Allan Reid

ALLAN MAXTED REID was born in Masterton, New Zealand on 5 July 1948. Allan's father, Charles, drove trucks in his early years before going on to operate draglines in local mine sites. He purchased his own dragline and transported it around with a petrol powered Commer and lowloader.

Allan was just 12 years old at the time and it wasn't too long before he became fascinated with the trucks and machinery his father carted, He says this was probably what led him to his first job as an apprentice motor mechanic at a service garage. He enjoyed the work but still had his fascination with trucks.

Allan's luck changed when he had the opportunity to transfer his apprenticeship to Modern Freighters Ltd, a refrigerated road transport company that serviced both the north and south Islands. On completion of his apprenticeship he transferred to driving duties. The company has a fleet of Leylands but their first truck was an S Bedford with a 370 Leyland engine which was Allan's entry into truck driving. After a short time he progressed into bigger and better trucks including a Leyland 680 Hippo with a bogie 34 foot fridge trailer. Then came a 1924 Mercedes Benz.

In 1989, Allan was ready for a change of scenery and he moved with his wife Raewyn and three sons, Scott, Craig and David. In the mid 1990s they purchased a 4964F Western Star and became a tow operator for Refrigerated Roadways. Five years on and one and a half million kilometres later Allan decided was time to return to his trade and have time at home with his family.

A call from a friend at Scott's Refrigerated at Yatala asking if Allan could do a couple of trips to Sydney turned into a five year stint driving a Kenworth B-Double. Eventually ill health forced Allan off the road to an easier way of life. He treasures his days on the road.

Allan is now retired and enjoying the nomadic life with Raewyn, touring the country in their caravan.