Tony Petch’s article concerning the experiences and achievements of Graham Thompson was a great read. The lead photo, showing the Chas Izzard and Fred Seelig Leyland stand, at the 1959 Bairnsdale show, also brought back a few memories. Chas Izzard’s son, Malcolm, was a school mate of mine, and we both admired the British product. Fifty years on, I still have a set of 1950’s Leyland brochures that he gave me, so if you are out there somewhere Malcolm, they went to a good home. 

In late 1967, I commenced an apprenticeship with Manfred R.P. ‘Fred’ Seelig, a German ex-serviceman who immigrated here post-World War Two. Fred, as recounted in Tony Petch’s article, had bought out Chas Izzard. Those were the times when a business of this size often took on an apprentice each year. There were eleven employees including me; three mechanics, one of whom had just completed his time, a second-year apprentice, and two men in the pump room; the pump room was run by another of Fred’s compatriots, Hans Gestwa, who was as quiet as Fred was ebullient. There were three people in the office, and a store/spare parts man; in addition to the Leyland spares, there was a bearing, and Briggs and Stratton agency, as well as Perkins Diesel spares. 

I felt immensely privileged to become a part of the team as Leyland, togeth