Huddart Parker Ltd

When A. G. Adams joined Huddart Parker Limited in 1912-13 it had only recently become a public company. On 1st January 1912 the company started with capital of 1,000,000 pounds. At the time, the main business was coastal shipping of cargo and passengers and trade was conducted in the southern states of the newly federated Commonwealth of Australia and across to New Zealand.

In 1914, at the outbreak of war, Huddart Parker Ltd, was at its highest point. A branch office had recently opened in Dunedin, NZ with Mr T.J. Parker (A.G. Adams' cousin) appointed Manager of that office. The 1914 the company also acquired coal interests in the Hunter Valley, NSW.

After leaving school A. G. Adams was employed as a clerk at Huddart Parker.

The Great War, took a significant toll on the company both in terms of the human impact, the loss of trade and the requisition of ships for use by the Admiralty.

Athol G. Adams, would have known many of the company men who enlisted to serve Australia and the Empire:

• Lieutenant W. T. T. Appleton - the Melbourne manager of the company and son of the then Chairman. Lieut. Appleton (7th Battalion, 1st AIF) was killed in action on 24 July 1916, aged 33, whilst leading his men in captured trenches close to Pozieres. He as buried where he fell.
• Mr L.S. Bull, son of Capt. P.W. Bull, General Manager, of Huddart Parker Ltd. L.S. Bull was a fourth engineer with the company when he enlisted shortly after the declaration of war. He trained at the Broadmeadows Camp with A. G. Adams. He saw action in the heavy fighting on the Somme in 1916 and later in Flanders. He was killed in action on New Years Day 1917 and is buried near Amiens.
• Lieutenant T. J. Parker, manager of the Dunedin office of Huddart Parker and grandson of the founding chairman, paid his own passage to England to join the Royal Field Artillery in 1915. He received his commission and saw service in Ypres salient. In 1916 he served with the Guard Divisional Artillery on the Somme. After being wounded at Guillemont we was sent to England for treatment. Whilst convalescing he acted as Adjutant of the Royal Horse and Field Artillery School of Gunnery at Shoeburyness. After recovering he was posted to Italy with the 23rd Divisional Artillery. Lieut. Parker volunteered to serve on a military mission to Austria after the Austrian revolution occurred. Lieut. Parker survived the war and returned to Australia to continue with the company. He was made a director in 1923.

From 1914 to 1918, Huddart Parker saw 70 staff members leave to serve their country. Thirteen of these were never to return. In addition, some of the company's vessels (Nairana, Zealandia, Ulimaroa, Hebburn and Coogee) were taken over by the Admiralty but continued to be manned by Huddart Parker crew. These men also put their lives in danger.

The Zealandia of Huddart Parker Ltd sailing under a partially completed Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Zealandia served, with a Huddart Parker crew, in both WW1 and WW2.

With many thanks to D.A.J. Parker for use of the family archives.