Notes John arrived in Fremantle, Western Australia in a party of 25 children bound for the Fairbridge Farm School, Pinjarra. Three of his siblings arrived in 1934 aboard Moreton Bay.
The West Australian, Tuesday 15 November 1938
CHILDREN FOR FAIRBRIDGE.
Scarcely able to suppress their excitement, and obviously very keen at the prospect of making their homes in Australia, a party of 16 boys and nine girls, bound for the Fairbridge Farm School, Pinjarra, arrived at Fremantle by the liner Themistocles yesterday. The children were drawn from various parts of England and Scotland and their ages ranged from eight to 13 years. Before leaving England they spent several months in one of the Fairbridge hostels, where they were given some preliminary training to help them in their new environment. The party was under the care of Miss Missingham, a former Fairbridge worker, who has been in England for the past 12 months, and who is now returning to Pinjarra. Assisting her on the voyage were Mrs. A. L. McClemans, of Mt. Lawley, and Mr. G. Topp, of Melbourne. "I am from Cardiff," said one bright-eyed little girl, nursing a doll, which she had won in deck games on the vessel. "The passengers were very generous," said Miss Missingham, "in giving prizes for the various competitions on the way out." Few of the children were troubled with seasickness, and all arrived thoroughly fit. Several of the boys said that they were going to be farmers, though some of them had lived all their lives in the heart of London. They evidently relished the thought of living in the country. The girls will be instructed at Fairbridge in domestic science. "I'd like to stay on the boat," said one little girl. "We've all had such a lovely trip."
(Source: NLA Trove newspapers)