coldpans:
Thomas Paine known by one and all as “Tinker” Paine ran a large varied haulage business in the sixties, which at that time was based at Peel Grove in Bethnal Green
it subsequently relocated to the Isle of Dogs at Millwall. My association with them was as a salesman selling Bedfords. There were two Main operating companies at
Peel Grove. Thomas Paine Ltd which carried out general haulage in and around London and the docks and was run by Fred Abdee, and J Beasley run by George Tullett
which seemed to be heavily involved carrying beer for Whitbreads the brewers. They also operated vehicles at the old Covent Garden Market, these I seem to recall were managed by John Pauling.Dealing with Tinker was definitely an educational experience, Whilst the vehicles one saw around the town looked smart and tidy painted in their own recognisable livery,
woe betide the salesman who assumed that the vehicle Tinker offered in part exchange, as was his habit, would bare anything but but a passing resemblance to the one
that arrived at the dealership. these were frequently towed to just outside the door and only able to wheeze the last few yards under their own steamI could not count the old Seddons, Magauris, TS3’s,etc that Tinker dropped on my toes in my early dealings with him. However I quickly learnt stratagems to deals with
these “strokes” and we had a good business relationship over a number of years. Tinker himself was a likeable person, and once you got to know him quite kindly.
Fred Abdee seemed to take care of the overall admin, whilst I recall George Tullett ran Beasley like a drill sergeant,at least in the language he used to the drivers.During my time they purchased from me TK and latterly KM 4 and six wheelers, the 6 wheeler conversions were carried out by Primrose
Although I remained in the retail motor industry for the rest of my career, only retiring 9 years ago, and met and dealt with many characters I don’t believe
I ever came across anybody that could compare with Tinker and his love of a deal.
I drove for Thomas Paine from 1980 until 2000 we were based in millwall then silvertown finally Barking where Fred Abdee sold out to Euro Span we had some great drivers there.