The Farmers Mart Apr-May 2020 - Issue 68 | Page 18

18 RICKERBY OPEN EVENT
APR/MAY 2020 • farmers-mart.co.uk
EARLY INNOVATION &
LONG-TERM SUCCESS,
140 YEARS AT RICKERBY
The early beginnings of this remarkable company began back in 1880 when
the inventive Joseph Rickerby saw the future of farm mechanisation was just
around the corner. At the time he was working for the noted Liberal politician and
landowner, Sir Wilfred Lawson of Brayton Hall, on his large estate near Wigton.
SEEING the future, Joseph made the
bold step of leaving his job on the Brayton
estate, moved to Carlisle and acquired
a small firm of blacksmith engineers in
Botchergate. Truly a bold step, as he was
only in his early twenties.
Joseph immediately set to and started
to design his own machines, which he
quickly followed up by successfully
marketing them in the local area.
As 1900 approached, the agricultural
revolution was well under way, and so
was the Rickerby family business. Large
machinery manufacturers in America
were looking for new export markets.
Joseph recognised another opportu-
nity and acquired agency rights with
a number of leading companies. This
allowed him to supply farmers with the
latest equipment from around the world.
Under his astute management and direc-
tion, the Rickerby business flourished
and Joseph remained at the helm until his
death in 1936 aged 75.
Joseph’s son, Arthur, led the company
through the difficult years of the 1920’s
and early 30’s, until his own death at
a young age. This was a severe, unex-
pected blow to the company, however
in the interim the company was run by
Herbert Aird who had been a manager for
Rickerby since 1919. In 1935, the grandson
of Joseph Rickerby joined the business,
he was also called Joseph. His younger
brother, Douglas, joined after WW2.
Douglas was a decorated hero, winning
the Military Cross at the battle of Imphal
defending Shenam Ridge. Captain
Douglas led and rallied his troops whilst
helping the wounded reach important aid
stations. The Battle of Imphal was part of
the four-month long battle to prevent the
Japanese invading India.
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