In July 1940 HMT Dunera departed Liverpool with more than 2,000 passengers, made up of Jewish refugees, Italian and German prisoners of War and guards. The destination was unknown to the passengers. The conditions on board were harrowing and 57 days later the ship arrived in Australia, firstly in Melboune where the Prisoners of War disembarked before continuing it’s journey to Sydney.
Those passengers, who became known as the Dunera Boys were transported by train to a camp located in New South Wales in the town of Hay.
Today the location of the camp is desolate and located on the edge of town. Several of the railway carriages have been converted into a museum and it was here that we spent a couple of hours reading the various exhibits.
Between 1940 and 1946 the camp was “home” to over 6,000 German, Italian and Japanese Prisoners of War.
This final picture is of a small gathering of “Dunera Boys” painted at a recent reunion.
Julie Goucher ~ Anglers Rest 
Thanks Julie… I particularly enjoyed this post probably because the Italian born great grandfather of my three eldest Grandchildren was captured by the Allies, transported to Australia, and incarcerated in the Hay POW Camp in NSW during WW2.
So impressed was he by this land of opportunity that after being repatriated to his homeland Giuseppe emigrated to South Australia… His Grandaughter, Josephine, my grandchildren's Auntie was my first “guest blogger” for 2013 where she shared his story. If you're interested in reading it, here's the link:
http://caiteile.com/2013/01/06/our-history-our-future
Cheerio for now. Catherine
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A very interesting post. I had never heard of the Dunera boys previously.
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Looks like beautiful, historic buildings. Hopefully they can continue to be preserved! Thanks for sharing!
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Very interesting post!
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I bet those boys have some stories to tell!
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What beautiful images. Sounds like a great place to visit.
Good luck with the challenge.
Cheryl
http://www.thebusymomsdaily.com/2013/04/blogging-from-to-z-challenge-letter-e.html
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Love that last painting – vintage!
Keep Calm and A-Z
An A-Z of learning English
Round the world from A to Z
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Did the Jewish refugees stay in the POW camp too?
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Anglers Rest! A P.G. Wodehouse setting for the Mulliner stories. Love it already!
Stopping by from A to Z
http://unclemacsgardenshed.blogspot.com/
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Its a beautiful place…
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