Gunn Family
.......................................
........................................
.......................................
.......................................
.......................................
.......................................
.......................................
.......................................
.......................................
.......................................
.......................................
.......................................
.......................................
.......................................
.......................................
.......................................
.......................................
.......................................
Ship's Voyage Logs
.......................................
.......................................
.......................................
Statistics about the Ship
.......................................
.......................................
.......................................
.......................................
.......................................
.......................................
Who Are They?
These photographs were taken on board the Asturias in November 1948, by Pat Piggott. His wife Irene (Rene) and son Michael are pictured with other passengers. If you can identify them, please let us know.
Lily, Linda and John Gunn
At Portland Beach
Passport Photo
Who Are They?
My Mum and Dad advised me in late 1951 that we would be moving to live in Australia. As a 10 year old I could not fully understand why. I went to school and told my teacher who proceeded to show me the Atlas and to tell all my class mates
I had a 4 year old sister Linda, and we lived with my grandmother, Auntie and Uncle in our house in Sutton Surrey. This was as a result of the shortage of available accommodation in the UK at the time after the war. Because they were slow movers my father could not put up with this inconvenience and the decision was made.
On the morning we left, Dad’s darts team member, who had his own taxis took us to the London rail station which took us to Southampton. I never saw my Nan again which was a tragic part of life as we were so close. We wrote very regularly.
On the ship I remember the first morning out in the Bay of Biscay. It was rough and obviously everybody was suffering from sea sickness and you could smell the eggs and bacon throughout the ship. Stopping in Malta the sea was very clear. I looked out of the porthole and dropped a marble in the water and saw in go all the way to the bottom….
I had a 4 year old sister Linda, and we lived with my grandmother, Auntie and Uncle in our house in Sutton Surrey. This was as a result of the shortage of available accommodation in the UK at the time after the war. Because they were slow movers my father could not put up with this inconvenience and the decision was made.
On the morning we left, Dad’s darts team member, who had his own taxis took us to the London rail station which took us to Southampton. I never saw my Nan again which was a tragic part of life as we were so close. We wrote very regularly.
On the ship I remember the first morning out in the Bay of Biscay. It was rough and obviously everybody was suffering from sea sickness and you could smell the eggs and bacon throughout the ship. Stopping in Malta the sea was very clear. I looked out of the porthole and dropped a marble in the water and saw in go all the way to the bottom….
John Jnr standing up, Lily and Linda
Asturias, Aug/Sep 1951
Asturias, Aug/Sep 1951
We went through the Suez Canal and stopped I think in Colombo and also stopped in Bombay India. My father hired a driver and car (Rolls Royce) and from my memory we were the only car on the road. There were people lying on the footpaths everywhere.
When we arrived in Fremantle my first observation was the pedal bikes with handle bars turned upside down. We arrived in Melbourne on a very hot day and the train – a red rattler with no air conditioning - was waiting for us at station pier, ready to take us to Bonegilla, where we spent 2 weeks.
Then we were transferred to the British migrant camp at Williamstown Racecourse. I went to the local school at Williamstown where we very readily accepted. We made instant friends with Keelers, Mynotts, Bullocks and Gooseys. Brian Mynott played in the ruck for St Kilda’s only premiership football win in 1966.
My mum Lily died suddenly in 1964, but my Dad John is still alive at nearly 101. I have now been back to the UK numerous times and I can confidently say this is the best country in the world. I played cricket with Caulfield and Donvale over many years as well as Lacrosse.
My Mum and Dad’s decision in 1951 was brave and gallant and we are very grateful. I would not have met my dear wife Patricia, who also came to Australia on the SS Asturias in 1948. We have three children and two granddaughters.
John Gunn, Melbourne
2013
When we arrived in Fremantle my first observation was the pedal bikes with handle bars turned upside down. We arrived in Melbourne on a very hot day and the train – a red rattler with no air conditioning - was waiting for us at station pier, ready to take us to Bonegilla, where we spent 2 weeks.
Then we were transferred to the British migrant camp at Williamstown Racecourse. I went to the local school at Williamstown where we very readily accepted. We made instant friends with Keelers, Mynotts, Bullocks and Gooseys. Brian Mynott played in the ruck for St Kilda’s only premiership football win in 1966.
My mum Lily died suddenly in 1964, but my Dad John is still alive at nearly 101. I have now been back to the UK numerous times and I can confidently say this is the best country in the world. I played cricket with Caulfield and Donvale over many years as well as Lacrosse.
My Mum and Dad’s decision in 1951 was brave and gallant and we are very grateful. I would not have met my dear wife Patricia, who also came to Australia on the SS Asturias in 1948. We have three children and two granddaughters.
John Gunn, Melbourne
2013
Lily, Linda and John Gunn
R: Linda and John Gunn
John Jnr, Linda and John Gunn
"Arthur"