P L BOLTO CO Lost Katanning Percy Leonard Ross Bolto

P L Bolto Co. P L Bolto Co

P.L. Bolto & Co started business on 1 July, 1951, in a tin shed rented from Filmer & Forbes with a rental was £1.6.0 per week or £86.0.0 per year. Its agencies were Comet Motors (Morris cars and trucks), Nuffield tractors, Big E Harvesters, Scarfe & Sandover, Sunbeam, United Insurance, and land agents and valuers.

Bolto’s had one girl in the office, Betty Whyatt then Dulcie Giles. Percy would catch the overnight train to Perth to pick up a new car and drive it back over very rough roads. It was post-war years and although vehicles were in short supply a lot were sold.

The Bolto’s considered themselves fortunate to be able to start a successful business at that time. Within a year the business expanded into its current premises which were purchased from Central Motors which had been previously owned by Wesfarmers. It had become neglected and needed a lot of work. It was originally the site of Warren Bros. camp and horse yard.

Harry Fletcher was the first mechanic followed by Wally Moore who ran the service station until his retirement.

The business was further expanded in 1962 extending one side for vehicle servicing and storage. In that same year it took on the Massey agency and increased its staff numbers. Further extensions were made by purchasing adjacent houses to build Machinery sheds.

The business extended out of town with the purchase of the Nyabing-Pingrup Massey agency, then Kojonup and finally Albany, which was managed by Graham James.

Percy retired in 1974 when his son Ian Bolto took control of the business. Today it is solely a real estate business under the franchise of “The Professionals” and is managed by Percy’s grandson Cameron. The machinery side of the business was sold to Perth based Macintosh & Son.

PERCY BOLTO

Percy Leonard Ross Bolto

Percy Leonard Ross Bolto was born on 31 July 1909, in Dawesley, South Australia, Australia. He was the son of Willie Richard Bolto and Janet Ruby McDonald. Percy married Ivy Blanch Filmer in Katanning and they had one son, Ian Ross.

Percy joined enlisted in the army during the Second World War on 4 April, 1942 in 6 Battalion Volunteer Defence Corps.

He started his own business on 1 July, 1951, in a tin shed rented from Filmer & Forbes with a rental was £1.6.0 per week or £86.0.0 per year. The business included agencies for Comet Motors (Morris cars and trucks), Nuffield tractors, Big E Harvesters, Scarfe & Sandover, Sunbeam, United Insurance, and land agents and valuers.

Percy was commissioned as a Justice of the Peace on 8 May 1967.

He died on 14 March 2006, in Subiaco, Western Australia, at the age of 96, and is buried in Katanning, Western Australia.

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