David W. Walsgroove

Before World War II, Dave’s father ran a delivery service and repair facility from a small shop on the East side of the Turnpike Road, as it was called in those days. They serviced the towing and recovery needs of an emerging “land Army”, local farmers and others with a modified Armstrong Siddeley. Young Dave Wallsgrove was seventeen years old and passed his driving test the day his father died. Daves’ mother, Abbie took charge, assisted by Alf Fletcher as Manager, two mechanics and Dave. Their fleet included a surplus Army Jeep for towing and an Army, four wheel drive “Guy Quad”, with both power and hand winches for recovery. With the death of Dave’s mother in 1973, Dave and Alf became partners. Alf focused on the workshop and service facility, while Dave turned his efforts to recovery work, however he soon began to specialize in Heavy Duty Recovery.

Dave became known as the “Man with the Diamond T from Napton” who would willingly tackle those impossible recovery tasks that were refused by others. Soon he added a Ward Le France 6 x 6 and was christened with the name “Wally the Winch”, which is how he is most often known in the UK, Europe and North America. Today, Wally also operates a Austin Western 6 x 6 with rotating boom in addition to other units that he has modified for his special applications. In the late 1970’s, Dave joined with others to form the Association of Vehicle Recovery Operators (AVRO) in the UK, which has gone on to become one of the leading trade associations in the industry.

Dave continues his enthusiastic support of AVRO and is quick to present a slide show and talk to any interested group on the history of our industry, calling on his skills as an amateur photographer. Routinely, these presentations take him to various industry and civic functions throughout the UK where he acts as an Ambassador of Goodwill on behalf of AVRO. Wally the Winch is always willing to tackle the tough jobs for himself, his association and his industry.