Summary

Digital photograph of a family group at the wedding of James Ward and Mary Needham on 23 June 1945 at St Wilfred's Anglican Church, Scrooby Top, Nottinghamshire, England. People (from left to right): James Ward senior, Winifred [?], Elizabeth Ward, Arthur Needham, James Ward jnr., Mary Ward (Needham), Phyllis Needham, Walter Needham, Eva Needham, Lily Needham, Eva Ward. One of 84 digital photographs relating to the Ward family migration experience including their life in England, their voyage in 1961 to Australia and their settlement in Melbourne.

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.Photog

Description of Content

Group of eleven people, four men and seven women, standing together in a line posed for a formal wedding photo on the lawn in front of the stone wall and doorway of a church, with window and buttresses showing. The bridegroom, fifth from left, is in his Royal Air Force uniform. His best man, fourth from left, is in his Navy uniform. The bride is wearing a white lace-covered dress with a veil at the back and holding a large bouquet of flowers and the two bridesmaids and flower girl have white satin dresses, floral headbands and small bouquets. The fathers are wearing dark suits and ties and the mothers have hats and calf-length dresses and one has a dark belted overcoat on top. The young woman at the right is not wearing a hat and has an overcoat over a blouse and skirt. To one side in the background a cap and coat are draped over a stone slab, presumably a grave headstone.

Physical Description

Digital photograph.

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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