Driver's report
Page 26
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
When the managing director of H. Summers Ltd.. of Felixtowe, received the following driver's report which had apparently been written during working hours, he gave immediate consideration to rescheduling his vehicles. "It must have taken half a working day to compose it"; he said.
The report is published without alteration.
A report on the events and happenings of October's 14.
15. & 16.
Early on the morning of the 14th of October, I proceeded in a northerly direction towards Grangemouth, Scotland.
I had gone but a few miles when, to my utter astonishment and dismay, the silencer of my vehicle became divorced from the exhaust pipe of the same. I took it upon myself to remedy this slight mishap and, with spanner in hand, completed the job in less than half an hour.
I carried on my way, and after I had gone but a few more miles I recognized the unmistakeable and distinct smell of diesel oil. Indeed, I was right, three of the vehicle's injector pipes were leaking profusely. Using my unparalled initiative I begged (from a garage) a spanner with which to correct this new-found fault. But, alas, I managed only to correct two of the offenders and, as the other was irrepairable, it was left to leak throughout the journey.
It was when I was nearing Grantham that I became aware of the fact that the temperature gauge was reading more than the average and I again stopped to investigate. I found to my relief that the engine only needed refilling with water, and not (as I feared) extinguishing.
I proceeded on my way, stopping every 30-50 miles or so to refill with water, or when it became hilly every 10-12 miles. The engine started to sound unhealthier and unhealthier until eventually it did indeed sound as though it were on its last legs (or wheels as the case may be).
Upon reaching the capital of Scotland, I communicated with base H.Q. and transferred the above information regarding the condition of the vehicle. I was told to proceed in a southerly direction and pick up. a returnable load from whence I came when I was nearer to home, or use my own discretion.
I decided upon a load from Heysham for Martlesham, but after a lot of confusion via telephonic communications, and the fact that my vehicle was sounding rather unwell, and was still using vast quantities of H.O. I took it upon myself to return the vehicle home as best I could.
I estimate (roughly) that I filled the , vehicle's radiator cooling system 33-36
times throughout the course of the journey.