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by Marriott Edgar
Albert Down Under by Marriott Edgar, a comforting tale of Albert having no hard feelings against Wallace the lion, who had earlier "swallowed the little lad 'ole." (see The Lion and Albert)
The early part of the 20th century were the golden years for transoceanic liners. Following in the wake of the perilous and slow clipper voyages of the 19th century, and before the speed of BOAC aeroplanes, steamships carried thousands of migrants from Southampton to Australia.
There was a hiatus during the Great Depression but Australia opened its doors again after WWII, with passengers taking advantage of the £10 fare under the Assisted Migration Scheme. Children free, all welcome, as long as you are under 45 and white.
Had Albert waited until the end of the war, he could have travelled for free. But it wouldn't have been half as much fun.
Albert were what you'd call 'thwarted' He'd a red money box on the pot shelf, He were properly held up for bobbins, He studied the sailing lists daily, He went off next evening to Fleetwood, | |
The hold it were choked up with cargo, Some straw had been spilled in one corner, When he woke they were out in mid-ocean, His heart came right up in his tonsils, The lion were none other than Wallace, As they talked they heard footsteps approaching, |
He opened his mouth to the fullest |
'Twere Captain on morning inspection, Now Wallace could never stand tickling, The Captain went white to the wattles, He soon had the radio crackling, The quay it were jammed with reporters, And Albert soon picked up the language, They gave him a wonderful fortnight, |