Leslie Herlihy
HERLIHY, Leslie John Wiliam, BE MIEAust (1905-1963)
Leslie Herlihy was born at North Fremantle on January 24, 1905. He was the son of police constable John Francis (Jack) Herlihy and his wife Margaret Herlihy nee Johnson. In 1908, his father took over proprietorship of the Beaconsfield Hotel and the family moved to live at the property. His father died from the Spanish Flu on August 9, 1919, with Leslie only being 14 years old. Leslie supported his mother, who took over as licensee of the hotel, by keeping all financial and operational records until the lease of the hotel was transferred in December 1926.
His education was at Christian Brothers College Fremantle. A bright student, he was awarded a Government Exhibition for his results in the 1920 Leaving Certificate. He commenced a Bachelor of Engineering at the University of Western Australia in 1922, graduating in April 1927.
Leslie was a talented athlete being a champion sprinter at University and a club lawn tennis champion at the East Fremantle Lawn Tennis Club.
Leslie married Gertrude Marjorie Bregenzer at St Mary’s Cathedral, Perth, on May 16, 1933. They had three children, John Henry, Francis William and Gilbert James.
Following graduation, Leslie joined Elder Smith’s Engineering Section based at Phillimore Street Fremantle. On January 1, 1929, The Structural Engineering Company of Western Australia had commenced operating as a joint venture between Elders and BHP. Key staff came from the Steel Division in Elders including Leslie as Structural Engineer for the new entity.
From 1931 to 1949, Leslie was Assistant Manager for The Structural Engineering Company of Western Australia becoming General Manager in February 1949, a position he held until his death in 1963.
In 1923, Leslie had become a Student Member of the Institution of Engineers, Australia. He became an Associate Member in 1930 and in 1951 was elevated to full Member.
Leslie died on September 28, 1963, aged 58 years and was survived by his wife and two of their three sons.
.jpeg)
References:
Frank Herlihy, Unpublished Family Papers.
West Australian, 22.1.1949, p. 24.
West Australian, 23.4.1927, p. 11.
