Dick Hampton

[Nick Drew]

I have heard tales about Dick's wife taking the controls on a D8 and by all accounts she could handle one and all !!

Not sure if it was true or simply an urban myth ?? Hopefully Charlie can fill us in with the details

Nick

[charlie one]

Construction News had an excellent article/interview with the man himself when he retired (sold out to Costain?) many years ago. The older among us may remember it

Told how he and his wife started out plowing, double-shifting a Fordson to put the hours in.

He also said that the biggest loss he made was working on Cumbernauld new town muckshift. It's the Scottish conditions you see.............

Anyone have a copy? I've looked through my cuttings but don't have it.

Dave.

Very true Dave.Dick did make a loss at Cumbernauld,but also did make a lot of money at Hamilton(M74),Townhead Interchange. Tarbert Bypass,Cambletown,Ninewells at Dundee etc.I remember driving a TS14 From Lesmahagow to Cambletown.In the early 60s all the rubber tyred scrapers were moved by road in those days This was in November 63 Long old trip.Mind you I was a lot younger and fitter.There were Two of us and the escort.I think we stopped at every pub from the Rest and be Thankful to Cambletown.Just to get warm you understand Regards Charlie

[d4c24a]

hello charlie one and welcome
we have a ex hamptons employee at work ,he is in his early 70,s and worked in the M.T dept looking after the lorries etc
he was there in the 60,s his name is Don Hawkins and he still lives in the binstead area
cheers graham

[charlie one]

hello charlie one and welcome
we have a ex hamptons employee at work ,he is in his early 70,s and worked in the M.T dept looking after the lorries etc
he was there in the 60,s his name is Don Hawkins and he still lives in the binstead area
cheers graham

Hi Graham.The only Don I remember was a sparky.Used to know all the m/t fitters.Funny they used to be called mechanics.We drivers called them plumbers! Ask Don if he remembers me. Thanks for the welcome Best regards Charlie

[charlie one]

I have heard tales about Dick's wife taking the controls on a D8 and by all accounts she could handle one and all !!

Not sure if it was true or simply an urban myth ?? Hopefully Charlie can fill us in with the details

Nick

Yes indeed Nick Rosemary Hampton could handle a machine.Never saw her on a D8 But did watch her grading wirh a D7 Blade Nasty temper on her.So had Dick.Rember dropping him off at Heathrow one morning.I then drove up to Morpeth to meet him.He flew to Newcastle and was picked up by the agent.I was 20 mins later than the time he estimated I would be there.He was going to sack me.He calmed down after a while.Paid the shillings on time and never questioned my time sheet.Fair enough.Enough rabbiting on. Regards Charlie

[tim]

Hello Charlie did they run many of their own low loaders when you worked there Tim

[John Gaunt]

Welcome to CMN, Charlie, looking forward to seeing your pictures and hearing you stories

[charlie one]

Hello Charlie did they run many of their own low loaders when you worked there Tim

Hi Tim.Yes Hamptons did have quite a few road vehicles.When I first started there they had two Scammells 28 gho and 34 cho.Both with 150 Gardeners. One would do 26 mph and the other could only manage 25mph.Imagine the chaos when one attempted to overtake the other on a dual carriageway. Later another Scammell was added with a 680 leyland and an air clutch! What a goer.As i said before the old Foden with coachbuilt cab(wood) was very slow as well.Also an ERF tractor unit with a ballast box which was used for towing mainly 635 scrapers.Bit of a nightmare job as they weighed 16 tons and going downhill tended to push you a lot.I always carried several pairs of clean trousers with me.A Guy Warrior wih a 505 AEC engine.Although it was underpowered,it stopped a bit better than tha ERF having three axles.Also several TK Bedfords which were used for spares runs etc.I once towed a 463 from Baldock to Hendon with one.Only had a 330 engine. took all day.Thats enough for one day.I'm out of hours.Regards Charlie.

[tim]

Thanks for that Charlie,I lived in Haslemere and then Chiddingfold in the 60's and i remember seeing a Dick Hampton Bedford TK dropside towing a scraper box towards Bentley on the A31 near Farnham Station and some TK tippers working on the Hogs Back widening between Puttenham and the Hogs Back hotel. All the best Tim

[Rolyd8k]

Charlie,do you remember Mick Weale,known as "Muppet"when later he worked
for MJ Rolls,a couple a pictures might remind you of him when he operated a D9
and 637 scraper


URL of the original image: http://i481.photobucket.com/albums/rr179/rolyd8k/mick.jpg

URL of the original image: http://i481.photobucket.com/albums/rr179/rolyd8k/mick2.jpg