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Margaret Humphreys

Oranges and Sunshine: Empty Cradles Paperback – 17 Mar 2011

by Margaret Humphreys (Author)

327 customer reviews

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Also published as Empty Cradles.

In 1986 Margaret Humphreys, a Nottingham social worker, investigated a woman's claim that, aged four, she had been put on a boat to Australia by the British government. At first incredulous, Margaret discovered that this was just the tip of an enormous iceberg. Up to 150,000 children, some as young as three years old, had been deported from children's homes in Britain and shipped off to a 'new life' in distant parts of the Empire, right up until as recently as 1970.

Many were told that their parents were dead, and parents often believed that their children had been adopted in Britain. In fact, for many children it was to be a life of horrendous physical and sexual abuse far away from everything they knew. Margaret reveals how she unravelled this shocking secret and how it became her mission to reunite these innocent and unwilling exiles with their families in Britain before it was too late.

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Product details

Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Corgi; Film Tie-In edition (17 Mar. 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 9780552163354
ISBN-13: 978-0552163354
ASIN: 055216335X
Product Dimensions: 12.7 x 2.5 x 20.3 cm
Average Customer Review: 327 customer reviews
Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 270,987 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #129 in Books > History > Australasia & Pacific > Australia & New Zealand > Australia
- #369 in Books > Society, Politics & Philosophy > Social Sciences > Sociology > Population & Demography
- #456 in Books > Health, Family & Lifestyle > Families & Parents > Adoption

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Review

"It is a story that defies belief." (Independent)

"The secrets of the lost children of Britain may never have been revealed if it had not been for [the actions of] Margaret Humphreys." (Sunday Times)

"A modern Florence Nightingale." (Sydney Morning Herald)

"A truly astonishing, haunting, real-life detective story." (She (Australia))

"Brought tears to my eyes. It is impossible to read...without thinking "These could be my parents. These could be my children."...Despite the sadness and anger at its centre, hope remains the principle message of this remarkable book." (Terry Waite The Times)

Book Description

Now a major film, the book that exposed the scandal of Britain's forgotten and abused child migrants, previously published as Empty Cradles

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Emm

A brilliant, haunting and unforgettable book.

11 June 2018

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I have read this book twice already. I will read it again. I have visited Perth but unfortunately was unable to get to Bindoon.
Like so many others, I had no idea about child migration until I saw a film on the television.
I was very upset about it and did my best to forget it. In vain! I had nightmares over and over. Still, when I saw the book I was unable to resist it.
Why? Because it could so easily have been me, along with my brother and sister!
It was 1955, my mother was ill and was hospitalised. My father, still traumatised after having survived four years in a concentration camp, worked nights in the local colliery.
I distinctly recall two social workers inspecting us as I sat with my brother and sister lined up on the settee in our front parlour.
My father argued with them that we were supervised at night by my aunt, who sat nearby nodding earnestly, so there was no need to take us into care.
This was a not true. As my father departed at 10.30pm every night I locked the door and took charge. I was nine, my sister was eight and my brother four.
My mother suffered for years with mental illness, my father was somewhat inclined to drink too much and I have often wondered whether we would have been better cared for in a home, foster home, or even adopted.
Now I know the answer.
Anything was better than the fate endured by the child migrants. When I think of what could have happened to my little brother!!We did the best we could to care for each other and stay together. Whatever else, we kept our roots, our extended family, friends and neighbours. I know where and when I was born and still have a relationship with my siblings. We have aged together and shared our very different lives and families.
We know who we are.
My heartfelt sympathy goes to each and every one of those of my peer group who suffered this outrage, wherever they are.

9 people found this helpful

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Taylor Phillips

Emotional roller coaster

26 December 2018

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I bought this book several months ago but finally started reading last week. I had not really read the promo details before buying and was not prepared for what I was reading. Children torn from their families, friends and country and shipped to Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Zimbabwe. In most cases the children's identities were changed to ensure no one could find them. Most of the children suffered dreadful abuse and were used as slave labour. That the governments of these countries encouraged this illegal migration is a gross abuse of power. The illegal migration continued until 1967 yet to this day the British govt has not apologised for their part in the illegal transportation. At times I became so incensed that I had to stop reading. My heart goes out to the adults ( previously migration children) who still have no closure or have not located their biological families. I have also had a complete change of heart towards those institutions, Dr Barnardos being just one of many. Will never again donate to these charities.

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Mrs. S. Biddulph

Shocking, moving and essential reading, Empty Cradles defies belief

15 March 2010

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This book made me angry and made me cry, it never failed to elicit an emotion. It is a powerful and moving story that defies belief. The hidden history of child migration is from another time, but living in the here and now. It is totally inconceivable that a government can send its most vulnerable, children in care, thousands of miles away ripping them from their homeland, some as young as three. The deceit and cruelty ring out from the pages not only for what Britain did, but also for how Australia treated the "lost innocents", many of whom suffered appalling abuse. The poor mites didn't stand a chance. It is a testament to their courage that they managed to live adult lives after such desperate childhoods. They have incredible hope and determination matched only by the truly remarkable Margaret Humphreys. She is an amazing woman. The way she followed her instincts to help people, do good and bring the hidden secret of child migration to the forefront of a nation's conscience. The sacrifices she made, giving her time freely and courageously are incredible. Throughout she never judges or apportions blame, instead she focuses on what really counts, reuniting families. She is a humbling human being. I met her shortly before the British government formally apologised for the part it played in child migration. Another milestone in her extraordinary journey. I wanted to know more after that meeting so I bought this book. It has gripped me from the first page. Although the writing isn't brilliant, the content is among the most compelling and moving I've ever read. Everyone should know about it and read it.

47 people found this helpful

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rcl16

Insightful and harrowing

30 July 2018

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This book is very well written and gives a true insight to the devastating decision by British government to send many children thousands of miles away from their homes and families.
The book reveals the devastating consequences to the lives of these children. Many were too late to be reunited with their families years later and many had been told that they had no live family. But many, with the dedication of Margaret Humphries had that opportunity. This book will both shock and move you. A very emotive read, which has made me further research the places and people involved.
This is our history and Britain should be ashamed!

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karen

Thought provoking

23 June 2018

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Sending orphans out of England to lands of sunshine and better opportunity was the idea . In reality few of the children were orphans , many had parents who were temporarily unable to care for them . As a result children were often told their parents were dead ,given falsified dates of birth and sometimes name changes and shipped out of the country . Abuse and neglect followed in their new homeland . A scandal that should never have happened.

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