Hi Ryan,have u yr class 1,another suggestion,try & get on Thompson"s of Moretonhampstead,mostly all u will doin is loading rice puddings out of Lifton,LOL,then u can get sum cheap goodies from the shop,that will keep yr costs down,lol,well i think Thompson"s is a steady firm,24 pallets,strap,strap,curtains cross,yr Loaded,haha,good luck,Norman croad,Torquay…
Thanks for the reply Ryan wouldn’t try and talk you out of becoming a driver if your heart is set on it, but it is not the best career but as I said I enjoyed it,though it has changed a lot now.
I used to work for Hottot Transport Bovey Tracey in the late 60s, wen i was 18, A Trailer boi,goin up to covent Garden,London,loading fruit & veg Back to Devon,Eddie had the 110 scani,Roger had the AEC Mandator,Raymond had the Guy 4wheeler,Brian had the MAN artic tipper.And another Brian was the shunter.
Norman croad,Torquay.(Retired)
Hiya Norman,
Are there lots of Croads down your way? West is a very common name. Particularly John West. The American Ambassador to Saudi Arabia when I was there in the 70s and 80s. Oh, and a certain canned salmon…
I can remember at age about 5 wondering why older people called me ‘middle cut’ and laughed! Still, people do remember your name.
The only other Croad I’ve ever seen was when I was young and bought Airfix kits. I think it was the ‘Village Shop’ and one of the transfers was ‘R Croad Butcher.’
John
Hiya John West,
There is"nt any Croads in Devon,Its a I.O.W. name,my father was from there.
There is also alot of croads in Australia,my son is in Perth driving a Roadtrain,plenty of croads there.
i see yr in Barrow John.I used to load of Brady"s at one time,huge toilet Rolls to Plymouth.
We must know each other Norman. I got my start with Maddicot and Vallence from Dainton on a Leyland Super Comet with Scammel hitch in the late 60s but soon got a ‘proper’ job with Thompsons at Moreton. Even ended up with one of the Scanias.
Good times.
David
Hi David,i might remember you,Daintons were brown Livery,My father Charlie did abit of part time for Thompson"s,i knew alot of drivers on Thompson"s,i knew chris who was on the powder tanker,i know pete Brooker was he the shunter,the chap who drove the ERF,Hartley,the other chap who set up his own skip buisness,"Janes"I remember goin away sundays & first stop was Michael woods,& thompson"s was always there for a yarn,with there AEC mandators with rice puddings,HaHa,I started with Harris & Miners back in 1973.
Im Retired now,ive done my Millions of miles,LOL,Norman Croad,Torquay.
Some of the Devon Haulage Firms i Remember back in the 50s & 60s Who my Father “Charlie” Worked With!!
W.L.Vallance,Heathfield,Newton Abbot.
Key Transport,Kingsteignton.
WJ Crossman,Torquay.
JE Drake,Torquay.
F.Drake,Torquay.
Diamonds Removals,Torquay.
Setters Transport,Kingsteignton.
HJT Transport,Kingsteignton.
Eggbeers,Newton Abbot.
Winsors,Haytor.
DAJ Roberts,ILsington.
FJ Reeves,Totnes.
WF Miners,Ashburton.
Norman croad,Torquay.
6LX:
Devon Haulage Firms i Remember back in the 60s When i was a boi.
Key Transport,Kingsteignton.
WJ Crossman,Torquay.
JE Drake,Torquay.
F.Drake,Torquay.
Diamonds Removals,Torquay.
Setters Transport,Kingsteignton.
HJT Transport,Kingsteignton.
Eggbeers,Newton Abbot.
Winsors,Haytor.
DAJ Roberts,ILsington.
FJ Reeves,Totnes.Norman croad,Torquay.
Do you remember Wittons of Cullompton Norm I used to come across their Cockney shunter tipping their trunk motor at Wiggins Teape in Aldgate when I was there with my D1000,it would be in 69/70 and for a Cockney he was a right decent chap as I usually only had a couple of ton or less so he would let me in first as he was on an ERF artic with a full load to tip 
Cheers Dennis.
Hi Dennis,the only chap i knew on Whitton"s of Cullompton was Maurice Ellis,who drove the 4 inlne Lowloader with a 6 wheeled Atki unit 220 ■■■■■■■■
Maurice was a great guy to know,But sadly passed on…Norman croad,Torquay.
This is Frank Tucker of Exeter,S.Devon.
There old Depot started at Heavitree,Exeter,Then Moved to Peamore,Exeter.
They were ERF agents for many years
This ERF at 24 ton gross,& 150 Gardner.
