WW1 Military Motors - 1916 set x 50 cards

[Lancashire Fusilier]

The Tank Corps Central Workshops at Teneur, France - photo shows the engine being removed from a salvaged tank.

Also, note the enormous spanner being used by the soldier on the left.

LF

IWMQ9863 This image is reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

[Lancashire Fusilier]

A Tank Corps Officer inspecting salvaged tanks brought into the large Tank Corps Central Workshops at Teneur, France.

The Tank Salvage Unit was formed in December 1916, and subsequently became the Tank Corps Special Salvage Detachment.

To illustrate the enormous scale of tank salvaging, in just a 4 week period between 8th August 1918 and 8th September 1918, the Tank Corps Special Salvage Detachment recovered 544 damaged, destroyed or abandoned tanks.

LF

IWM This image is reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

[Lancashire Fusilier]

As shown in the previous post #1001, that Tank Corps Officer is wearing the officer's jacket with the Tank Corps ' Tank ' sleeve badge on his upper right arm, as shown in the attached photo of a Tank Corps Lieutenant's late war uniform jacket.

LF

IWM This image is reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

[Lancashire Fusilier]

The B-Type London Motorbus

I have researched the B-Type London Motorbus from multiple sources, as I consider it one of the most iconic vehicles of WW1.

Already a familiar sight in many old pre-WW1 films depicting the terrible traffic congestion around Central London, the B-Type London motorbus was subsequently to find fame and recognition as a troop transport on the Western Front during WW1.

The London General Omnibus Company ( the L.G.O.C. ) was founded on 1st January 1859, and was the successor of the earlier joint Anglo-French transport company the C.G.O.L. ( Compagnie General des Omnibus de Londres ) which was founded in 1855.

The L.G.O.C., known more commonly as the ' General ' Bus Company was enormously successful, and soon became the largest bus company in London with a fleet of over 600 horse-drawn buses.

With the coming of the Central Line train system operated by the new Central London railway in 1900, and the advent of the new ' Electric ' Trams, L.G.O.C. found its large market share of London passengers in jeopardy, and so in 1905, it turned to the new transport innovation, the motor-powered vehicle, with L.G.O.C. ordering some 100 special motorbuses jointly from Sidney Straker and Squire Ltd., and the French De Dion-Bouton Company.

In 1908, L.G.O.C. merged with its two main rivals, the London Motor Omnibus Company with its ' Vanguard ' buses, and the London Road Car Co. Ltd., with its ' Union Jack ' buses, with the new combined fleet of 885 motor buses using the ' General ' bus fleet name.

L.G.O.C's Chief Engineer, Frank Searle, was anxious for L.G.O.C. to build its own buses and he designed a new ' General ' bus to be built in premises at Blackhorse Road, Walthamstow, the new ' General ' motorbus would resemble the previous horse-drawn buses, in that it would be a double-decker bus, with an open top deck joined to the lower closed deck by an external staircase, with the initial order being for 20 buses.

The prototype bus was ready by August 1909, and was approved and licenced in December 1909, with the new bus to be known as the ' X-Type ' and built at Walthamstow .

Previously, L.G.O.C's horse-drawn buses had been painted in various colours, with each colour denoting a different bus route, however, from 1907 all ' General ' buses were painted in a mainly red, with white livery, and bus numbers were used to indicate the various bus routes. The Metropolitan Police also required that all London buses had display boards on both the front and the back of the bus which clearly indicated the bus' route, both these London bus features, the colour red, and the front and rear route indicators remaining today.

Following the success of the L.G.O.C. X-Type motorbus, Frank Searle, set about designing a new London bus to be known as the ' B-Type ', it was to have a wooden framed body with steel wheels and a modified worm drive and chain gearbox. It would seat 34 passengers, with 18 on the open upper deck, and 16 in the lower enclosed deck, with both decks still joined by an external staircase. The B-Type, although capable of reaching 30 mph, with then legal speed limit being only 12 mph, the B-Type was given a top speed of 16 mph.

The new B-Type bus entered service in 1911, and was enormously popular and highly successful. In 1912, electric lights were added to the B-Type, and in 1913 headlights were fitted, by which time, some 2500 B-Type buses were in service throughout London.

