Robert Thompson “Bob”

ROBERT WILLIAM THOMPSON (Bob) was born the 4th child of Cecil and Ivy Thompson on 15 of November 1928 in Glenelg S.A. He was the first boy in a family of 14 children. Bob's first driving job was for JC Kneebone of Port Victoria in 1947. There Bob learnt his craft of trucking, carting super to farmers from Wallaroo to Port Victoria, Sandilands, Urania and Waraultree in as KS International tray top and wooden four wheel trailer.

Bob worked for many companies over the years, including H.R Lurceer of Meningie, A. Burley of Minlaton, Cadd's of Warooka, B. Godson of Yorketown, K Caldicott of Keith, C. Sparnon of Adelaide, Nick Norris of Adelaide, Leon Hornby of Adelaide, K. Caldicott of Keith and Ansett Freight Express (AFE) from their Adelaide Depot. Keen to start his own business Bob purchased his own delivery truck and for the next three years delivered locally for AFE.

After a few years, Bob decided to move to Western Australia where he tried his hands at many things. Driving trucks was always a fallback and he drifted into and out of the industry for a while. In Esperance he worked for Graeme Shepardson followed by Palmer's carting from Norseman to Esperance in road trains. Home was calling so it was back to Port Victoria to live. He bought another delivery truck in Adelaide and did that for 3-1/2 years before retiring. Trucking was not far away and he whenever he got the opportunity, he worked for local farmers during harvest. In 1991 he started working harvest with C. Dutschke where he stayed for 28 harvests.

In 2018 Bob officially retired by handing in his HC licence just before his 90th birthday, he had been on the road for 71 years. Over the years Bob has driven many types of vehicles including Internationals of many models, AEC Mammoth Major, Leyland Comet, S Model Bedford, Commer Diesel, Dodge Delivery truck, Hino