Maurice Reginald Lee-Thomas Sails to America

Maurice left for America on 26 April 1930.  He set sail by himself.  His other family membes had come a while before him.  He left many behind in Australia who he would never see again.  It's hard to imagine, but the call to America must have been over-riding of the desire to stay in Australia with the loved ones there.  "Courage" is the word I would use to describe this.  He was only 17 years old.  Here is the link to his Identification Check with the Matson Navigation Company to sail on the ship, "Sierra."

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/10071252/Lee-Thomas%2C%20Maurice%20-%20Matson%20Navigation%20Company.pdf

Maurice Reginald Lee-Thomas

All of the pertinent information about Thomas Henry Lee that I have is now posted.

 So now let's turn our hearts to my father, Maurice Reginald Lee-Thomas (b. 6 May 1913).  He  was the only son born to Thomas Henry Lee (Henry Lee-Thomas) and Ruby Thredgold.  Ruby went on to have five other children by a second marriage. Therefore, he has five half brothers and sisters. Maurice was called, "Grandps Fluffy" by his eight grandchildren and how his great grandchildren also refer to him as such.  The nick name came about because Maurice often referred to his wife (Florence Christensen ) as "Fluffy."  "Grandma and Grandpa Fluffy" became their grandparent terms. 

Maurice was born near Melbourne, Australia; lived most of his childhood near Adelaide, and immigrated to America in 1930.  He became a citizen of the United States on 24 March 1937.  The link below will take you to a copy of his birth certificate and citizenship certificate.  There is also a copy of an article appearing in the newspaper, "Ogden Standard Examiner" announcing his citizenship. 
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/10071252/Lee-Thomas%2C%20Maurice%20-%20Birth%20%26%20Naturalization%20Records.pdf

Thomas Henry Lee Photo

A real "treasure" is what I would say about this photo.  This is Thomas Henry Lee (known as Henry Lee-Thomas at the time of this photo) with his wife Ruby Ellen Thredgold.  The youngster in the middle of the picture is Maurice Reginald Lee-Thomas.  Maurice is my father and the only child of Henry.  A military uniform is on Henry so this could has been taken before he left with the Australian Army or possibly he was home on a leave.    A framed copy of this is in my office where I see it each time I go there.  I'm not sure if my copy is the original, but it is in the frame that I inherited from Maurice.