MR ROBERT JOHN GAWLEY

Before being a truck driver, I was a trawler-man. After my boat was sunk by another ship while berthing, I used the insurance money to start the haulage business. I had bought a truck to buy wholesale from Covent Garden market. The deal for the shop fell through. This was the accidental beginning of my haulage business.

This was the first business that I thoroughly enjoyed. I ran several one-man businesses at the age of 21. I only had a basic education, but I was always mechanically minded and good with my hands. After World War II, Britain needed workers with practical skills.

My earlier businesses were removals, printing and publishing, fishing, and then my trucking business. In between, I had a variety of jobs. I was certainly a jack of all trades. I worked in advertising for about five years, and in 1961 after a row with my superior, I left with only 35 pounds in savings.

Most peculiar of all, I was a top salesman. I do not mean I sold kids' toys, especially not tops. No, though I have never made friends easily, and I find that most people seem to irritate me. Put me in front of a customer, and I seem to be able to change my personality and become a nice person. Weird.

I hate socialising, idle talk, and general chit-chat, but leave me to sell some crap, whether advertising or crappy sewing machines and vacuum cleaners and I am unbeatable.

358 468104295 Note, I do not answer unsolicited phone calls. Please text me first.