In 1953, Master Desmond McDaid, 8, arrived at Fremantle, Australia, in a group of 16 children from St. Josephs Home, Termonbacca, Londonderry, Northern Ireland.

Desmond became successful as an adult, residing in Applecross, Australia, but he only managed to locate his mother forty years after his arrival in 1992.

In 2001, Desmond was the Committee Coordinator for the International Association of Former Child Migrants and Their Families.