pleasant. The ship was fairly new and clean, food seemed excellent especially compared with the poor quality food we used to have in Germany. On the ship there were English language classes. I did not attend them because I had some knowledge of English from my high school days. Even when we were occupied by Germany in schools we were taught English.
At that age all I seem to notice was the good things in Australia. I took up accountancy studies, became a member of Australian Society of Accountants. Worked as an accountant, later years as an accountant/company secretary until my retirement in 1991.