Richard Collett II passed away on February 9, 2024, aged 81. For many years before his retirement in his late 70s, Richard served as the chairman of UK heavy haulage specialist Collett & Sons.
Born on August 26, 1942, Richard worked on his father’s farm and at his milk collection business from an early age, helping with milking the herd as well as going out with drivers in the wagons collecting milk from local farms and delivering to dairies.
In 1960, he married Patricia and went on to have five sons: Richard, David, Lincoln, Mark and Michael. He then moved to Moorfield Farm at Wainstalls in Halifax where he started a new operating base continuing with farming and milk collections.
In 1964, Richard formed a partnership with his father and the company became R Collett and Son. Apart from milk collection they also worked for West Cumberland Farmers delivering animal feed. Initially, running a small fleet of about eight used trucks, he did all the wagon repairs himself until seeking help in the garage and additionally in 1975 his eldest son Richard became a mechanic upon leaving school.
In 1975, Richard formed the company R. Collett & Sons (Transport) and with five sons potentially coming into the business he turned to heavy haulage, purchasing his first low loader the following year as well as a small second-hand single axle crane low loader trailer.
He was buried at the Mount Pleasant cemetery in Wainstalls on March 1, with his last journey being carried on the back of his vintage 1952 Bedford O-type milk wagon.Richard Collett II passed away on February 9, 2024, aged 81. For many years before his retirement in his late 70s, Richard served as the chairman of UK heavy haulage specialist Collett & Sons.
