Men Who Make Transport-47
Page 26
Page 27
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
Lt.-Col. Williai [enry Slack
FOR some 28 years William Henry Slack has had a double-barrelled interest in transport. Right from his school-days his aim was in the direction of transport operation. He set out to learn about transport and, early in his career, his spare time was devoted to the military side of that subject.
Whilst he was acquiring his practical training under the keen eye of Mr. A. R. Fearnley, then general manager of Sheffield Passenger Transport Department, he was studying theory by means of part-time courses at Sheffield University's department of applied science. With the university training satisfactorily completed, his chief advised him to seek new fields where his talents might be more fully employed. This guidance resulted in the young man crossing the Pennines to take up an appointment as assistant transport manager of Lloyds Transport and Warehousing Co. (Manchester), Ltd., in 1937. By that time he had already held a commission in the R.A.S.C. for some four years.
By the middle 'thirties, many road transport undertakings were only just beginning to assume business-like methods. Those responsible for well-established fleets had to keep constant watch on the developments that were taking place around them. In addition to an enormous amount of general work, Mr. Slack surveyed routes for his company and, in particular. assisted with the development of services between Manchester and London.. Great success attended his efforts when he made the backbone of his fleet Guy vehicles with Gardner 4LK engines and aluminium bodies.
Stimulating progress was being made when the clouds of war started to threaten and, even before the declaration of hostilities, he found himself called up for service with the forces. Capt. Slack sailed for France in October, 1939, throughout that campaign being officer-in-charge of an R.A.S.C, mobile workshop. Then came the fall of France and the evacuation, at which time he moved by sea to Cherbourg and thence by rail, road and foot to St. Nazaire, by good luck narrowly missing the " Lancastria " disaster.
He returned to England, the next step being a staff captaincy at the R.A.S.C. mobilization centre in Yorkshire. This formed a prelude to his becoming Maj. Slack and appointment as a Deputy Assistant Director of Supplies and Transport to the First Army, which was destined for Algiers. The landing of the vehicles was duly arranged and put into action, and when the position in the area was established Maj. Slack became what was virtually the local licensing authority for civilian transport. His activities in this territory brought him a Mention in Dispatches.
Command of a bulk petrol transport company was followed by another D.A.D.S.T. appointment and then by seconding to the United States IV Corps in a liaison capacity that involved assisting with a variety of joint problems that arose in the advance from Florence to Milan. The work performed in this connection brought a Commendation from the U.S. authorities.
That was at Milan. A return to British Command followed, coupled with promotion to lieutenant-colonel and appointment as A.D.S.T. 86 Army Area, with headquarters at Venice and responsibility for vehicles, petrol dumps, supply depots and boats.
The war was over and a difficult decision was to be made—to stay on with the rank of temporary full colonel or to return to civilian life. He took the second choice and in 1946 became general transport manager of W. J. Brookes
and Sons, Ltd., with whom he continued until the end of 1949.
On New Year's Day, 1950, he became the first holder of the position of transport officer to the newly established North Western Gas Board, this time with responsibility for such things as mobile plant and mechanical shovels, as well as ordinary items of road transport.
Shortly after the re-establishment of the Army Emergency Reserve, Lt.-Col. Slack was back in spare-time harness with plenty of evening and week-end work, but with an interesting difference—he was able to have a holiday, whereas, like other reserve army enthusiasts of pre-war days, he had had to carry out training during his vacations.
Army experience brought an expert knowledge of radio. As a result, he planned a V.H.F. system for the North Western Gas Board, which, particularly in emergencies, enables headquarters to maintain constant contact with men out on the job. Not only has this development saved fleet mileage, but it may well have been instrumental in saving life.
Because of his great belief in the need to enhance the status of the profession of transport management, Lt.-Col. Slack has taken an interest in the Institute of Transport for some 30 years, and this year has succeeded to the position of honorary secretary of the Manchester Section. Membership of a professional association he feels to be of the utmost importance, for the knowledge thus acquired enables men to speak on terms of equality with other members of the industry. In addition to his Institute membership, he is a member of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers and of the Society of Automobile Engineers.
His life is almost entirely devoted to transport of one kind or another, but those who would like to see him in a different thle need only attend High Lane Parish Church, where, each Sunday morning, he reads the lesson.