:fore you say Jack .
Page 84
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
GUILDHALL, Portsmouth, he setting for an anniverluncheon thrown by ;hats of Hampshire for "Mr — J. H. Sparshatt — and ; an appropriate time to Jack at both his remarkable ar career and the growth of ;hatts.
; luncheon was held on the 1st suitable date to his 74th jay; it was kept as a surtill a late date.
is business had been Jed by J. H. Sparshatt t, Jack's father, in 1920, had recognised the patenwhile in the army in the t War. His career had deed from an apprenticeship Curtiss and Sons, a removal ipany based in Old mouth. Fortunately, this encouraged Jack's father to lop his own business.
a 1920s saw rapid changes 3nsport and Jack, through gy and love of his work, bean asset to his father, eight their relationship was vithout its stormy passages. shatts — and many customepresented at the luncheon rvived the trade depression le Twenties where many ;mouth businesses did not. 1.S. grew in stature in the petitive transport world and sold hundreds of lorries; he became "Sparshatts" to many people. He was the oldest son and definitely the leader; his father passed more responsibility to his son, who steered the company through the Second World War (Mr Sparshatt senior died in 1947).
At this time Jack's brother, George, was doing a fine job in Southampton; Sparshatt was obtaining a national reputation. Coachbuilding was a major part of the business, new designs were developed and new depots opened. By the late Sixties it was a major commercial vehicle distributor and coachbuilder, and Jack would be keen to share the credit with other members of his family and senior managers involved — many present at the luncheon.
The last convenient period to consider is 1972-83. Was it a mistake to sell out to Wadhams? A member of the family comments: "If it was, it has again through Jack's wisdom and experience been rectified. The tradition is still intact. By Jack ensuring that his eldest son, David, received the best training available, it eventually resulted in him having the experience to take the initiative and found his own company, Spartrucks, the Mercedes-Benz distributor; for Roger, his nephew, to have the courage and initiative to do the same in Kent; and for Jack, with his sons Robin and Philip to reestablish the coachbuilding industry previously owned by Sparshatts and now once again intent on developing and expanding the traditions that cornmenced in Old Portsmouth many generations previously."