A photo of Fred Dinsdale’s vehicle recovery transport, c. 1940s. He operated his business from Yarm Lane.
Photograph and details courtesy of Pam Painter (Dinsdale).
Fred Dinsdale’s vehicle recovery transport
Picture Stockton Archive
A Pictorial History of Stockton-on-Tees
In the late 1950’s, I recall there being a ‘Penny Farthing’ bicycle in the showroom. It was leaning against the wall in a very grubby state. It was never used. I remember Pam Dinsdale when we used to go to the barn dances in the Corporation Hall, West Row, on Saturday nights. Our group were mainly from Grangefield Grammar School, although we did mix. Alex Fishburn comes to mind from Hind Street & was a pupil at Stockton Grammar School situated in Norton Road. Happy days when children [us] enjoyed life.
Wonder how many of us are left. I resided in Hartburn Lane.
Happy days indeed..Hartburn Lane… Ropner Park, my territory. Did you know Tug Wilson, Jimmy Jamieson?
Hello John,
Thank you for your reply. I have no knowledge of the two boys you mention. Mr & Mrs Jamieson had the middle shop facing Hartburn Lane. Mr Jamieson worked at the Furness shipyard where my father was one of the bosses. His wife ran the shop [baby clothes, etc], Mr & Mrs Bullock had the right hand of the three shops – a newsagents. The left of the three was Mr Easton, the Barber. I don’t know if the Jamieson’s had any children, but if they did they would be 10/15 years older than us. Billy Bullock, the son, was of that age.
The only Wilson I know of was Mr. WC Wilson who lived at No. 18. Family never mixed with anyone. He was General Manager of Stockton Corporation buses. He always walked very quickly to work, as didn’t have car. Would never use one of his buses. There was a son who I think joined the Navy. We local kids never had anything to do with them. I mixed with Devonshire Street children, as Hartburn Lane was the main road. Groomsman at my wedding was Brian Dargie, who stated at the depot as a Motor mechanic when he was 15. I’ve unfortunately lost touch with him, but did notice his success about 15 years ago when I saw his name on side of a bus
…… Brian Dargie, Chief Engineer. My other pal was Glyn Jones of Oakdene Avenue, who was killed in an aircraft crash in Africa about 35 years ago.
Hi David,…I recall the shops you mentioned…the Jamesons had a son James/Jimmy and the Wilson’s you refer to also had a son with nickname Tug…both these boys were in my class at Grangefield…sounds like a few years before you.
Did you know the Crosses in Devonshire …
Don’t know the others you mentioned, again probably younger than me. My location was Arlington St. Did you know David Dickinson? I think he may have attended Grangefield at same time as you, he was a friend and neighbour of mine.
Hello John,
I enjoyed your reply. Norma Cross lived in no. 4 Devonshire Street. Our back doors were almost opposite. She was older than me, so we never mixed. The Drydens at no. 17 were my age group, as were Norma Jennings, Margaret Minto, |Sandra Robinson. In Hartburn Lane were Robin Palmer, Michael & John Richardson. Also, Billy Peake who never mixed with our crowd. I started at Grangefield in 1954. I knew a friend of Annette Currey [83Northcote St] who resided in Arlington St, but cannot recall her name. The Stellings were next door but one to Annette. Annette had a good friend called Margaret Smallwood who resided in Hind Street. Brian Dargie resided in Winston Street – his Dad was a Bus Conductor and always worked the No.1 bus [High St – Haverton Hill]. It’s surprising what you remember from so long ago.
This would appear to have been taken on Shaftsbury St., just next to where the Dinsdale garage was. On the left is No.12 Shaftsbury St., before it had a full width extension to the upper floor, removing the gabled dormer shown. The trees would have been on the land next to No.59 Yarm Lane (where the dental practice is now). The side wall & rear outrigger of No.59 of can be seen behind the trees. In the background are the roofs at the rear of houses on Outram St.
Somebody with more knowledge might know what make of car the recovery truck was originally? The closest I got was a Hispano Suiza H6C 🙂
Sorry, I was getting mixed up with the garages. We used to get our fuel from the garage on Yarm Road who operated wagons, which was demolished to make way for the A66. I can’,t for the love of me remember the name, but I’m sure it was Fred something. I think he had a car with the reg APY1B.
Didn’t Dinsdales have a fighter jet on the gantry outside at some point.
I think the garage Steve was thinking of was F&F Robinson, situated where the Premier Inn/Wetherspoons now stands.
That’s it, thank you.
Good to hear from you guys – I am Bill’s eldest daughter – we lived in a flat in the bit that was bombed!! I now drive a Fiat500 electric !!
Pam
I served five years also with a small private village garage at the same time as Fred Dinsdales existed.
Lets not forget the other garages that existed well within a short distance of Dinsdales.
Newmans Garage opposite corner of Dinsdales, Bensons, also very close and as mentioned, Wheatelys Garage, a little further away under the bridge was Oxbridge Motors a Ford dealership.
Very Happy Days.
We used that garage to get fuel for the wagons and company cars when I started at Dickens way back in 1982.
I began my working life as an apprentice mechanic at Dinsdale’s in 1963 Sadly that lovely old truck was long gone by then and the only vehicle we had for breakdown use was a 109 Land Rover pickup truck. I really enjoyed my time there I worked 5 1/2 days a week in the workshop and Sunday mornings I was on the petrol pumps working with Jack or Billy Dinsdale. Fred Dinsdale, the founder was still around then living in his apartment behind the showroom . Happy days that set me up for a long career in the motor trade Terry Owens
I remember his salesroom/garage in Yarm Lane,..opposite Wheatleys garage…sold Rover cars I believe!..