Patrick Goes Home To Derry
A Personal Story from an Ex-Resident
Patrick (Peanuts) Ward returned to his place of birth in Northern Ireland in 1999 -- 46 years after he left for Western Australia aboard the New Australia at the age of nine. It was to provide an opportunity to reconnect with memories of a distant childhood and, hopefully, to track down some family members he had never known. The search for family connection began in earnest in 1994, upon which Patrick made a surprising discovery.
Patrick was born in Derry in Northern Ireland in 1944. How mother, Agnes Ward, was a single mother and unable to look after him on her own. So he was placed in the care of the Nazareth House Sisters at Termonbacca. Patrick can remember little of his earliest days but he does recall several visits of his mother to the home. He was aged about nine when he was sent out from Britain on the New Austrlia, arriving in Western Australia in 1953.
Patrick was placed first at Castledare and then, after several months, at Clontarf. Of the various jobs he was given to do at Clontarf, he best recalls work in the piggery and also the many days in the bush ripping down trees in land clearance activity.
Patrick hated sports at Clontarf - he couldn't kick and Aussie Rules football! However, he did love boating and the best memory for him there was messing around on the river with his mates. The boys were always going into the parts of the river that were out of bounds to them. To some extent it was expected, and he recalls one brother saying that if they weren't getting up to mischief then they weren't being real boys.
Life After Clontarf
Patrick left Clontarf in 1960. He couldn't settle, drifting from job to job around Perth, often in tractor and other machinery assembly employment. He regrets never having obtained an apprenticeship. There were opportunities, he says, but he was then "too young and stupid" to appreciate the importance of acquiring a skilled trade.
Towards the end of 1996, Patrick went to live in the north-west of the state, first at Port Hedland, then Karratha. There he worked in earth-moving and general transport, returning to Perth in 1990.
Patrick had tried to find out about his family of origin at the time of leaving Clontarf but in reply to his questioning he was told that "anything could have happened to them in the War" and no help was given.
A Surprise Discovery
Patrick's mother was found, not in Britain or even Northern Ireland, but in Lismore, NSW -- here in Australia! Agnes Ward had migrated to Oz in the 1960's, had been married without children and was now widowed.
First notes and cards were exchanged and then there were telephone conversations. Patrick and his mother were reunited over a long weekend at the end of 1994 and he freely admits that both of the "shed many tears" on that sad, happy occasion of their meeting.
Making Up for Lost Time
The following year Patrick's mother paid a visit to Western Australia and stayed with him for the Christmas of 1995.
This second meeting was a much easier experience for the both of them. Indeed, they found that they got on together very well despite the many lost years in their relationship. Patrick had learned from his mother that she had been out of touch with relative in Derry since 1960.
Family Connections
In 1999 Patrick resolved to make a journey to the place of his birth and early childhood and to stop to see his mother for a third time on his return to Australia. He would also do what he could to seek out family in Northern Ireland. His resolution was realised when this year he travelled to Northern Ireland and the Republic for three weeks, finishing off with a week's stay with his mother in Lismore.
While in Derry, Patrick went on local Radio Foy appealing for information on Ward family members.
His initiative was richly rewarded and though this radio appearance he was introduced to several cousins, Violet, John, Des, and Billy, staying by invitation in the homes of John, and then Billy. He felt very wermly welcomed by all these new-found relatives and their families. He learned also that there are several other cousins living over in England.
Kindness and Gratitude
Patrick cannot speak too highly of the kindness and politeness of the Irish people as a whole, both North and South of the political border.
This kindness was tested when he lost his ticket and had to be helped to arrange a replacement. (He advises fellow reunification travellers to keep a careful hold of all their documents!)
He met Carmlite Fathers at Termonbacca while staying at the old orphanage -- now a retreat house, and the nuns at Nazareth House in Derry where he had attended school. The nuns at Nazareth House in Dublin, which he visited also, were "simply magic!" They could not do enough to help him.
There was however, a downside to the magnificent hospitality, which manifested around his waistline! For Patrick had found he had put on a stone in weight on his trip.
He expresses gratitude also to Sister Noeleen of the Family Care Society of Norther Ireland, who met him at Belfast Airport and helped him fix accomodation in the several Catholic establishments. His intention is to post notes of appreciation to these kind folk.
But, he says he is left puzzled as to why such generous and friendly people as he found the Irish to be, can't make a lasting peace in their own country.
Integrating the Experience
Patrick says that the rich experiences of his homeward journey are "still sinking in". All in all this was a highly successful trip. His sense of having Irish roots has been strengthed and become "more definite".
Ireland is a "picture country", he says, a truly "beautiful place".
Finding and meeting his cousins was "a bonus" but this discovery entailed sadness too at the "lost years" and the small prospect of never seeing them again.
Nonetheless he has begun regular phone contact with his new-found relatives and he says it gives him a "very good feeling" to know that he has family, even though they are so far away.
This may be more important for Patrick that many former child migrants since he has never married or had grandchildren.
Settling Back
Patrick describes a great sense of achievement in having completed such a successful reunification with his birthplace and extended family. After all, he had never ventured beyond the shores of Australia, or undertaken such a formidable long journey before.
One downside of the trip, according to Patrick, was having to return to his work as a car detailer with Total Nissan. As he says: "the first week back at work felt more like a fortnight!"
Patrick told his story to Counsellor Michael Anderson.
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Just short of two years after an earlier reunion of the 1938-ers at the WACA in August 1998, the invitation went out for a second time. This time, however, the invitation was extended to include ALL former child migrants. They came in their droves.
the way former migrants were treated by government and private institutions,