William Halbert (1919 – 1950), Kilbirnie-born Marine Engineer
On 03 July 1919, William Halbert, a 24-year-old marine engineer, son of Hugh and Agnes Halbert, née Morrison of 7 Newton Street, Kilbirnie married Mary Blue, a 25-year-old net worker, daughter of James and Mary Blue, née Clements of 33 Hill Street, Glengarnock. They were married at 19 Howard Street, Glasgow by Warrant of Sheriff Substitute in the presence of two witnesses. This form of marriage, known as an irregular marriage, was legal in Scotland until 01 July 1940 when it was replaced by civil marriages performed by Scottish registrars.
They set up home in South Neuk, Kilbirnie and following the birth of their two sons, Hugh (b. 14 April 1920) and James (b. 1923) the young family made the decision to emigrate to Australia in search of a better life. They travelled to Australia aboard the ship s.s. ‘Largs Bay’ and disembarked at Brisbane on 13 October 1927.
In 1934 they settled in Port Kembla, New South Wales and four years later, in 1938, William Halbert, with a partner, founded the Garnock Engineering Company in Military Road, Port Kembla, named after their hometown in Ayrshire. When the original partnership dissolved, his son Hugh became a partner and later his younger son James also became a partner. On 28 January 1947 the firm was incorporated as a Proprietary Company. During World War Two ‘Garnock Engineering Company Pty Limited’ moved to Five Islands Road, Port Kembla. The company expanded to meet the needs of war time requirements and added ship repairs to their activities. In 1950 William Halbert died and the business continued under the leadership of his sons Hugh and James. In 1956 they acquired a 38-acre site at Primbee for the installation of their heavy machine shop and heavy fabrication facilities. The company was a foundation member of the ‘Heavy Engineering Manufacturers’ Association’ formed in 1968. They also operated a Wholesale/Retail division, known as William Halbert & Sons Trading Company at Wentworth Road, Port Kembla which provided ships chandlery and general engineering supply services.