Arthur Thompson

MORPETH ROTARY - FROM TRAWLERBOY TO AIRFIELD ENGINEER

Recent new member Arthur Thompson looked back on his career following his recent 80th birthday. Brought up in Chopwell, his parents were publicans. He worked in pub cellars from the age of 9. Not taking to the education offered by Hookergate Grammar School, he left and joined the merchant navy. He rapidly moved on from trawlerboy, to erecting pylons and then started in heavy haulage. He had no driving test but by 21 was eligible to drive lorries with box trailers, and low loaders carrying equipment for Parsons Turbines, and delivering ship propellers. He worked for Siddle Cook and Jobling Purser with many long distance journeys. In Saudi Arabia with Aramco, he transported houses on timber rafts 12 metres wide, and helped with joint ventures between Saudi and German companies, building houses in the desert. A move to management in highway and airfield maintenance in the Middle East, led on to airfield contracts in the UK and Ireland. Some of the companies were sold to international organisations, so Arthur went on to become an area manager covering north east England, Scotland and Ireland. He worked with Baltic wood, developing contacts in Finland, Estonia, and Latvia, and there was more airfield work in Abu Dhabi. He was Chairman of the North East Branch of the Highways and Transportation Institute, and worked as a consultant for two years. Since retiring aged 72, he has joined a number of committees supporting the local community.