Mrs Annie Thomas, 95, of East-the-Water has just had the thrill of her long life

She has met the son to whom she last waved goodbye when, as a boy of 15, he sailed for Australia. That was 47 years ago.

The son, Harry, has also met sisters and a brother who only vaguely remember him. They include Mrs Dorothy Streater, of Karen Close, with whom Mrs Thomas makes her home, and Mrs Kathleen Harris, of Dolton.

Mr Thomas left England under an emigration scheme run by the Boy Scout movement in order to go farming in Australia. He was to serve in the Army for six years during World War II, but was never able to reach his family. The war over, he returned to Australia to work on the railways.

He was never really alone ‘down under’ for another sister had emigrated about the same time. She returned to this country on a visit 27 years ago and is now here again. Mrs Thomas, who is looking forward to seeing her again, has lived in Bideford for two years after moving here from St Blazey.

Mr Thomas will soon be rejoining his own family.

Gazette article April 1975