Dr. Leslie Edward Doherty, B.Sc.(Math Science), M.Eng - Father, Grandfather, Artist, Friend
Leslie Doherty was not an ordinary man; he was a idealist, a doer, and a man with a vision that stretched far beyond the city of London where he had spent most of his life. Born in the early 1940s, Les grew up in a world defined by the steady rhythm of military life, as his father was in the British Navy. As his father worked up the military ranks, his mother was a homemaker, nurturing Leslie and his sister Christine. The Doherty family were beset by the normal issues of life, and due to Mr Doherty being absent from home, away at sea quite a lot, it appeared like Mrs Doherty were raising the children single handedly.
Les had always been fascinated by machines, electronics, and how things worked. As a child, he would spend hours taking apart old radios, clocks, and anything mechanical he could get his hands on. His room was a chaotic mess of wires, gears, and parts, much to the dismay of his mother, who could never understand why he preferred tinkering with broken gadgets over playing outside with the other children. But Les’s passion was undeniable, and his father, despite his gruff exterior, secretly admired his son's curiosity and determination.
When Les was eighteen, he graduated from school to take up an apprenticeship at a local engineering firm. He was a quick learner, and his supervisors were impressed with his skill and dedication, however Leslie wanted to have further achievements to his credit, and his job couldn't provide that, as fast as he desired. Les decided to joined the British Air Force, and by the time he was in his mid-twenties, Les had become a skilled mathematician, Electronics Engineer, and Researcher. His reputation as a problem solver was becoming known, and he was well liked by his peers, however Les was getting restless. He knew there was a bigger world out there, one filled with opportunities that he was eager to embrace.
In the latter part of 1960s, Leslie was now married with three children, he heard about a job opportunity that seemed like it was made for him. British Aerospace, a major player in the global defense and aerospace industry, was expanding its operations in South Australia, and they were looking for skilled scientists and engineers to join their team at the Edinburgh site, just north of Adelaide. The idea of working on cutting-edge technology and being part of something so much bigger than himself excited Les. Through his friend Dave, he was told about the Woomera Rocket Range, also known as the Woomera Test Range, the large military testing and launch facility in South Australia. It is one of the largest land-based testing ranges in the world, and managed, controlled by Australian and British Aerospace. Leslie was keen to learn more, and began planning his life and family for his future career path.
The decision to leave was not an easy one. Les had to convince his wife that taking the family to Australia would be a positive one. For his wife, Shirley, it meant leaving her relatives behind, and wasn't sure about how the three children would cope being uprooted from their routines, especially Terri who was now at school. The thought of uprooting the family and moving to the other side of the world was daunting, but would also be rewarding. Shirley began learning all she could about Australia, she knew how much this opportunity meant to Les. She wasn't totally against the idea, however the biggest hurdle would be saying farewell to her extended family.
On March the 3rd,1967, after months of planning and preparation, Les and his family boarded a plane bound for Adelaide. The journey took seven days, and with three young children, seemed long and exhausting, but Les’s excitement overshadowed any fatigue. When they arrived in South Australia, they were greeted by the warm, dry air and the vast, open skies that were so different from the grey and often damp weather of London and Bristol. For three weeks they resided in a unit at West Beach, right on the beach front where a blue band of water greeted them daily. It was so vast that no matter what direction one looked, all you saw was sand and sea. Occasionally you would see a boat in the distance, usually a large barge carrying cargo.
Leslie and his family settled into a modest home in Elizabeth West, a suburb not far from the Edinburgh base. The area was known for its strong ties to the British immigrant community, and Les found comfort in the familiar accents and the shared stories of those who, like him, had made the journey to start a new life. The community was welcoming, and Les quickly made friends, many of whom also worked at British Aerospace.
At the Edinburgh base, Les was in his element. The facility was not much to look at from the street with a lot of the old buildings shrouded in secrecy, having somewhat plain red brick building structures, with high fences, and signage everywhere warning trespassers not to enter.. Inside was a different story, state-of-the-art technology, computers, and an array of projects to delve into. the work was challenging, yet fulfilling at the same time. Les worked on various projects, one being the development of missile and rocket testing in Woomera. His expertise in precision engineering was invaluable, Les thrived under pressure. He was driven by the knowledge that he was contributing to something significant, something that mattered on a global scale. Leslie had to spend some of his time in the Town of Woomera, where he was given a Staff Accommodation Unit. This allowed his family to stay together when Les needed to be on site at the rocket range facility.
Shirley found her place in their new life. She settled into a steady routine of assisting the local school and became involved in the community, volunteering at various events and organizations. The children adjusted well, making friends at school, the local kindergarten, and in the neighborhood. The entire family flawlessly embraced the Australian way of life. Weekends were spent exploring their new surroundings, from the beaches of Glenelg to the rolling hills of the Barossa Valley. South Australia was a land of opportunity and adventure, and the Doherty's embraced it fully.
As the years passed, Les’s career at British Aerospace flourished. He was promoted to a supervisory role, overseeing a team of engineers. His work took him to various locations across Australia and even back to the UK on occasion, There were trips to America, which he enjoyed, not only because of his work commitments, but it was also where his sister Christine resided with her family. Adelaide remained his home. Les was proud of what he had achieved in his career, and in 1997 gained his final accolade, by obtaining a PhD, his end goal was to write a book. Most of his career was shrouded in mystery as life on any Government Payroll is, but when it comes to research, warfare, military disciplines, even family members, associates, and friends are scrutinized, and observed by government officials. My father was second in charge of the Defense, Science, Technology Organization before retirement. DSTO as it is commonly referred, has a primary mission to enhance Australia's defense capabilities by conducting research, development, and testing across various scientific disciplines.
