Tony was 83 and had spent most of his working life as a lorry salesman, much of the time with T C Harrison in Derby, selling new lorries to big companies such as the Ind Coope brewery in Burton, and F B Atkins at Findern. He also dealt with purchases for smaller firms throughout Derbyshire and Staffordshire, like Allen’s of Hilton. He was very interested in the local history of Uttoxeter, where he grew up and went to school, and where he married Val, with whom he had three children.
In later life he and Val moved to Doveridge, just a few miles out of town, where Val sadly died four years ago. Tony also took an interest in the local bus operators, which is how I, a bus man, came to meet him some five years ago. I subsequently visited him numerous times at his house, and he was a pleasure to be with.