Some time ago Eric Ford of New South Wales, Australia told us of the experience he had when first emigrating to Australia. This month we have re-published this event for our newly acquired readership.

"Suppoesedly boys grow up wanting to be Soldiers, Sailors or Train drivers. Girls wanted to be Nannies, Nurses or Ballet dancers. At least that's how it was when I was a boy in Drylaw, Edinburgh, Scotland. I wanted to be a Sailor and go to Australia. I couldn't be the type of sailor I wanted to be as I had colour defective vision so that left Australia.

Why Australia? Well My aunt and uncle went there when I was about 6. I said to them "I will come when I am big!" I did!.

I spent my school years firstly at Flora Stevenson Primary school then moved to Leith Academy for my secondary education. After leaving school I started an apprenticeship at JH Lamont--Brassfounders at the Gyle (now of course no longer there!) After two or so years I left and commenced 'Nurse' training. Another oddity for a boy from Drylaw, certainly in early 60's! I was determined that as soon as I qualified, I would go to Australia. I had constantly been an avid "OZiphile" and thought that I knew lots about it, as I discovered on arrival, I was not quite right in that!!!!

The process was not difficult but time consuming and almost "fidgety" but we made it and were accepted, 'we' being my wife and myself, as I had recently married. We sailed in early april '67 -- Not too many young men from Drylaw gave their wives a Halfway round the world cruise as a honeymoon -- and all for 20 pounds!!!! The trip was great, we stopped at places we'd only seen in films, the television or read about. Athens and the Parthenon, Port Said and Pyramids, Suez Canal then Aden. Aden at that time fighting Britian and we saw and heard the gunfire and explosions of what are now called "firefights"! Met a soldier from Yorkshire Light Infantry who told us that Scotland had beaten England at football, so Scotland, in our eyes were the best team in the world. (England had won the 'World Cup' the previous July). Then 10 days across the Indian Ocean. The absolute wonderment of seeing the "Real" sky at night, the awe of the rising and setting suns when a thousand miles from any land. Worth every bit of 20 pounds!!!

Then it was landfall at Fremantle West Australia. quite an emotional day for me. However the journey did not finish there, next day we sailed for Melbourne to disembark and set out for Adelaide which was to be our first home. That is where my aunt and uncle lived. On May Day 1967 we arrived at Adelaide Railway Station and were met by our "new "family."

Eric

(Article by Eric Ford, Australia)