THE FIFTIES
12
(above)
Heading to a better climate
Left to right:
Joe Stockburn,
Geoffrey Pilkington,
Fred Pilkington,
Bill Parker
Adventure was very much part of the Pilkington make-up. The
family wanted an escape from dismal winters at home and initial
post-War hardship. They set their sights on Australia and in 1957
set sail on the RMS Oronsay for Adelaide. Accompanying them
were nine key workers with their families, along with five 15-
tonne excavators, essentially the assets of Fred’s contracting
business. A new life awaited them with the promise of orders
waiting to be fulfilled. Alas, their aspirations and dreams of an
exciting time ahead were to be cruelly dashed.
Arrival Down Under unhappily coincided with what was to be
recorded as South Australia’s worst drought. Construction projects
were consequently postponed, and the promised contracts never
materialised. Money was tight and times were suddenly very hard
indeed. After toughing it out for nine months, the decision was
taken to sell the equipment and head for home. The Pilkington
family returned to the UK with just two of the team workers and
their families. It was a hugely disappointing end to their ambitious
adventure, but a philosophical view of “nothing ventured, nothing
gained” won the day.
