Retired haulier Matthew Cornish dies aged 90
We are saddened to announce the death of well-known haulier Matthew Cornish, who died on 10 March 2021 after a brief illness aged 90. His funeral was held in Ipswich on 30 March.
Cornish started work aged 15 as trailer boy for Harris of Grays, moving on to drive for Thomas Allen. He became shift foreman routing tankers for Charringtons Oil Terminal at Grays.
He started his own Felixstowe-based haulage company in July 1975, with son-in-law Paul Yeldham and industry friend Ron Sutherland as partners. They initially had one used Atkinson Borderer, which cost just £655, but the Matthew Cornish fleet peaked at 21. Further depots were opened in Harwich and Liverpool.
Cornish retired in 1990, Yeldham sold Sutherland his shares in 1994, and he carried on for another 11 years, ceasing trading in 2005. The Matthew Cornish fleet graced our roads 31 years.