When Albert Cooper refers to himself as “a 1923 model” he means he was born in Sutton Bridge in 1923, but it’s also a reference to his lifelong occupation in the motor industry.
Albert worked for George Leeson, eventually taking over what was at one time a transport company.
When Albert returned from the war, he went back to Sutton Bridge , married Georgina and had two children.
He ran Leeson’s Garage for many years, and although it is now run by his son John, Albert admits he still likes to take an interest.
Albert was born in an old cottage at Rope Walk Farm, with no water laid on and no electricity, to parents who ran a smallholding. He says he was “one of the poorest children in Sutton Bridge” – at a time when most of the children would have had very little – but prides himself that he was never out of work and, if he could only walk, feels sure he would be able to find a job today.
An operation for a back injury has left him in a wheelchair, but Albert has been a lifetime member of Fenland Motor Cycle Club and still has some of his motorbikes. He is one of ten people to have formed the King’s Lynn Section of the club, and was treasurer for about ten years.