History – Life of a coachman

Thomas Schofield Ramsbottom was the grandson of Albertlanders who settled in Wellsford. As a young man he helped his father on the Wellsford-Warkworth coach service then in 1908 moved to Warkworth to work for a grocery firm. He left that business in 1920 and for six years handled the mail coach service between Warkworth and Kaipara Flats.Tom was a thoughtful man with a great sense of humour which proved very handy during his coaching days. Trips were often fraught with drawbacks, mostly due to the appalling state of roads which turned into mud and clay bogs when it rained. Tom’s horses, harness and coaches were always in immaculate order and he left on each journey with a whistle and a jaunty farewell. He was just as cheerful at the end of each and every trip, regardless of time, effort and problems encountered.

‘Service’ was always the motto and Tom never failed to deliver a message or procure something wanted by settlers in remote areas. He was popular with both locals and visitors as his fame and accomplishments spread over the wider district.

A practical joker in the most harmless way, he could also take a joke. However, on one occasion he got fed up with a foolish young local who threw stones at the horses each time the coach went past. Biding his time, Tom collared the lad and put him in a sack, finally releasing him about two or three miles out of town. That worked; the young man never threw stones again and grew up to be a respected citizen.

After 1926, Tom was for some years on a school bus run and later on drove the bread van when he was semi-retired. A keen sportsman, he played football in his early youth and hockey when it began in 1909, representing Rodney in 1919-20.

Thomas Schofield Ramsbottom passed away at Whitianga in 1960 in his 80th year, survived by his wife and four children.