The main factors contributing to the B-Type's success as a fleet bus, was its reliability and also its method of manufacture, with Frank Searle ensuring standardisation of production, and the availability of adequate interchangeable spare parts.

L.G.O.C. subsequently incorporated the Associated Equipment Company ( AEC ) who then made the B-Type chassis and engines at Walthamstow, with the bus interiors being fitted out at L.G.O.C's Islington Coachworks.

The success of both the X-Type and B-Type motorbuses heralded the end of the horse-drawn bus era, with the last L.G.O.C. horse-drawn London bus running on 25th October, 1911.

With the outbreak of WW1 and the dire need for troop transports, the War Office requisitioned 1,319 ' General ' London buses, approximately one third of L.G.O.C's London bus fleet, to be sent over to France to be used as troop transports on the Western Front. Initially, the B-Types were unmodified still displaying their red and white ' General ' livery, subsequently, they were painted Army khaki. It was also found that their original glass windows were prone to breakage mainly from the soldiers rifles, so as a consequence the glass windows were removed and replaced with wooden boards. The B-Type buses, could carry 25 fully equipped soldiers.

In addition to being used as troop transports, some B-Type buses were converted into mobile pigeon lofts housing the carrier pigeons used for military communications at the Front.

During WW1, along with their buses, many L.G.O.C. bus drivers and other employees volunteered to be sent to France, with over 10,000 staff joining the Armed Forces.

With so many men serving overseas, for the first time women were employed in London working on the buses as Bus Conductors ' Clippies ', mechanics, cleaners and clerical staff, with over 4,600 female L.G.O.C. employees keeping London's buses running during WW1.

The B-Type buses served in France until the end of WW1, when they were again used to bring the troops home.

On their return, many of the B-Type buses were refurbished and re-entered service as London buses, and remained so until the L.G.O.C. introduced the new K-Type London bus.

In 1933, L.G.O.C. became part of the London Passenger Transport Board who were to become responsible for all public transport in London.

Today, the Imperial War Museum displays a preserved B-Type London Bus ( B43 ) built in 1911, which originally ran in London before being requisitioned by the War Office in 1914. B43 served on the Western Front until the end of WW1 when it was placed back in service by L.G.O.C. as a London bus until it was retired in the early 1920s, after which time, B43 often featured in Armistice and other parades.

B43 was nicknamed ' Ole Bill ', being named after the celebrated caricature of the WW1 soldier ' Old Bill ' created by cartoonist Captain Bruce Bairnsfather, who himself fought on the Western Front as a WW1 Army Officer.

B43, was presented to the Imperial War Museum in April 1970.

The B-Type's designer, Frank Searle, accompanied his B-Type buses to the Western Front, where he served in the Machine Gun Corps ( Heavy ), later the Tank Corps, reaching the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel. He was awarded both the D.S.O. and the C.B.E., and was Mentioned in Despatches, he died in 1948.

LF

This image is reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

[Lancashire Fusilier]

One of first of the L.G.O.C. Motorbuses, the De Dion-Buton motorbus, depicted crossing Westminster Bridge.

LF

This image is reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

[Lancashire Fusilier]

L.G.O.C's B-Type London Motorbus - front and rear views.

LF

These images are reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

[Lancashire Fusilier]

A B-Type Motorbus seen crossing Richmond Bridge.

LF

This image is reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

[Lancashire Fusilier]

A convoy of L.G.O.C. London motorbuses and their drivers, newly arrived in France following their requisition by the War Office.

LF

This image is reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

[Lancashire Fusilier]

A graphic illustration from the War Illustrated dated 20th October 1917, depicting a B-Type London motorbus in action at the Front.

LF

This image is reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

[Lancashire Fusilier]

British troops boarding converted B-Type London motorbuses, after being in action at the Battle of Arras.

LF

IWM. This image is reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

[Lancashire Fusilier]

A convoy of converted B-Type London motorbuses lined up on the Cassel-Dunkerque Road, 8th August 1917.

LF

IWMQ2690 This image is reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

[Lancashire Fusilier]

First battle of Ypres 1914 - An L.G.O.C. B-Type London motorbus seen in the town square of Bailleul on 6th November, 1914.

LF

IWMQ57338 This image is reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

[Lancashire Fusilier]

A B-Type London motorbus, converted into a Western Front mobile carrier pigeon loft.

