Summary
Photograph of Eileen and Tom Nevin with their grandchildren at their home in Heston, Middlesex, England, circa 1956. The baby on the left is Phillip Leech and the girl standing at the front is Susan Leech, whose parents Eileen and James had returned to England in 1956, having migrated to Australia in 1953.
James and Eileen Leech and their two and a half year old daughter Susan migrated from Manchester, England in November 1953 under the ten pound assisted migration scheme on the ship 'New Australia'. James, who had served with Australian soldiers during World War II was drawn to Australia while Eileen, with strong family ties, was reluctant to come. James was employed in his field as an optical mechanic and they lived in Sandringham and then Frankston. While James loved the new lifestyle, Eileen's homesickness led to depression and when she became pregnant, the family returned to England in January 1956 on medical advice. Eileen's mother loaned them the funds to relocate but James never fully recovered his disappointment at leaving Australia and the years living with Eileen's family while repaying the loan put a strain on the whole family. Eileen, who at one time had considered migrating to Australia, returned for the first time in 2014.
Description of Content
Elderly man and woman holding three babies and a female child standing in front, in an outdoor setting.
Physical Description
Black and white photograph
More Information
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Collecting Areas
Migration, Migration & Cultural Diversity, Home & Community, Images & Image Making
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Acquisition Information
Donation from Susan Blunden, 05 Jun 2014
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Related Person (See Comments)
Mrs Eileen Leech, Heston, Middlesex, England, 1956
Parent of two of the children. -
Related Person (See Comments)
Mr James Leech, Manchester, England, 1956
Parent of two of the children. -
Person Depicted
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Format
Photograph, Black & White
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Classification
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Category
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Discipline
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Type of item
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Keywords
English Immigration, British Immigration, Assisted Immigration, Shipping Lines, Shipboard Travel, Return Migration, Mental Health, Opticians, Children, Smoking Accessories, Souvenirs, Working Life, Naval Forces, Portraits, Weddings