Doug Reed
Doug Reed


Castle Garage was central to village life, so when Doug Reed died in 2001, aged 82, everybody had a story to tell. They said that while with the Royal Army Service Corps in East Africa during World War II he had celebrated his 21st birthday crossing the equator and later survived being ambushed. Some remembered that, as you drove in, a bell rang in his workshop and he'd put down his spanners to come out and serve when he was ready. Those who kept ringing the bell were told 'You're not getting served here'. He'd rather not take their money. Others recalled him as gruff and cantankerous, refusing to touch your vehicle if you'd 'messed with it' yourself. Regulars suggested that he wanted people to know that wasn't going to be put upon. They said Doug was straight with you and he expected you to be straight back.

People spoke about how he had made sure that they always got through their MOT and how he had literally come to their rescue more than once, and often insisted there would be no charge. A few recollected him being flexible enough with regular customers that he'd give them a tankful even when the sign said 'Closed'. Some were even trusted to fill up and fill in their own account sheet.

Many reminisced about seaside day trips and 'Mystery Tours' on 'Doug's Coach', in an era when children rarely left the village. Then, as teenagers, on Summer Sunday afternoons, he'd sell them ice lollies from his kiosk or even a packet of cigarettes “For my Dad”. Later, as brides, Doug would drive them to the church. He also ran a taxi service to those with finances but without driving skills.

People described him as being 'a steady pair of hands' who didn't get hot under the collar about anything. Some revealed that they'd told him they saw his gruffness as him putting up a front and he'd laughed like a drain.




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Bratton History Association.

The Bratton History Association aims to provide all those curious about local history with an opportunity to meet, exchange ideas, and discover more about the history of Bratton and Wiltshire. Activities include monthly meetings, talks by professional historians, visits to places of interest to historians, and our own local history project.

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