Des Bolton
Starting with just one truck in 1956, in 30 years he built Cargo Carriers into one of the world’s largest privately owned trucking companies of 2500 trucks and trailers. He was also the owner of Searles Footwear Company of Great Brak River in the southern Cape. He was 63 when he passed away in 1986. His two sons, Garth and Murray, continue his good work.

Barry Osler
Negotiator, motivator and family man, founder and director of ADE, Barry died in the SAA Helderberg aircraft disaster in November 1987. Working out of IDC headquarters in Sandton with a 20-man team, Barry’s work was to establish and lead the R450-million Atlantis Diesel Engine project. A meticulous engineer and the perfect gentleman.

Michael Robert Hamilton Holmes a Court
Born in SA of British parents in 1937, Holmes a Court became one of SA’s most successful businessmen. He studied agricultural science at New Zealend’s Massey University and then moved to Perth, Australia, in 1962 to study law at the University of Western Australia. It was claimed that he was at one time the richest man in Australia, sharing that honour with Alan Bond. He owned the mining group Bell Bros of Western Australia which was at one time the ERF distributor for thay territory. He attempted to gain control of Ansett Airlines and Britain’s Rolls Royce car division. He also owned vast tracts of land in Australia including Pastoral, the country’s largest cattle ranch. He died on 1 September 1990, aged 53, of a heart attack.

Alf Cook
Managing director of Foden SA for many years, Alf died aged 81 in July 2008.

Jock Swanson
Came to SA in 1959 from Glasgow, Scotland. Worked for Rio Rita Transport (Clive and Frank Woolley) and also for Foden under Alf Cook. Passed away on September 19 2008, aged 81. Often known as the Turffontein Highlander.

Jack Webster, FIRTE
Came to SA in 1937 at age 17, and died on October 3, 2007 at 88. A life very much dedicated to the trucking industry in SA, he worked for JH Plane and Leyland South Africa. Very much an expert on vehicle legislation. An outspoken, no-nonsense individual who never lost his strong Yorkshire accent.

Leslie Boyd
Came to SA from his native Scotland very many years ago and died on March 28 2008. He was a high-powered executive director of Anglo American, a hands-on, no-nonsense man who loved his Jaguar cars.

JH (Jack) Plane
Came to SA from his native Derbyshire in the early 1950’s and was associated with Gardner engines and later with AEC. He built up a vast engineering empire in SA (JH Plane Pty Ltd), assisted by his brother Cyril. He became managing director of Leyland Australia and Leyland South Africa and was also a director of Leyland Motors Ltd, UK. At one time he was the largest shareholder of Leyland Motors Ltd. A tough individual in all respects, who never minced his words. He died some years ago and was buried in Perth, Australia.