An Englishwoman’s account of emigrating to Australia in 1949, together with her asthmatic husband, their three year old daughter
– and her mother’s antique sideboard!
– and her mother’s antique sideboard!
A Kangaroo In My Sideboard
Cover design by Ed Christiano
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We spend Christmas Day at Hurtle’s house. It is not where I want to be. Children’s voices fill the air in play, but I brace myself for the inevitable scream of frustration from one little girl. It is an emotion I can relate to, but for me, screaming is against the rules. Mollie Veale 1949 Reasons for writing it: This one is personal. My mother died in 1985 aged seventy. She had been a widow for nearly thirty years and so I could barely remember anything about my father. Sometime later an aunt of mine gave me a bundle of letters, photographs and other documents. That was the first time I learned of the stark realities my parents faced before I was born. I knew nothing of British post-war austerity (they hadn’t taught us that in school!), and my mother had rarely mentioned anything to me about her personal history. |
Through the letters she wrote from 1949 to 1950 I learned of the remarkable friendships my parents made in South Australia, the calamitous nature of the ‘business’ my father had tried to establish, and how they had to face up to a life-changing decision. This was a world that predates the internet and social media, where there were few telephones, and where letters were as addictive as oxygen.
This was research material that any writer would savour, and turning it into a personal memoir was a challenge I could not resist.
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A dream of a better life – and a reality that shatters the illusion
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Five Star Reviews on Amazon:
“beautifully written… definitely worth a read”
“a delightful and compassionate nugget of history”
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July 1946 – A letter from Australia dangles a carrot: Former soldier Eric Veale determines to remove his new family from British post-war austerity, and take a chance on a business venture twelve thousand miles away.
September 1949 – Mollie Veale dreams of a better life for her asthma-suffering husband and their three year old daughter. Putting her trust in her husband’s vision, she tears herself away from her family in Manchester. Mollie has one condition: her mother’s antique sideboard must go with them!
September 1949 – Mollie Veale dreams of a better life for her asthma-suffering husband and their three year old daughter. Putting her trust in her husband’s vision, she tears herself away from her family in Manchester. Mollie has one condition: her mother’s antique sideboard must go with them!
The Aussie verdict :
"EASY TO READ AND DIFFICULT TO INSERT A BOOKMARK"
“I found a reason today to put my foot up for a few hours and read your book. Ratings, I hear you ask. 12 out of 10 was my appraisal. I'm not an ego fluffer, so here it is.
Honestly, right from the front cover, then page one 'The sideboard', made opening the next pages irresistible, regardless that I had previously read your manuscript. I picked up some of your changes which added to the story. There is a genuine flow between the 'letters' and your storyline in between. The letters also place great credibility and authority to the surrounding message.
From an Australian perspective you have captured a very accurate description, not only of the landscape and flora typical to the particular region, but also Adelaide as it was in the 1950's, Elder Park, RSL Club, buildings, street electricity wiring and the like. Clever research mate.
I may have told you that I have never been a passionate reader of books. Some styles help me more than others. I will admit that if a storyline that I am reading drops off the radar I can start to feel myself speed reading. No such feeling with this one, nor your 'Murder Tree'.
Best part about this book is that it IS a RIPPER, easy to read and difficult to insert a bookmark.”
Honestly, right from the front cover, then page one 'The sideboard', made opening the next pages irresistible, regardless that I had previously read your manuscript. I picked up some of your changes which added to the story. There is a genuine flow between the 'letters' and your storyline in between. The letters also place great credibility and authority to the surrounding message.
From an Australian perspective you have captured a very accurate description, not only of the landscape and flora typical to the particular region, but also Adelaide as it was in the 1950's, Elder Park, RSL Club, buildings, street electricity wiring and the like. Clever research mate.
I may have told you that I have never been a passionate reader of books. Some styles help me more than others. I will admit that if a storyline that I am reading drops off the radar I can start to feel myself speed reading. No such feeling with this one, nor your 'Murder Tree'.
Best part about this book is that it IS a RIPPER, easy to read and difficult to insert a bookmark.”
The above message sent by email is from Linc Barrington, resident of Delamere, South Australia. Linc was Alan’s ‘local’ contact who helped with research into A Kangaroo In My Sideboard.
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Alan's television interview on That's Lancashire
(7.5 mins)
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Radio interview with Sally Naden
(18 mins)
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