A call out for Corbies

22 Sep 2015

In 1939, Probus member John Hare sailed with his two sisters from England to Australia as part of the British government organisation known as the Children’s Overseas Reception Board (CORB).

Known as Corbies, these children were evacuated to Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa to escape the imminent threat of German invasion in England. Now, John is looking to connect with other Corbies for old time’s sake. 

When John and his sisters arrived in Sydney, they were separated and John was sent to live in various private homes in Melbourne. Over the course of several months months, John lived in nine different homes and attended seven schools. 

“When the war ended, we were sent home to England, where after six months, another school was found for me.  At 14, I had to leave school and I got a job in an office in London for three years, which I hated. In 1949, I paid my five pound fare back to Australia to begin a new life here and worked at the State Savings Bank in Eaglehawk.” 

If you’d like to get in touch with John, his contact details are below:

Address: 31 Foster Street, South Geelong, Vic 3220

Tel: 03 52231383      

Email: [email protected]