In the late 1970s, Les and Shirley parted ways, and the children resided with their mother. Les had regular visitation with his children, and life moved forward. Both remarried at a later date, and Leslie went on to have further children. He continued doing what he loved, which gave him true fulfillment, not from titles or paychecks, but from the passion and dedication he brought to his work every day.
In early 2004, after years living in South Australia, Les decided it was time to buy a house on the Gold Coast. It was more of his wife's idea than his, however he did built a house at Varsity Lakes, and planned to work part time under contract to DSTO, it meant living on the Gold Coast of Queensland, but flying to Adelaide, and Canberra periodically, to fulfill his commitment.
This arrangement was not ideal because even in his semi-retirement his reputation as a Master Electronics Engineer lived on. He was often called upon for advice or to help with a tricky project, and he was always happy to lend a hand, he just couldn't let go altogether. Fractures formed in his relationship with his wife, and arguments erupted often. Often causing him to shake his head and retreat to the only pleasures that gave him fulfillment, his work, and his love of art. Les Doherty had a couple of painting framed, but also had a few hanging in art galleries around town. One he was most proud of, the painting he did of Wilpena Pound, which is a natural amphitheater of mountains located within the Flinders Ranges.
May 13th, 2005 saw dad filling out forms for a loan. He planned to fill out the forms and hand them into the local bank that afternoon. His goal was to purchase a unit in Canberra, He already had a rental unit in Canberra, but wanted a more permanent arraignment. Canberra hosts various facilities, and offices related to national defense, including those for defense science and technology. Canberra is the capital of Australia, with is the center hub of government and defense administration. Fate it turned out had other plans. Leslie found himself under verbal attack from his wife, as she had an agenda that didn't include his goal of finishing the loan application. She wanted Les to accompany her to the local school to pick up their daughter. Les thought his wife was quite capable of doing that herself while he finished filling out the forms. Unsure of who won the verbal battle, but I do know the forms were finalized, signed, and taken to the bank. It was while leaving the bank and heading to their vehicle, that Dad started feeling unwell. Even though help should have been available, as it was a busy shopping precinct, there were lots of people around, and both Dad and his wife had mobile phones, it seems from what I have been told by his wife, that the intention was for them to drive home. Unfortunately they didn't make it. Dr Leslie Doherty collapsed and ultimately passed away in the car, as the wife drove towards the exit of the car park. As this is unfolding, the car hit a barrier and stopped. Frantic the wife saw a medical centre nearby and ran for help, however it was too late.
I was not there that day in person, but I do know there would have been ample opportunity for a better outcome. I've been to the shopping centre in question many times, and know it is a large establishment with lots of foot traffic. More than one medical facility, and lots of places one could get help, and emergency assistance. The fact that his wife had a lot to gain financially sways my opinion as to why help wasn't sought. So much so that I still have unresolved questions, and conclusions many years later. Did his wife gain from Dad's passing? Yes, for sure. She gained the double story executive style home built just a year before. She gained all his superannuation from years of working tirelessly. She gained by insisting there was no will to be found. Although I don't agree! My father was never stupid, and he would have obtained a will at some point in his life. His wife withheld the true value of his estate, and did all she could to retain everything my father owned. Even blackmailing family so they wouldn't make claims against the estate.
As a daughter, all I wanted was some answers. No amount of money will bring my father back. No amount of money will resolve the resentment left in the wake of his passing. I just want to know why? Why did you not phone for an ambulance? Why did you not scream out for someone to help? Why did you think you could just drive home and make him a cup of tea?
There are other questions I ask too of the law makers, such as when a person dies in one state of Australia, opposed to another, do the rules change regarding Deceased Estates. Why do rules also vary about adoption, and non adoption children considered within ones family regarding Deceased Estates. Why is there no compulsory place for storing Wills, adoption papers, and other relevant documents, such as how a deceased person want to be buried, cremated etc. that families can tap into when dealing with a sudden loss? One of the bigger questions is... Why can a person who has financial gain from an Estate, be made an Executor of the Deceased Estate? To me that is a conflict of interest on a grand scale.
Sadly Dr Les Doherty, my father died aged 70, well before his time... One of his goals was to live beyond 76, which was the age his father Mr. Doherty senior passed away. My father never got to write his book, and that is probably a greater loss to Australia. Sadly, I never got to say goodbye! Dad you left so suddenly, and without warning. You had so much planned yet to achieve, so much more to offer, but the 13th of May 2005 events, put an end to that.
Dr. Leslie Doherty’s legacy was
one of hard work, integrity, and a deep love for his painting. He had lived a life that was rich in
experiences and full of achievements, but most importantly, he had lived a life
true to himself.
Yes there was a funeral with rosewood casket, gold handles, flowers, and a framed picture. A service, a time to weep, to bid farewell, however I can never truly say goodbye, because even after all the years have rolled on, I still feel you are not that far away.
Rest In Peace Dad. Always holding on to the memories of our time together!