Had it not been for the Second World War, this farmer and haulage contractor might have matured into one of Britain's foremost Formula 1 drivers.  As it was, he gained a reputation as a steady, dogged and supremely versatile competitor in almost every category.  He retired to the post of the Aston Martin team manager at the end of the 1954 season and later ran the Yeoman Credit/Bowmaker teams from which he evolved Reg Parnell Racing from the start of 1963, giving a Formula 1 break to the promising 19-year old Chris Amon along the way.  He died at 52 of peritonitis following medical complications after a seemingly routine appendix operation.