Two vehicles belonging to Smith Maddiston, the company used to be located on Portrack in Stockton. Photograph courtesy of Mr Paul M Bruce. 
Picture Stockton Archive
A Pictorial History of Stockton-on-Tees
Two vehicles belonging to Smith Maddiston, the company used to be located on Portrack in Stockton. Photograph courtesy of Mr Paul M Bruce.
Picture Stockton Archive 
Is anyone about who worked for S O M.
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Worked at the Stockton depot as a Driver from 1977 till it shut down in 1983.
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Those of us who stayed in the village of Maddiston were proud to have Smith of Maddiston operate from the village. The owners were very religious and built a local hall in Maddiston called the “Bethesda Hall” during the mid 50s. A bedford van used to go around the village with Bethesda Hall singers – stopping at various places around the village – giving out messages about the church meetings – all are welcome. We used to love it. At that time any free treats were most welcome – cups of tea and biscuits and cakes. Jolly nice!
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Is anyone knocking about from Smiths Depot in Newton Le Willows it’s been a long time now I still remember a lot of good times. Alan Green.
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My husband Dave Cunliffe and his dad Frank Cunliffe worked at Newton le Willows my husband started as a young lad of 15 and is 65 next month
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Hello, Just found this page and wondered if anyone can confirm if Smiths run any of the Guy big Js with the 8LXB 240 bhp gardner engine in. If anyone has any photos of one front and rear of cab, could they please post on here. Thanks Dean
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Yes Dean they did the first one I know of was L reg: 1973 to at least 1976. They had to lift the cab higher to make it fit.
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I have a photograph of my dad Joe Tierney on his way through Glencoe in a new Guy OWG 24G.
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My dad Bobby [Robert] Cartwright worked out of the London Road depot sadly he passed away 20/08/16 but yes a great company with terrific staff.
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HI ROBERT…I WORKED WITH YOUR DAD…IN SMITH OF MADDISTON, LONDON ROAD….AND A SHORT TIME IN TARTAN ARROW, DALMARNOCK ROAD….NICE GUY, WHO DIDNT SUFFER FOOLS GLADLY…
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Thanks Eddie for your kind reply
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My dad Joe Tierney worked for Smith of Maddiston in the late 60s and 70s as a driver out of their Doncaster yard at Arksey. Anyone remember him?
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Yes I remember your dad. I worked for a few months at Doncaster in the office with a guy called Glen Wood. I was from Newton le Willows depot.
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How do Edward Cooney. I’m glad to hear you knew my dad Joe Tierney (rip) who sadly passed away on the 24/11/16 he was a driver for Smith of Maddiston at their Doncaster yard at Arksey, he spent most of time driving in & around Scotland. Dad was originally from St. Helens. I’d be interested to hear if you could recall anyone else that worked at the Aksey yard.
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I left Smith of Maddiston in 1986 I worked there at Newton and Manchester when they closed Newton down I wold like to hear from anyone who was there. Regards Alan.
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Hi John, my dad worked at the Newton depot, Rodney Bridge, unfortunately he passed away tonight,
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Hi David I am sorry to hear about your dad I knew him well the best foreman we had, I should know I worked out Newton for almost thirteen years and ended being transferred to Manchester I was there seventeen years in all. Your dad never saw anyone stuck he would always help them, a good lad. Again David I am sorry for your loss. Regards Alan.
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I worked for Smith of Maddison in Birmingham depot in 1968 to 1972, Wallie Butler a very good mate. I have not seen Wallie for years.
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Just seen e.m Ken. Wally Butler died in 87. What you doing now?. You must be my age by now. Not many of us left.
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Derek,
Please could you tell me where the birmingham depot was? I understand it used to be A.E Morris and it was somewhere on Wellington road Handsworth, Thank You
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I. Worked. At. N le. Willow s1963. 1971. Drivers. Mate. And. Hgv. Shinier. Trunk. Drivers. Biill. Blair John. Anderson. And. Others. Jimmy grant Daves. Ness. And. Many. More
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Hi Dave – I worked at Stockton with Doug Bird and Derek Nevison who were relatives but sadly have passed away now Kings of the road they were, real proffessionals. Such a shame the place closed down a lot of good staff moved on who were good friends.
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Does any one know what happened to Keith Britton, he would have been at Stockton about 1978 and working out smiths Bainsford depot, Falkirk.
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Was he a softly spoken lad, would have done large deliveries to Woolworths for NCL, if so he lives on the site of the old Stockton and Thornaby hospital on Bowesfield Lane.
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I remember who I think was George Blaycock and his boss Keith Catle.
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Hi Colin, I was a fitter at stockton depot, started when they were at thornaby. I remember Doug very well, night trunk driver. Still drink with Mick Clarke who I think was one of Dougies nephews.
John cogan.
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I’ve only just stumbled on this page and recognise a lot of the Smith of Maddiston names! I worked in the traffic office at various SofM locations from 1970 to 1976 – worked with Peter Duncan at Maddiston and with Fred Cooney at the Reads site office in Liverpool. Christine Farley – you dad John was one of my mates at Liverpool – he made me feel right at home and was one of the friendliest guys you could ever meet and we used to have a few beers in the pub most nights after work! ‘Mac’ McLoughlin was the depot manager – a real character and he was very good to me during my time there. I was often invited to Sunday lunch at his house with his wife Freda and son Leigh and I saw many a game with them at Goodison Park as they were Everton season ticket holders. Hard to believe that was all nearly 40 years ago!
