Immigrants and Spies: My father, my memories

by Barbara Mackay-Cruise

Immigrants and my father, my memories is the riveting true story of Noel W. Lamidey, an English immigrant who arrived in Australia in the 1920s and went on to establish one of the most extraordinary migration schemes the world had ever seen.

During the Second World War, Lamidey was secretary to the Aliens Classification and Advisory Committee. In 1946 he was sent to London by the Chifley Government where he worked as Chief Migration Officer. Four years later he made a remarkable announcement on behalf of the Australian Australia would accept two million migrants.

He went on to work closely with MI5 and MI6 to ensure that migrants from Axis countries, who had carried out heinous crimes against humanity, did not have a chance of reaching our shores.

Written by Lamidey’s daughter, Barbara Mackay-Cruise, the book also describes a remarkable childhood in a political household during an era of unprecedented upheaval. From Canberra to London and beyond, Immigrants and my father, my memories is both a fascinating memoir and an insider’s account of a critical time in Australian history.

Genres: Audiobook

166 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 19, 2017

Reviews

[Jigs · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting. But nothing about history of immigration that one would expect .

[Ms Warner · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a jolly, rollicking read. Or maybe that was just the narrator. This is the story of Noel Lamidy who was sent to Australia from London in 1946 to establish the post-war migration scheme. Written by his daughter, Boo (Barbara), this recounts their family history as mother, father, Boo and Pargie (oh so terribly British) travel from war torn London to backskirts Canberra and make their new home. Contrasted with Dark Emu which I’ve just read this is incredibly white-washed and the arrogance with which she talks about making the nation great because of the (white) migrant scheme is a little unsettling. But that’s history, right? It’s all about perspective.

[Nine Miles · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disappointing. The memoir provides some social and historical context to Noel Lamidey's personal life and work relationships. However, I found the memoir more about the author and all the notable people she met through her father's connections (a lot of name dropping) than about her father.

[Lena Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Expanding my choice of books and biographies. Mostly historical events.

[Annie · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF’d at 33%... might be better as a hard copy book. This was very difficult to listen to on audio book, which is disappointing as I was very interested in the concept/topic.