Tributes and Memories of friend and former UPWAC Chairman Wesley Lamount

The untimely death of my good friend and Ulster pre-war Austin club member Wesley sent shockwaves through our club. He was a very active member, attending many of our runs and functions. Wesley was constantly supported by Yvonne who shared his hobby. Wesley enjoyed his cars, talking about them as well as driving and tinkering with them. He had a great knowledge of old cars and parts which he was always willing to share with others. I joined the Upwac in 1987 and Wesley became a great friend, I valued his wise advice and help over the years.
Ella McLoughlin

I’m sure like everyone else present today at The Argory I will miss Wesley Lamont. I knew him from the early 1980s when he was racing at Kirkistown. He bought my Alvis TK 12/60 in 2001. The day he collected the car he struggled driving off in the car to select third gear across the gate. Later along the road I heard him graunching the gears as he tried to change down from third to second. He gave that battle up and coasted to a halt and started again successfully driving off into the sunset all sorted. He was always a good driver in a variety of motor cars from pre-WW1 to modern Caterhams. As a member and office bearer of many motor clubs he gave generously of his time and considerable ability to efficiently organise events and people.
Simon Thomas

Wesley Lamont was one of nature’s Gentlemen! I first met Wesley in 1980 and remained friends (I was going to say until his untimely death) but no, I still count him as a good friend. I shall not forget him. I remember Wesley attending the car, steam rallies and on Portstewart Promenade always with a great welcoming handshake. Wesley was a friend to all who knew him. His love for his cars is legendary, and it is great to see his carrying on in the same manner. Wesley, you have reached the chequered flag all too early rest in peace, you have led the way we have to follow. God bless all your family.
Robert Dixon

Memories of our dear friend Wesley Lamont were not only of his warmth and humour but also his quick-witted remarks.

We were very fortunate to spend some time on holiday with him and Yvonne shortly before he passed. Having checked into our hotel in Galway with the booking under my name I sent Wesley a text a short while later, pretending it to be from the hotel reception. I texted “Dear Mr Lamont, I am afraid Mr Wrights card has been declined can you kindly vacate your room immediately and report to reception. Thank you”. Back came the reply “Just in the middle of making love and then sorting hearing aid and then we will vacate albeit very slowly”.

Perhaps the best wind up came from Wesley one night when I received a text from him shortly before heading for the ferry to come over to Northern Ireland “Hope you have a good crossing. I was in the bar on the ferry last night for a night cap and met an old bartender friend Amos Kittow from my work days. I have left two brandy’s for you and Pam behind the bar. If you ask for him or Moe Lester they will sort you out” Completely taken in by this we actually asked for Amos Kittow and Moe Lester on the ferry before the penny dropped !! We all had such a laugh when he realised that his text had worked so well.
Peter and Pam Wright

His courage inspired me, his wisdom challenged me, and his wit still makes me smile.
Eugene Kearney

Wesley Lamont has been a constant for most of my 56 years to date, in different guises – Cousin (although he always teasingly stressed the distance of this relationship!) For a spell he was also my boss and mentor. Above all though, and most importantly to me, Wesley was my friend (not the cuddly type or always on the phone type, but the solid reliable honest no bullsh*t type). The boss thing had its challenges for us both. I expected and I got no preferential treatment I worked hard to show I was there on merit, and I know Wesley appreciated that. I recall when I was a younger man, I had just embarked on a new love interest (now Mrs McDonald). This had a detrimental effect on my timekeeping which briefly slipped a little. Now if you knew him, Wesley did NOT like late. Naively I thought that by strategically parking in the stations back car park and sneaking in quietly past his office I’d be on post and in the clear long before he finished his morning meeting with the grownups (other senior officers). This worked well a number of times or so I thought. One morning however I opened a plain brown envelope addressed to myself and inside was a certificate of merit beautifully made with the flowing signature “JW Lamont” and underneath his full rank and plumage. When I read the text of my “commendation” however I wasn’t late again – it was in fact a tongue in cheek certificate congratulating me for being on time for three consecutive days that week. How’d he know?

We both shared the old car gene and several times as a teenager when I pranged various of my cars, he helped me sort the bodywork, with minimal financial outlay for me (always skint) but on condition I do the hard work with him supervising and always with Wesley doing the final paint. He was good at it. I’d love to say he was a patient teacher when passing on his considerable skills but will just say instead that I learned a lot from him and that we got there in the end.