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My name is Edward Cooney I worked at Newton Depot and later at our contract site Reads at Aintree. I was called Fred in those days. I worked with Ralph McLoughlin, Keith Cattle, Harold Gilmore and may more Peter Duncan came down to work at Newton for a while. Good days.
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Hello Edward. Are you the Fred that used to work with my Dad John Farley?
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Hello Christine. Did John Farley work in Liverpool shunting at a factory called Reeds where they made all kinds of metal cans and drums? If so I worked with him for while until they shut the Mewton le Willows depot.
Brian
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Hello Brian I don’t know if you remember Alan Green. I worked at Newton Depot for years I think you were the yard lad with David Cunningham.
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I worked with John Farley for about 10 years
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Hello Christine my name is Alan Green I worked with your dad at Newton I saw a lot of him when he was transferred to Reads I gave him a lift home and I met you and your Mam a lot of fond memories. Regards Alan.
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Yes Christine I am, loved your dad as he was a great friend and colleague in those days. Every time I see Randolph Scott in westerns reminds me of your dad and if Monica Lisa ever gets sung then you will know who I think about…Eddy (Fred)
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I remember you very well Fred. I worked at Newton till they closed the depot then I was transferred to Manchester. I was there 17 years in all. Regards Alan Green.
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I used to work in the office at Smith of Maddison, the Manager – I can’t remember his name – hired me because he said I had nice teeth …….. no page long CVs in those days. Think it must have been about 1970 I worked there, then I went over the road to work at Greenwoods, left there to go to Crossley’s Builders on Norton Road, met and married my ex husband and left for Guernsey in 1977 – for 3 months ………….. still here, time flies. I love looking back at all the pictures and memories on this site.
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the name you are looking for is Andrew frater as I was at the maddiston depot in 1968 then moved to the hangers at grangmouth I can supply a list of names if required Andrew Cochrane from maddiston
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I worked at Smiths Thornaby Depot in Robert Street and then at Portrack Lane, Stockton. I was a fitter and worked with Wilf Stokel, Charlie Mac,and Phil Clegg. Great firm, great lads.
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Dear John,
Charlie McWilliams was my Dad. He has passed away now. I am John , his oldest son and now live in Adelaide, Australia, with my wife, children and grandchildren. I used to walk my son, in his pram on a Saturday morning to see his Grandad and trucks at Thornaby. I have a couple of model trucks and trailers of Smith’s trucks.
Pleased to hear from you and surprised to see Dad’s name on it.
Regards
John
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Hello John. Just browsing the site and seen your reply to my earlier post. I worked with Charlie for a number of years he used to take me for a pint after work on a saturday in the Flying Dutchman, I had to buy because he said he was learning me the tricks of the trade, mainly picking his tools up and making his tea. A real gent.
John
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I worked for smiths (well united transport as it became) in the late eighties in the manchester depot on north street in the late eighties before it shut. My boss there was Keith Cattle that had been the manager at stockton before it shut down. What a great firm to work for it was.
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“Lodge” Mooney, I remember you well, didn’t you leave SoM and take on driving tankers?
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My father drove for Smiths out of Maddiston in the 50″s. He still talks about it today. Does anyone remember jimmy cairns?
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My father John Clarke known as NOBBY used to drive for Smith of Maddiston at Portrack.He had many happy years working for the firm and still misses it today.If anyone remembers him please get in touch at DIDDYMINI@SKY.COM. Thankyou Lisa
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My Grandfather Peter Duncan was the manager at Smith of Maddiston for many a hard year, he loved it and would be a valuable source of information. If you have any questions please e-mail to me at robertanthony223@hotmail.com and I will gladly pass them on to him. Many Thanks Robert
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I was one time in conversation with a Smith Maddison Long distance Driver. He was trapped in snow drifts, along with a lot more vehicles, up in Scotland. He thought it was great because he was there getting paid and he had all the provisions in his cab to last for a long time. The Police were amazed in what he had in the cab. He told me on his one day off per week he would go to the local Supermarket and stock up for his travels. In his cab was a bed, fridge facilities for making his meals tea and being able to get washed. The only trouble was that when he had to have holidays he would argue with the Management so they would not let any other driver use his vehicle. He treated it like a 2nd home. In fact he spent more time with the lorry than in his own house.
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I once met up with a driver from S&M. He drove all week on long distance but on a Saturday he would go to the Supermarket and get all his rations for the following week. This was for his next weeks work away from home. During one of the bad winters he was snowed in in Scotland with many more lorries asnd motorists. He was interviewed and was on TV. He said that it could last forever showinmg his stocks of food, bedding and cooking facilities. He could have been there for the duration. Then when it came upto holiday time he would tell his staff that his lorry should not be used by other drivers as he treated it as his home.
aturday
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I am on the look out all the time for more information and photos of this transport company can you help?
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Send me your email address and I will sort something out.I have only just found this site so it may be a bit late
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Apologies for the delay in contacting you, Picture Stockton will forward on my email address.
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