The Smell of Diesel: A Personal Account of the Working Life of A Lorry Driver From the 1960S Onwards

by David Whitfield, Gyles Carpenter (Photographer), Jim McLaren Jr (Photographer)

A personal account of my working life from when I left school at aged 15 in 1961. My interest whilst still at school were lorries, ships and farming. It was therefore on a dairy farm that I started my 50 years of work.After the farm I became a drivers mate and when I passed my driving test I began to drive small lorries. The driving progressed and on reaching 21 I became a dock shunter for Ulster Ferry Transport on the docks in Preston, this led to becoming a lorry driver for Northern Ireland Trailers also in Preston. After the narrative of the docks the account tells of life as a long distance lorry driver from around 1970. A good portion of the story tells of my employment at the Scottish company WH Malcolm at the Preston depot. The story touches briefly on my personal life, the injuries I sustained at work and the couple of smaller driving jobs before my retirement in 2011.

152 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 19, 2014

Reviews

[Frank Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the print version of this a year or so ago. And is a true reflection of the writers time working in the road haulage industry.. I could relate readily to a lot of it as I travelled with my father in his lorry during my childhood & teenage years.. I have since become friends with the author, a man who "knows his stuff"

[Colin w kendrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Armchair Trucking!!

Enjoyed this easy reading book immensely.with over 50yrs H.G..V. Driving myself it brought back many happy days before retiring at 72yrs old ..David's down to earth and Honest description of a hard job that has changed so much ...a nostalgic trip for any "old hand" great read !

[D.W.Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Told as it is and was

A very good personal story which will be beyond the understanding of local government ,clerks, and general not a real job, people. Very good but believe me ,some drivers had lt a lot worse.

[Hrishikesh Kalita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice