Vegas & The Aftermath - Diary

[tikay]

Ole Bill Bus

This London ‘B type’ bus is one of 300 requisitioned by The British Army in October 1914 due to a shortage of motor vehicles at the outbreak of the First World War.

The buses were allocated to the British Army Service Corps, their civilian livery removed and painted khaki. Windows were boarded up and various other modifications were made in order for the buses to carry up to 25 fully-equipped troops. By the end of the war, over 900 B type buses had been put into service in France and Belgium. Not only were they used to transport troops but also many were converted into ambulances, wireless equipment vehicles and mobile pigeon lofts.

This bus, ‘B43’, was built in 1911 and was one of the first B types to be sent to France. After the War it was repurchased by the London General Omnibus Company and was used on London bus routes 8 and 9 until retired from service in 1920.The new owners, the Auxiliary Omnibus Companies Association, refurbished the bus as a permanent memorial to the role played by London buses in the First World War and it was named ‘Old Bill’ after Bruce Bairnsfather’s wartime cartoon character. In its new role, the bus appeared regularly in Armistice Day parades and other special occasions until being presented to the Imperial War Museum in April 1970.

Now I like it. Now, I love it. Now, I have seepage.

[Colchester Kev]

Built in Walthamstow I believe.

[tikay]

Built in Walthamstow I believe.

Whereabouts in Walthamstow?

[Colchester Kev]

Built in Walthamstow I believe.

Whereabouts in Walthamstow?

Blackhorse Lane

[Colchester Kev]

Later became AEC ... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Associated_Equipment_Company

[Blatch]

Ole Bill Bus

This London ‘B type’ bus is one of 300 requisitioned by The British Army in October 1914 due to a shortage of motor vehicles at the outbreak of the First World War.

The buses were allocated to the British Army Service Corps, their civilian livery removed and painted khaki. Windows were boarded up and various other modifications were made in order for the buses to carry up to 25 fully-equipped troops. By the end of the war, over 900 B type buses had been put into service in France and Belgium. Not only were they used to transport troops but also many were converted into ambulances, wireless equipment vehicles and mobile pigeon lofts.

This bus, ‘B43’, was built in 1911 and was one of the first B types to be sent to France. After the War it was repurchased by the London General Omnibus Company and was used on London bus routes 8 and 9 until retired from service in 1920.The new owners, the Auxiliary Omnibus Companies Association, refurbished the bus as a permanent memorial to the role played by London buses in the First World War and it was named ‘Old Bill’ after Bruce Bairnsfather’s wartime cartoon character. In its new role, the bus appeared regularly in Armistice Day parades and other special occasions until being presented to the Imperial War Museum in April 1970.

Now I like it. Now, I love it. Now, I have seepage.

Thats just so wrong on soooooo many levels

[tikay]

Built in Walthamstow I believe.

Whereabouts in Walthamstow?

Blackhorse Lane

How extraordinary - I sensed it was. I actually worked in Blackhorse Lane,  opposite what was then "The Royal Standard", a Krays hangout, for 17 years. Any time you are that way, go into Cyril Rodi's Cafe, still there to this day, for the best Brekkie in England. I so nearly married one of Cyril's daughter's, too, but she went all mardy with me, as I find women are inclined to, after a brief misunderstanding one night involving her younger sister.

The RT Bus was made by AEC, too, by the bye. If I had somewhere to keep it, I'd buy an RT tomorrow. No finer Bus was ever built, though the RTL came close.

[titaniumbean]

Good ol watlthamstow!!!!



Am with Blatch on the use of the word seepage though, however interesting I found the war bus!

[RED-DOG]

 If I had somewhere to keep it, I'd buy an RT tomorrow.

Buy one and live in it.

[tikay]

 If I had somewhere to keep it, I'd buy an RT tomorrow.

Buy one and live in it.

Parking would be a problem. And everyone would want a lift.

[RED-DOG]

 If I had somewhere to keep it, I'd buy an RT tomorrow.

Buy one and live in it.

Parking would be a problem. And everyone would want a lift.

When Big Bill Werbeniuk came to live in Worksop, he bought an old bus (Well a coach really) and had it converted so that he could live in it.

It served him well for many years, he only sold it because he copped off with a wealthy widow, but that's a whole nother story.

[Laxie]

I'm with Blatch but won't quote all the quotes or Gatso might hunt me down.

[tikay]

I saw this today - what a great photograph.

[Colchester Kev]

pmsl !!

[Karabiner]

Which is which ?