My name is Ruby Iris Windsor, nee Key. I am now 80 years old. I was a ‘ten pound Pom’ and sailed on the SS Asturias with the rest of our small family, leaving South Hampton in 1949. There was Gran - Jennie Key, Mum - Nellie Key, sister - June Key and brother - Derek Key. I was thirteen years old at the time.

My Grandfather had migrated to Australia in 1921. It had been a long-held dream for all of us to go and live in Australia.

Sailing on the Asturias was a wonderful experience for us. Mum, Nellie had a lovely singing voice and performed in many of the concerts held on board. We were very proud of her. I have many memories of our journey. Leaving the ship and climbing Lavender Hill to see the tea plantations in Ceylon. The Suez Canal – men in flowing robes, horses galloping across the desert sands. The endless seas we sailed through.

I will never forget our journey to Australia.

I am now the only one left of our original family of five who sailed on the Asturias. But we married, went forth and multiplied - children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. All little Australians.