The late Tony Tomlinson was a long term and enthusiastic supporter of the Foundation and the creation of this website has been part-funded by a bequest in his will. Here he is remembered by Ken Lea (former Chairman of the Foundation) and Michael Hurdle (former Chairman of Marston’s Brewery) in the obituary which first appeared in the June 2021 issue of the Bentley Drivers Club Review.
What do you say about someone who has been so popular, so helpful and such an enthusiastic volunteer and advocate amongst us for so many years? Simply this: his approach to life was an example to us all. That is how we should remember and honour Tony, who has passed away aged 83, as the person he was.
I had known Tony (writes Ken) for many years in several settings not least of which was his career in transport where he was the manager responsible for the fleet maintenance of a large and varied fleet of commercial vehicles and cars for Marston, Thompson & Evershed. Tony spent all his working life with the brewery, having started as a garage mechanic, and quietly but successfully made his mark. Indeed (writes Michael), every vehicle he sent for an MoT passed first time, demonstrating that Tony was a perfectionist in all he did.
Tony’s time with the brewery coincided with my own time at Leyland Motors (adds Ken) and in recent years it had been a pleasure to share our common interest in such history.
As well as his military service, Midlands Region Member Tony was a pragmatic and skilful engineer, and he exercised this in his serious interest in Vintage Bentleys, where he was known for his high level of workmanship and his knowledge of engineering design.
He also possessed a detailed knowledge of many cars of all models and their owners, making his support of the Bentley Memorial Foundation invaluable. However, this interest was not confined to Vintage models and, aside from being an avid Mk VI Special builder, his knowledge of post-war cars up to the T Type was equally wide.
Another aspect of Tony’s character that deserves applause was his willingness to share with others his experiences of the cars and how to both build and maintain them. He freely gave advice and often followed it up with supporting notes and sketches.
Indeed (adds Michael), Tony did a marvellous job masterminding a full rebuild of my AC Open four-seater tourer and wouldn’t accept a penny for it. And after enthusing about attending a BDC trip in South Africa and encouraging me to join the Club, he loaned me his Mk VI Special to try on a tour, thus introducing me to the wonderful world of Bentleys and the BDC.
Tony was also a railway buff. He followed, as was highlighted in the Review, both WO’s early railway experience with Ivatt Atlantic engines of the Great Northern Railway and his experiences with steam in his later years.
I owe Tony an awful lot (concludes Michael), not only for the above but importantly for his friendship. A nicer, more genuine man one could not wish to meet.
