Dear Doug, I've transcribed the following from a newspaper article written by my Grandmother's first cousin, Hilderic Robin DE GRUCHY (b 1899 Hastings- abt 1973 Australia). Sorry I don't know when it was published or where but perhaps it will help. Cheers, Joanne Joanne Mays Becker Sleepy Hollow, New York Land of Milk and Honey? After the first World War (1914-1918) I was in the 4th East Surrey Regiment, and served in France, Belgium and Germany, mostly occupational work. I served from 1918-1921. When I got my discharge from the Army in England there was a big depression there and I was unable to get any kind of a job. My family kept me and so, when the government said that there was a plan to enable young men (who passed the physical test) to go to Australia, and offering government jobs over there so that the government would be repaid for the trip, I felt I should go to Australia, the land of milk and honey. I sailed then on the ship SS "Deogenes" via the Cape. It took two months to get there. The ship was coal driven. I remember very well arriving in Melbourne, and there was a police strike on. Although it only lasted a few hours, it caused much damage, big stores were looted and thousands of pounds worth of jewellery and clothes were stolen: not a pleasant way to be welcomed to a new land. In Melbourne I was sent to various farms for 10s. a week and my board and lodging. After I had repaid the government for the trip (which took two years) I was on my own, in a worse depression than I had left in England. I could not get any work at all. Unemployed men hitch-hiked from town to town. We would do anything for a meal, such as cutting wood, and odd jobs. We lived on rations given out by the government. It was no better until 1939 when, on account of the World War Two, there was the making of munitions, etc. >From then on I was able to make a living in construction work, etc. I never married, and I never owned a home. But I'm lucky to be alive and in pretty good health at 73 years old. For years I was moving around so much I had no permanent address. With things as they were, I did not keep in touch with my relatives, but my sister in America tried to locate me through the Red Cross, Salvation Army, and Masonic Fraternity, but could not do so. However, I finally wrote to the Lord Mayor of Hastings and asked him to locate my family. He found my brother who had worked for the "Hastings Observer" for many years as an engineer. They were so happy to be able to get in touch with me after so long. I was able to return to England for a visit which I enjoyed very much. I get the old age pension and I now paint and draw as a hobby, which I always wanted to do. My advice for anyone wanting to come to Australia is, be prepared to work hard, and perhaps you will get the milk and honey. Anyway, it is a beautiful country. In a message dated 3/11/2008 6:50:40 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, dugbar38@bigpond.com writes: Hello Listers, My father was one of the young men who left England in 1923, bound for a new life in Australia. He was pennyless and had only the clothes he wore. He must have had assistance from one of the organisations such as Big Brother or Bar nardos Society or another that organised his passage, someone to greet him on arrival and direct him to his new employer. I have been unable to locate any information as to where he got assistance. The ships passenger list does not indicate him as an assisted migrant so somewhere there is legal paperwork on his movements. I am open to suggestions as to where these documents might be found whether in England or Australia. Thanks in anticipation, Douglas Eldridge **************It's Tax Time! Get tips, forms, and advice on AOL Money & Finance. (http://money.aol.com/tax?NCID=aolprf00030000000001)