Comments on: RMS Orion / SS Orion

By: Gloria COOPER

Gloria COOPER — Sat, 06 Sep 2025 10:54:20 +0000

Our family left Tilbury on the Orion on the 28 Feb 1963 the 62/63 winter in UK was freezing, we eventually arrived in Sydney on 4th April, to start a new life as a 18year old newly married,,,,62 years on having 3 children 8 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandchild.,,,I can remember there being an outbreak of measles on board, also being stuck in the Bitter lakes for many hours. having to wait for a large convoy of ships to go through the Suez Canal.

By: Sheilah Gamble

Sheilah Gamble — Tue, 19 Aug 2025 00:48:59 +0000

I travelled out on the SS Orion from Tilbury in December 1962 with my family. I had my 5th birthday on the ship. Mum and Dad were Adam and Sheilah Gaines. I only have brief glimpses of what was a wonderful voyage in my memory. We disembarked in Melbourne and spent about two years at Holmsglen Hostel where we met many wonderful people. I fondly remember Sylvia who was Egyptian. I would love to catch up with anyone from the Hostel or who travelled on the SS Orion in December 1962. Sheilah Gamble (nee Gaines)

By: Stephen Martin

Stephen Martin — Fri, 25 Oct 2024 07:52:36 +0000

My parents travelled from Tilbury in October 1951 to Melbourne. I wish I had asked them more about the journey.

By: Keith Coombes

Keith Coombes — Sun, 31 Dec 2023 01:09:02 +0000

Bob Hopper I was on that voyage. We ‘Little Brothers’ were also on H deck, very close to the waterline. I remember that Great Australian Bight crossing too. Did she ever roll? A rumour swept through the ship that other vessels were asked to stand by.

By: Bev

Bev — Fri, 27 Oct 2023 06:33:14 +0000

Hi. I was 4 years old when our family travelled from UK to Sydney. Arriving December 1962. My parents wanted a wonderful new life in Oz and they certainly achieved that. As a child I remember the playroom with a slide that went around the corner. Days when the pool was emptied and we could play in the shallow water with the walls towering above our heads. Merchants in boats alongside the ship, and Mum and Dad buying gifts. I still have a horn shoehorn! Anyone else on this journey got memories?

By: Rick Perry

Rick Perry — Thu, 28 Sep 2023 23:11:37 +0000

Sorry,1961 to 1962.

By: Rick Perry

Rick Perry — Thu, 28 Sep 2023 04:43:38 +0000

Hi Ruth Riley,I was on that voyage December 1961 to January 1963.

By: Neil.B.Ennis

Neil.B.Ennis — Wed, 10 May 2023 21:07:46 +0000

In reply to Marilyn White.

Hi Marylin
Try the Australian National Archives at:
https://www.naa.gov.au/explore-collection/immigration-and-citizenship/passenger-arrival-records
Regards
Neil

By: Marilyn White

Marilyn White — Wed, 10 May 2023 09:25:45 +0000

I was on the Orion leaving England in December 1961 and arriving in sydney in January 1962. I remember a fair bit of the trip as I was 7 at the time. Does anyone know how to find the passenger list for this trip, I’ve looked everywhere and can’t find it.

By: Lynne Keane

Lynne Keane — Thu, 28 Apr 2022 16:42:47 +0000

We left Tilbury Docks on 19th or 20th December 1961 and traveled through the Mediterranean sea, stopped in Athens, then Piraeus sailed down the Suez Canal. We stopped in what was then Bombay and then made our way to Fremantle. My family and I left the ship in Adelaide (Outer Harbour) on 21st January 1962. We had a wonderful time on board, celebrating Christmas, New Year, Crossing the Equator and my 14th Birthday. I have been trying to find out if Jimmy Barnes and his family were on board this voyage, I believe they were. Anyway, I live in Victor Harbor now and am retired. My husband is Australian and is very involved in the Victor Harbor Men’s Shed. I broadcast on fleurieu fm community radio and love it.