77-year-old HGV driver Raymond Tilbury went on his final journey with a HGV lorry hearse. The hearse was specially decorated with a banner showing Raymond Tilbury and family members. The funeral procession cut quite a spectacle with a bright yellow HGF lorry with green flashing lights and a coffin laid to the back
Raymond Tilbury 77 from Bracknell Berkshire received his final wish today by having his last journey on an HGV lorry. Raymond loved his truck driving job so much that he asked his colleagues at Bennetts Haulage in Reading if they would arrange to take him to his final resting place.
Colleague Stephen Bennett said
“Raymond Tilbury was an ex-driver at Bennetts Haulage who drove for us up until very recently, he asked if we would do the honours of taking him to his final resting place”
Raymond Tilbury loved his job and like many HGV drivers was relied upon as a key worker during the Pandemic. Raymond love for his job meant he would drive hundreds of miles a day. Being an older HGF driver comes with its challenges, HGV Licences must be renewed annually from age 65. Raymond needed to reach a higher medical standard, often including an examination.
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The Life of Trucker Raymond Frank Tilbury
15 September 1944 – 13 June 2022
Ray was a Reading boy, who had a very happy childhood growing up in and around the town.
A real family man, with an extended family of 6 children, and in later life much loved grandchildren as well.
Ray started his working life as a milkman but soon moved on to train as a mechanic. He never fully qualified as a mechanic, as the love of trucks came calling, and although Ray continued to work on cars for family and friends, it was the lure of the open road that kept him captured. He drove buses and lorries up to 44 tonnes and worked for many local companies including Oakley Animal Products, BR Saunders and Bennetts Haulage. Although ‘slightly’ past his retirement age, Ray continued to drive HGV’s until his health caused him to have his HGV suspended. Ray had a triple heart by-pass, and then fought for 2 and a half years to get his HGV licence back. Mark at Bennetts promised Ray if the doctors let him have his licence back, then he would buy him a brand new lorry. Ray got his licence back in April 2019, and took delivery of his brand new 26t rigid Renault Range T. Ray drove this vehicle until 2021, and then further medical complications meant that Ray had his licence suspended once again. Once more Ray went into battle with his health, but unfortunately, after a long and courageous fight, Ray succumbed to his illness.
Funeral Day
His funeral service took place at Easthampstead Crematorium on the morning of 13th July. The HGF hearse made the journey from Ray house with green lights flashing and his coffin on the flat bed of the truck The funeral procession was something you probably not seen before. There was a fitting banner on the side of the lorry that read “ Raymond Tilbury Trucking Legend” and a photo of him with some of his family Raymond was very well known in the area and he certainly left his mark on them and the people of Wokingham on his final HGV journey. He wanted to go out with some local publicity so I am hoping My Wokingham has done him justice.
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