Much later in time I recall going to but one such classic car with Wesley who came along for the ride, the owner eagerly pulling back the cover proudly announcing “ it’s just been repainted” With perfect comic timing Wesley leaned into me and muttered ( a fraction too loud) “at Stevie Wonders Bodyshop ” suffice to say the seller was not impressed…but then neither were we and so the car stayed where it was. On another epic car buying trip deep into Co Longford – we eventually drove away with my latest purchase behind on Wesley’s trailer. It was then he informed me I’d done well and got a bargain! At least I think that’s what he meant, his exact words were “unlike you McDonald, Dick Turpin wore a mask when he robbed folk!” on the same trip I stopped for a roadside pee and on impulse dug up some nearby primroses which still grow where I replanted them on the verge outside my former house. Wesley was really unimpressed by this – quite cross actually, reminding me that it was a criminal act and quoting the RUC manual both chapter and verse (he must have been doing exams!). I still smile when I see those Longford/Ballygowan primroses growing wild.

I bought a few cars off Wesley himself over the years and to be fair he could have done with a mask too – it was a blood sport! He taught me well.

I still own a car that belonged to my grandfather who had a garage business in Fermanagh. He was known to Wesley as “Uncle Sam”. The car question is a 1937 Vauxhall 25 and it lay unloved in my grandfather’s garage from the 1960s until the late 80s when my father and I recommissioned it, again with some assistance from Wesley. It’s not been restored as such, and it remains a rough old bird. It is still used for occasional family outings and has seen off several family weddings. I’ve some nice photos of Wesley beside it wearing full chauffeur get up. At events like these I always enjoyed and looked forward to Wesley’s inevitable speech.

I recall Wesley telling me that he and his brothers often played in the old Vauxhall as youngsters. This car when laid up had also been a frequent playground for myself and several other cousins as kids albeit a few years down the line..no trampolines for us!

Approx 20 years ago I gate crashed an UPWAC treasure hunt and the follow-on dinner in the Highways hotel, I brought my new family along in the Vauxhall and we parked it in with the “commoners” in their Austins. I stuck it in a line of gleaming cars beside Wesley and Yvonne’s immaculate 12 and went off for a look around. When I returned the Vauxhall was sporting tasteful hand drawn on paper “Austin of England” emblems front and rear where there had previously been a Griffin or two!! Moreover, Wesley was straight faced whilst telling some bystanders that this was an ultra-rare Austin 25hp from the late 1930s.

I have very fond memories of the Lamont’s and it has been by genuine privilege to share part of life’s journey with Wesley, Yvonne and Ashley. I should say that I actually lived with the three of them for a spell in my young adulthood and it was very hard indeed to move out again as I was made so unconditionally welcome. Those were good times, and I am forever grateful for the steady influence they represented in my life.

How Wesley managed with his health issues over the last years was definitely inspiring but not at all surprising to me – he was not a man to give in easily. Deeply Respected by myself and his other friends and colleagues both in work and outside of work he was always there for others right until the end. I really miss his advice which was sometimes sought out and occasionally just volunteered! Either way Wesley was normally right. Wesley didn’t want to be defined by Cancer. It definitely bowed him, but it did NOT break him. He was always quick to ask after others especially my parents and other family members. He really didn’t much like talking about himself. He was rightfully proud of Ashley, Kelly and the boys and would keep me updated with Ashley’s career and many motorsport accomplishments. Or proudly tell me of Harry and Oliver driving an Austin 7 in the field at his home. We spoke quite regularly by phone during periods of exile following treatment and Wesley sent the odd funny meme on WhatsApp along with far too many links to classic cars for sale. Wesley’s organisational skills will no doubt be missed within the Ulster Pre War Austin Club too. Wesley was a doer not a talker and he led squarely from the front. He was especially generous with his time, even in the knowledge that it was short. Believe me there’s way more I could write but I think I should give way to others at this point…..
Kenny McDonald

JW Lamont, Wesley or just simply Dad to me. Dad and I shared a love for all things car related. From my early year (5 years old) we went to car shows and motorsport events. On a typical week, we worked at all sorts of cars in the evenings, usually spending a Monday night, Thursday night and all-day Saturday in the garage at home building cars. Growing up he taught me how to do bodywork, welding, painting, mechanical work, and competition car preparation. Basically, everything I know about cars, he taught me. Patience wasn’t his strength, so I learned to learn fast!!! He was a great mentor to me in all aspects of life and I miss desperately our long conversations.

His love for vintage cars and the friendships within the vintage car scene was something he valued so much. His vintage cars are here today and like always the cars never got out of the garage without being washed, polished and tyre slick on (or the “lipstick on”, like he used to say) just the way he would have wanted. He loved vintage car events, and he would have loved today’s event. To Geoffrey Livingstone and the team at the Ulster Pre-war Austin Club, Donnelly group, Myeloma UK and all Dad’s friends who have supported todays event, we thank you all so much for making today special for the Lamont family, Thank you
Ashley, Yvonne, Kelly, Oliver, and Harry Lamont