King Coal & The Great Yorkshire Coal Hauliers

There were many haulage companies operating in the Wakefield area, in the 1950/60s., and many were owner drivers, who prospered and became the owners of very large enterprises themselves. My own company Walkers of Wakefield was one, Jackie Hanson of R Hanson & son was another, D Wrigglesworth of Dewsbury another, Jack Robinson of A One Transport another. The redoubtable Peter Slater of Gildersome was another, Fred Chappell who once sold me an old fire engine another, and of course there were also two other old friends of mine Frank Hensby, and his son Richard who built up a large fleet of tippers, and created the VW & Man Truck dealerships in Wakefield. Quite a formidable crew, and there were oh so many more like them. Who through personal sacrifice, persistence, and dedication, built there Empires too. They and their likes should never be forgotten, and this is just my attempt to try and ensure that they aren't.