"Bendigo" 1929 ship to Qld Aust

[bates]

Thankyou for your help

His name was James E Macauley
born 1915 Accrington Lanc Eng
came to Brisbane Australia (13 April 1930) on Bendigo
possibly went to Toowoomba before heading north
lived with the Keune family near Eidsvold
Married into the family in 1935 

I am seeking information about the voyage to Australia from somewhere in England on the Bendigo

and what he might have expected/promised on arrival in a new place with no family. 

[aghadowey]

Don't forget the Great Depression which started in 1929 (24 Oct.1929 New York stock exchange was the start but other conutries soon affected). Even after WWI there seemed to be a shortage of jobs in U.K. as surviving soldiers started returning home. Land was supposed to be cheaper in Australia, job plentiful, etc. so many moved there to start a new life.

[EDO]

Good morning BATES

You might find some value on the following pages -

Could not find your Macauley, but, KEUNE is there

Don't be too specific with your enquiry ..................

EDO

http://www.findmypast.com/home.jsp

[Rochdalian]

Hi Tanya

Just did a search on National Archives of Australia (NAA) for your man and I think I found him.

http://www.naa.gov.au/collection/recordsearch.aspx

Click on 'Search Now', type in James Macauley (forget the 'E' it didn't work) and you will find what I think is him 16th hit on the list.  He appears to have served  in the Construction Corps in WW2.  If you want to buy his records click on his underlined name then 'Request Copy'.  I don't know if you are in OZ or not but it costs A$16.50 to get a copy posted on the NAA site that you can download.

Hope this helps

Bob

[bates]

I had a look on that NAA site - and it has him - I have some of the documents from when he worked in the construction corps.  It also had his father when his father came to Australia to visit.  Mum even remembers his visit. 

I will spend a bit more time on that findmypast site.  Never know what I might find.

I think that my grandfather moved because his father remarried and he didn't like his step brother or the new baby sister. 

I would still like to know how a 15-16 year old finds out about coming to Australia and where he might have boarded the ship.

[Rochdalian]

Hi Tanya
Below is a description of the ship taken from 'The Ships List' site.


BENDIGO 1922
The BENDIGO was a 13,039 gross ton ship built by Harland & Wolff, Greenock in 1922 for P.& O. Line. Her details were - length 519.8ft x beam 64.2ft (158,42m x 19,56m), one funnel, two masts, twin screw and a speed of 13 knots. There was accommodation for 491-3rd class passengers plus 743 temporary berths. Launched on 26th Jan.1922, she commenced service from UK to Australia via the Cape in August of that year. Re-engined and converted from coal to oil fuel in 1929 which gave her a speed of 15 knots. Resumed service from UK to Australia via Malta, Suez and Colombo on 5th Jul.1929 and started her final sailing to Australia on 17th Jan.1936. She was scrapped at Barrow-in-Furness the same year. [Merchant Fleets by Duncan Haws, vol.1, P.& O, Orient and Blue Anchor Lines]

Also if you want a picture try the site below.

http://www.simplonpc.co.uk/PO_Liners3.html

In my experience the majority of P & O voyages left from London, it could however be Soton or Liverpool.  You may want to take up Ruskie's offer to search the records in Brisbane or wait until they finish digitising the next decade of passenger lists on findmypast.

EDIT: just had a look the 20's are on there now



Bob

[bates]

that is some very interesting information.  it is amazing to see the conditions they travelled in.....

the naa site definitely states the date of arrival in brisbane as the 13 April 1930.

would the records indicate if he was an indentured servant??

I have discovered that he didn't like toowoomba and he moved with the OPPERMAN family up the north coast.

I guess the next step might be looking for electoral roll information?

many thanks

[EDO]

He possibly left England in 1928 and arrived in Brisbane in 1929.

The sea journey took over 6 weeks at that time.

EDO