Summary

Letter from John Ash, General Manager of the Commonwealth Bank Note Printing Branch Fitzroy, to Archibald Gordon Maclaurin, dated 4 May 1928. The letter is in regards to Archie's employment and immediate settlement. Ash offers advice regarding 'getting on' in Australia - never let your guard down, put a good face on everything - and refers to a W Beveridge, who who appears to be Archie's prospective employer. Ash speaks well of Beveridge and explains he will set Archie up with a new machine and the union. Ash appears to be a migrant from England himself and refers to his wife's impending arrival, he also offers to put Archie up till he finds his feet.

Archie was born in 1904 in Westham London. He trained as a printer and sought work in Australia as there were few opportunities in England; he migrated on the 'Jervis Bay' in 1928. Before migrating he commenced negotiations with the general manager of the Commonwealth Bank Note Printing Branch Fitzroy, who assisted Maclaurin in securing employment at McLaren & Co Pty Ltd Colour Printers in Fitzroy. He then moved to Spicers & Depmont Printers and Stationers before an opening came up for a machinist at the Note Printing Branch, where he worked for 32 years.

He married Constance Duffell in 1934, who had migrated from England on the 'Narkunda' with her parents and brother in 1927. Her father and brother worked for the Note Printing Branch which facilitated their meeting. They had two children, Roger and Jocelyn and lived all their lives in Essendon.

Physical Description

Two sided hand written letter on ruled paper to Maclaurin from John Ash, Commonwealth Bank of Australia Bank Note and Security Dept, Fitzroy, Melbourne, dated 4 May 1928.

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