Eleanor Harris

History
Immigration

Carvings
on site

Residents
in the past

1900 - 1920

1950 - 1984

Eleanor Victoria Harris was born in Wales in the town of Barry. During World War II bombs were landing on England. People living in major cities sent their children to live in small country towns. People who had relatives or contacts in Australia could send their children to Australia.

One group of children was evacuated from Britain in 1940 on a ship called "M.S. Batory". Eleanor was the eldest child on the ship - she was 14 at the time. Disease broke out on the ship so it was quarantined at Manly. As it happens, Jack Woodward, was there at the time with his family (his stepfather worked at the Quarantine Station) even though he had already signed up with the army.

Jack and Eleanor became friends but Jack had to go back to war. They wrote to each other throughout the war.

Eventually, the war ended and Jack and Eleanor were able to marry. Eleanor had moved to Melbourne after the time she spent at the Quarantine Station and they were married in Camberwell.

Eleanor Harris
at Manly Beach

Signing the registry.
Marriage of Jack Woodward and Eleanor Harris
in Camberwell, Victoria.

Thanks to their son, Anthony Woodward,  
who has provided the story and photographs on this page.

1900 - 1920

1950 - 1984