Summary

School tie, part of the uniform for Acklam Hall Grammar School, Middlesbrough, Yorkshire, which belonged to James Ward when he attended this school circa 1935-1938. Acklam Halll opened in 1935 as a grammar school and later operated as a comprehensive school, known as Kings Manor School. James was the only one in his family to attend a grammar school. His son David won a scholarship to the same school and attended there until the family emigrated to Australia in 1961. James brought this school tie, along with his school cap and scout beret as memntoes when he migrated to Australia in 1961.

Acklam Hall is a Restoration mansion in the former village, and now suburb, of Acklam in Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire, England. It is a Grade I listed building. It was built by Sir William Hustler in 1683 in the contemporary fashionable style, showing some Dutch influence in the gables, now gone. It continued to house the Hustlers until the Hall and grounds, over 40 acres, were sold to Middlesbrough Corporation by the last owner Mostyn Hustler in 1928 for the sum of 11,500 pounds. Acklam Hall Secondary School opened in 1935. Since 1935 it has been in public ownership and was used as a grammar school with the addition of several modern buildings to the grounds. Middlesbrough College inherited the site and continued to use it as a college building. It is now owned by Middlesbrough College and Middlesbrough Council. and in 2011 plans were revealed to sell the hall to developers.

Part of a large collection of material relating to the migration and settlement of British migrants to Australia in the 1960s under the 'Bring Out a Briton' Scheme. It documents in particular both the migration experiences of James and Mary Ward and their three children who arrived in Melbourne on the 'TSS Stratheden' from Yorkshire in December 1961; and the Burke Road East Malvern Methodist Church's sponsorship of a number of English families, including the Wards, under the Scheme. The Church's support included temporary accommodation for assisted families in a neighbouring house. The 'Bring Out a Briton' Scheme (1957-1982) was part of a Commonwealth Government initiative which offered subsidised ship fares, accommodation and support to encourage migration from the UK to Australia after World War II.

Physical Description

Tie with diagonal bands of dark green and black separated with a fine white stripe, with a small white maker's tag on the back and owner's name written in black ink on this tag.

Significance

Statement of Significance:
The Ward/Barlow Families collection is of national significance in documenting British assisted migration to Australia post-World War II. The collection provides a comprehensive snapshot from the commencement to completion of a British assisted migration experience and illuminates post-war immigration policies and procedures which favoured British immigration into Australia.

The collection of almost 400 items comprises a unique body of documentation with intersections between personal, community and government narratives that explore British post-World War II assisted migration. It includes photographs, personal correspondence, documents and objects offering a rare glimpse into the role of the Australian and British governments, Methodists Church sponsorship and community engagement in assisting and welcoming British immigrants to Australia. Assisted British migration was a constant theme of Australian immigration history until the early 1980s. Government initiatives such as the 'Bring Out A Briton' scheme had an enormous impact on the composition and size of the Australian population, making the Ward/Barlow collection of broad social and political historical significance.

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