Doris, Roy and Christopher Thomas

Story

Journey into the unknown via SS Chitral

Home town – Manchester, England & leaving behind my parents (Beatrice & Fred Boardman) & young brother, Peter. Many years later, Peter & wife Dorothy also migrated to Australia.

Destination Melbourne, Australia! After six weeks of sea life, we docked on the 29th February, 1952. A leap year. Roy Thomas (24), Doris Margaret (22) & 15 month old Christopher Robert James. Also with us was Roy\’s brother Ted, young son Barry & new wife Eileen.

When we docked at Perth earlier to allow West Aust. migrants to disembark, Roy & I had used what little money we had, so Roy\’s dad – can\’t remember now – sent us 10 pounds. Subsequently, we started life in Australian stoney broke & owing money. Thank goodness it was called the Lucky Country’.

Roy\’s mother, Florence, Dad, Joseph & sisters Ethel & Doris, had migrated two years before preceded two years before by older sister Mary. Mum & Dad\’s life was now complete. Having Ethel living at home meant they could accommodate only four of us so Chis & I went to Mary & Bill\’s home in Yallourn – a three hour drive. To see us, Roy would hitch-hike on Friday evening returning Sunday. He had secured a job with the Tax Dept. in Melbourne. Soon we were able to return to Mum & Dad\’s home as Ted & family had rented a flat. I got a job in an office, putting Chris into childcare. I gave birth to Sandra on 11th November, 1954. We bought a block at St Albans. It had the start of having a house built on it – two rooms! Water to the block but not the ‘house’. We had water for bathing & laundry in a large tin bath, using an immersion heater. We took turns bathing – youngest through to Roy. Julie was born Dec 5th, 1956. The rooms were really cramped now. Roy attached supports on the back wall for a single bed. It encroached 1/4 way over our double. Chis now had a comfortable place to sleep, Sandra in a cot & Julie in a carry cot (won by Chris in the UK for Champion Baby) supported on two chairs.

There were no roads or footpaths in this fledgling town, so winter shopping was quite a chore. Our block was the top of the street (where else?) so pushing or rather pulling a pram was a nightmare. Julie was IN the pram plus the groceries with Sandra sitting ON it. I carried a stick & every few yards scraped the mud from the wheels to be able to proceed.

We later sold & bought a block at Sunshine with a garage on it converted for living & the house frame already erected. Still only two rooms but much larger, with a small room attached outside as a laundry, etc. By now we had a old washing machine with ringer attached so laundry was a breeze, & a ramshackle car for Roy to get to work.

Roy\’s mother passed away & his Dad suggested we buy their place in Kingsville near Footscray, 1/2 an hour from Melbourne. He was going to live with Doris & Jack a few streets away. We did, selling up again. Although built to lock-up stage, only two rooms were lined.The girls slept on double bunks in what was to be the bathroom & Chris was in the laundry. We lived there for many years. All the children were married from there. It is only a short time ago that the girls told me what they used to get up to after being put to bed. Like climbing along the rafters, etc. The house & garden – complete with spa pool – were finished a few years later. When Julie started school, I applied for a job in the office of the local High school. I was there 26 years, only leaving because we, with Julie & husband Paul, decided to go into the hotel business.

Julie was divorced & remarried. Sandra was left a widow with three young children – Matthew, Brett & Tamara. Chris joined the army for 20 years & during that time married had three sons – Ashley, Jason & Scott. In June 1980 he was awarded the British Empire Medal for services to the ranks. Sandra remarried years later.

Regarding the hotel, we both sold our homes & bought a two-storey bluestone in a small town called Penshurst in the Western Victoria. There Julie gave birth to Mitchell. We stayed there six years but Julie & family were there a further 12 years. We bought a house – 3/4 hour drive from the hotel – in a small fishing village called Port Fairy, in walking distance of the beach – great when the seven grandchildren & eight great-grandchildren visit. I still live there, the last one standing of all those people – husbands & wives included who made the momentous journey , close to sixty years ago.

Roy passed away in August 1999 after battling cancer for 10 months & my beloved son four years later of a heart attack. The passing of Chris was so unexpected that the two girls & their families sold their homes & relocated to Port Fairy – which they had grown to love when visiting – but mainly I suspect, to keep an eye on Mum! (For which I am very Blessed!

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