Catton - Circa 1946

Jack (John David) Thompson – son of John Vincent Thompson – carries on the business after discharge from the RAF after second world war. Failing health had caused dad to close the business in the early forties. With his £48 gratuity money he stocked the shop, although ration books made a lot of work. He married in 1950 and had one daughter. As trade built up the hand operated pumps were replaced with electric ones – one in 1965 and the other five years later. But trade began dropping off when the big new petrol stations opened up. Profits were cut to the bone and petrol companies began charging 1p a gallon on small orders from the little private traders. He traded till his death in 1982, his wife carried on for a year or two but finally the shop was converted into part of the house in the late 80’s. The very day the shop ceased trading 10 vintage Bentleys drew up in front of the pumps to mark the occasion.