LF

This image is reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

[Lancashire Fusilier]

During WW1, over 4600 women were hired by L.G.O.C to work as bus conductors ' Clippies ', mechanics, cleaners and clerical workers to keep London's buses running.

The photos show ' Clippies ' circa 1916.

LF

These images are reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

[Lancashire Fusilier]

L.G.O.C. female employees hired as mechanics and cleaners during WW1, these photographs were taken at L.G.O.C's Willesden Garage.

LF

This image is reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

[Lancashire Fusilier]

A battle scarred B-Type London motorbus being inspected after having been returned to London from the Western Front, prior to being refurbished and placed back in service.

LF

This image is reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

[Lancashire Fusilier]

A superb photo of B-Type London motorbus ' B43 ' later to be known as ' Ole Bill ', shown taking part in a London Armistice Day parade some 50 years or so before being presented to the Imperial War Museum.

LF

This image is reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

[Lancashire Fusilier]

London B-Type motorbus B43 ' Ole Bill ' on display at the Imperial War Museum.

LF

IWM.This image is reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

[Lancashire Fusilier]

Captain Bruce Bairnsfather celebrated WW1 cartoonist, with his creation ' Old Bill '. Capt. Bairnsfather's handwritten notation of ' Leo Maritimus ', roughly translates to ' Sea Lion ', and that is probably how he saw ' Old Bill '.

LF

These images are reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

[Scalyback]

LF,

What a super set of posts about the "old bill". You have in a way give me a nice early xmas present. I can not wait for the kit to be released now. As we speak the other half is pricing up hotels so we can look around IWM.

Intresting link with the Tanks and the buses. I have seen the picture of the bus under attack, did this mirror a real event or fiction? I shall have more questions after digesting more of your posts.

[Lancashire Fusilier]

A very nice painting depicting a B-Type London motorbus crossing Westminster Bridge.

LF

This image is reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

[Lancashire Fusilier]

As we speak the other half is pricing up hotels so we can look around IWM.

Pleased you liked the posts, and a trip to the IWM is always worthwhile. While in London, you may want to take a look at the London Transport Museum in Covent Garden, they have a B-Type on display ( photos attached ).

Regards,

LF

This image is reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

[johnboy]

Quite a poignant pic. Ad on bus for Apollo theatre and a London bus was used to ferry casualties to hospitals.

[Lancashire Fusilier]

A B-Type motorbus chassis used by the Royal Navy Division to mount, what looks to be a 3 or 6 pounder Hocthkiss Gun.

LF

[Lancashire Fusilier]

Here is another example of the B-Type London motorbus being adapted for military service, the photograph shows Marines attached to the Eastchurch ( Mobile ) Squadron RNAS, later renamed No.3 Squadron RNAS, with their Armoured Car which was converted locally in Dunkirk from a B-Type London motorbus, by the French engineering company, Forges et Chantiers de France of Dunkirk, and delivered to Samson on 17th September, 1914. It was designed so that 12 Marines could crouch down in the back of the vehicle and fire through the gun ports at the side, additionally, there was a machine gun port firing forward.

The caption's reference to ' Commandant Samson ', refers to Air Commodre Charles Rumney Samson, CMG., D.S.O. and Bar, AFC., the innovative and swashbuckling WW1 Soldier, Sailor and Airman.

When WW1 broke out, Commander Samson took his Eastchurch RNAS Squadron to France in support of infantry along the French and Belgian borders, having too few aircraft at his disposal, Samson took to organising mobile ground patrols between Dunkirk and Antwerp to search out and destroy any German forces they encountered, particularly German cavalry units.

Initially, Samson used two private vehicles, a Mercedes and a Rolls Royce, which were armed with just a machine gun firing backwards. Later, Samson was able to organise improvised armoured vehicles put together locally and also those vehicles that had been modified with armour back in England.

These early converted and improvised armoured vehicles, were the beginnings of the RNAS Armoured Car Section.

Samson, later went to Gallipoli with the RNAS, and was also a pioneer of the launching of aircraft from naval craft at sea, the forerunner of carrier based aircraft. Samson took part in the initial trials of a Sopwith Camel taking off from a towed barge at sea.

LF

This image is reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.