Summary
Photograph of James Leech standing on the water's edge, possibly in Frankston, Melbourne, circa 1954. James had migrated with his wife Eileen and daughter Susan Leech to Melbourne from England in 1953 and they returned to England in 1956.
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
Man wearing suit standing on path, water and horizon in background.
Physical Description
Black and white photograph
More Information
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Collecting Areas
Migration, Migration & Cultural Diversity, Home & Community, Images & Image Making, Childhood
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Acquisition Information
Donation from Susan Blunden, 05 Jun 2014
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Related Person (See Comments)
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Person Depicted
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Format
Photograph, Black & White
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Classification
Migration, Settlement - first home & family, Family portraits
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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, Backyards, Tricycles, Piers