David Robina Robert Cormack

Mother and I began our venture to Canada in October, 1953 where we left on board the TSS Olympia on its maiden voyage, covering a route similar to the Titanic, visiting various ports of call in the process. One stop was to cross over to Ireland. In this case we hit a very rough sea, which the Irish Sea is noted for, creating a lot of seasickness among the crew and passengers. However, we had entertainment brought on board with a small vessel, as it was too rough to dock.

The rest of the voyage was smooth sailing. Mother would tell people that she never saw me except for meals. I was fourteen years old at the time and found a lot to do. One thing in particular that I remember was playing table tennis with Burl Ives, a well known movie actor and folk singer. Another thing I remember well was to be going in the evening to the Ballroom for the evening entertainment, where I danced with six different models accompanying the Queen's dress designer Norman Hartnell. They were heading for a fashion show in New York, a big thrill for a fourteen year old. Of course there was the usual swimming pool, gymnasium, and movies. So one was kept quite busy was well as the all day brunch. Every day my mother would take the dog out to exercise on a special deck for pets.

On our arrival into Halifax my mother and I were given our Immigrant Status Card and we sat in a waiting room for customs and luggage. We were then shown where to pick up the train. While seated in the train Mother and I were taken aback by all the various colours of the houses. This was very new to us to see these coloured houses. We were taken by train to Moncton, N.B. then picked up by my father and friend and driven to Saint John, N.B. to start a new life. My father immigrated a few months before us; he was already established in business.

The move to Canada was one of the best things that Father did, as we have had a wonderful life and Canada is the land of opportunity.