A S C units

[David B]

Hi,

My grandfather Pte W W Bowditch 114475 joined at Grove Park 25-6-1915. He stated that he was 40 yo but was really 48 -

guess it happened quite a lot - age cribbing, however he served until 1919 in 405 coy as a motor omnibus driver.

My question Can anyone give me an idea of a GW omnibus carrying capacity and am I right in presuming these vehicles

would be used to transport troops and supplies to near the front lines

regards

David B

[Ron Clifton]

Hello David

The buses (the earlier ones, at least) were "B" Type open-toppoed double-deckers from the London General Omnibus Company and normally carried 25 troops with full kit. One of these buses, B43 "Old Bill" was preserved by the Auxiliary Omnibus Companies Association and is in the IWM.

Yes, they were used, as were lorries, to carry troops further forward than the railways permitted, provided that the roads were good enough. There were seven such companies in all.

Ron

[David B]

Hi Ron,

Thanks for that boy I bet they were old thunderers wouldnt fancy trying to drive them - I learnt on a 1925 Chev open top

wasnt much better

David