Gerald Barty

Story

Reasons for leaving homeland: Post War England had limited work opportunities; Dad was a fireman on steam locomotives and Diesel was taking over; warmer climate; seeking a better life after the ravages of war; ten pound pom scheme was an attractive incentive. Dad died in 2006 aged 79.

Under the Ten Pound Pom scheme, he came out on the “Otranto” via Suez Canal. Dad told the story the food and service was like a 5 star hotel on the trip. He and many of the Europeans were badly sunburnt due to their time on the decks. He stated the trip was pleasant otherwise and exciting in anticipation of a new country. Many of his compatriots got off at Fremantle but he continued on to Port Adelaide and disembarked in 1950

Dad never forgot the day he arrived, as it was a 40 degree typical Australian burning Summer’s day and Dad said it was so hot the wharfies refused to unload the ship and their baggage and the immigrants had to unload all their baggage themselves. I found in a book of photos of immigrants and a picture of Dad he noticed of himself getting off the ship. This was amazing that after 50 years in Australia, Dad could visually see what he remembered. It was very emotional for him and the family (I could send a copy of that photo in photocopy form and the name of that book if would like).

Dad worked in Central Australia building the Ghan Railway line and he recalls the big wet kept the building crew stranded in a pub, with only beer and biscuits to eat for a week. He worked cutting wood and made his way to Melbourne. He met my mother and married in 1953 and they were married happily until 2006 when Dad passed away, Mum is alive in a nursing home in Geelong. Dad travelled back to England 3 times during his life and one world trip also. He was always stated it was a toss up between Canada and Australia and chose Australia as he could not stand any more cold winters like England.

Dad was a champion billiards and snooker player as was tutored by England’s world champion, John Pullman, when he was a youngster in England. Dad came from Boston, Lincolnshire and his parents Tom and Phyllis and siblings, Basil, Maurice, Janice and John and another disabled daughter who passed away in middle age. Janice is the only living sibling.

Dad love the seafaring life and he spend his last days in Geelong near the sea and loved Queenscliff in Victoria as we spent much time there with him. He asked for his cremated ashes to be spread off the Queenscliff-Sorrento Ferry near the Heads and this was done by me, along with my mother Elna and my brother, Stuart.

RIP, Gerald Barty. He always said migrants are physically and mentally strong, as you had to be to be a migrant. How true that was and is.

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