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Eric's back home for 80th birthday
A FAMILY man who emigrated from Sheffield to Australia in the 1960s returned to his roots to celebrate his 80th birthday.
Eric Dyson moved with his wife Betty and their three children to start a new life Down Under – meeting up with Betty's three sisters in Melbourne and pursuing his career as a mechanical engineer.
The family later moved to Perth in Western Australia, where Eric still lives today with Betty, his two daughters Janet and Carol, son Peter, and eight grandchildren.
But he and Betty wanted to return to his home city to mark his 80th birthday.
Eric was born in Pitsmoor before moving to Shiregreen as a toddler. Living through the war he remembers sheltering under the kitchen table during air raids on the city.
He was orphaned at the age of 16, after caring for his mother during a long illness, and moved to live with family on the Manor estate.
A bright and capable pupil, he studied first at City Grammar School before going on to Sheffield University to become a mechanical engineer.
In his spare time he loved the outdoors – regularly going out hiking, cycling and youth hostelling with a group of like-minded friends. Betty was the sister of one of his pals, and the couple married in 1952.
Eric worked as an apprentice at The Admiralty and the couple lived in Handsworth. Later he gained employment as a design engineer and the couple had two daughters, before moving to Grenoside where their son was born.
In April 1964 the family set sail for Australia aboard the SS Canberra from Southampton, arriving in Melbourne three weeks later.
Eric has always had a passion for travel – holidaying with Betty all over the world from Canada to Dubai and Russia over the years.
But South Yorkshire has always remained close to his heart – and the number one destination for him.
Daughter Janet Potsch said: "He has had a wonderful life in Australia but he has never forgotten his roots, his school and work friends from the early years.
"He never visits Sheffield without catching up with them all, as he does throughout the years with letters and now of course emails.
"Over the years he had entertained many family and friends from the UK both in Perth and Melbourne, making his home open to anyone who wanted to visit.
"He has become a great tour guide and loves to show off his new country. Having said that though, dad is a Yorkshireman at heart, and he has never given up his British citizenship."
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Friday 10 February 2012
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