Norman Croad,Torquay…
Eggbeers Guy Invincible 8 Wheeler Tipper,150 Gardner.
There Depot was at Bradley Lane,Newton Abbot,S.Devon.
My Father,“Charlie” drove for them.
“We never ran Low on Coal or Coke in our Council House”
Norman Croad,Torquay.
Hi all, have been thro this thread twice now-brilliant photo’s and memories (some people just had the brains to use a camera).I started in 73 on Lameys for a short time before going to Gregory’s, they put me thro class1 after only a matter of months and i got a J reg mandater,there were also 2 H reg,1 of which is pictured on here. Getting sidetracked a bit a guy called Olly some of you may remember him (once met never forgot) had 1 of them, don’t know if it’s the one pictured he also had the Daf new that’s pictured on here as well. Anyway back to the original ramblings my turn came for a new one and joy of joy’s it was a F88 290 6th one delivered down this way, Feb 75 it was, reg HDV831N, now i’m in my twilight misty eyed years could all of you sensible people who had the brains to use a camera have a real search and see if you captured my beloved. Had her home one weekend for a good polish and sure either me or the wife took a photo, if we did can’t find it plus had a house move so maybe lost.
As i’m here i’ll go on a bit, after Gregory’s went ownerdriver (idiot) bulk blower, 1st Albion 22t 6 wheeler…didn’t hurt me - think Mike Fishleigh still has it for bringing in grain from the field. 2nd v8 Mastiff 16 tonner…2nd favorite pulled like a train liked a bit juice but did me well.3rd F86 artic…favorite’ easy on the pocket maintenance costs, 8.5mpg (high diff 58mph) and a 22t payload pulling a tipper(half tank of fuel) clay to Stoke for Dennis Freight’s. Dennis use to wind up the other’s with the bigger heavier units how i was earning 11 loads of money in 10 trips, needless to say they didn’t help me when the clay was stuck to the floor.Back to blowers now, 4th Clysdale…OK.5th Ford 1618 v8 ■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■ ■■■■■■ 6th and last
NEW F7 6x2…huge mistake, couldn’t make money with new at the time and anyway should have bought a Scania.
Thank you Meathy for posting pic’s of Richard Warner’s trucks, we ran together for a while the 2 F86’s and then 111, did a few trips in 111 myself when
Richard was off, really loved that truck as did he, wished i’d had one.
Believe it or not i could really work then but Richard was something else, how far can you stretch elastic (l** ****k) i remember rocking up to Thorsby Colliery at 10.30pm one night putting my head down only to be woken 10 past midnight by empty tipper clattering up the lane and i thought i’d done well,
4.30 in the morning the colliery guy’s are banging on the door to say we can load if we want to,Richard come on let’s go,even earlier start than the day
before.
Sadly taken far too young,Top Man, much missed my friend RIP Richard never forgotten.Norman
That’s it for tonight if anyone’s interested, Cheers.
Hi Dogtired,nice story,Yeah i started driving with Harris & Miners from Bovey Tracey in 1973,4wheeler Leyland Comet.
I learned alot from my Father,showing me how to rope & sheet.I mainly done North East & scotch Runs.
I remember going up the old road from Exeter to Barnstaple,A377,I hated it,yes i remember Lameys from Appledore, had Mandators,so did Thompson"s of Moretonhampstead, & Gregory"s.
I was like you Dogtired,i started on my own,paid for my class 1,ERF 240 gardner & 40ft flat,all i did was go go go,it was tuff.
Done that for 15yrs,then got out of it…its easier to work for sumone else,let them have the worry of it.
Met alot of friends along the way with Tucker"s of Exeter,Thompsons,Gregorys,Good old days gone now!!
Norman Croad,Torquay.
Eggbeers of Bradley Lane,Newton Abbot,S.Devon.
Seen here at Teignmouth Docks
8 wheeler Foden,150 Gardner
Norman Croad,Torquay…
Merc of Holmans of Exeter,S.Devon.
Norman Croad,Torquay…
Eggbeers 8 Wheeler AEC Mammouth Major WDV 391
They had alot of trouble with the Brakes on the 2nd steer
So they turned the AEC back to a 6 wheeler,what i heard from the Mechanic.
Norman Croad,Torquay…
This Vehicle used to do Long Distance work when new 373 FOD
Then eventually retired to Local work
I worked for Harris & Miners for Many Years
On Several occasions ive drove the ERF on Local deliveries,1 odd trip to S/coast with delivery of Tiles
While my own Vehicle was being prepared for MOT
The Firm is not Trading anymore,as Brian sadly passed away
The best firm i ever worked for
Norman Croad,Torquay.
