G & B Motor Services 1926 - 1974

Contents

G & B Motor Services - Fleet History 1926-1974 Page 3

Gillett Brothers (Motor Services) Ltd - Fleet List 1923-1974 Page 7

J. J. Baker Ltd - Fleet List 1923-1959 Page 30

Cover Illustration: JUP98H, was a 1970 AEC Reliance with Plaxton 47-seat bodywork, seen here at Quarrington Hill garage in 1974. (Donald Hudson).

© The Local Transport History Library 2019. (www.lthlibrary.org.uk) For personal use only. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, transmitted or distributed in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical or otherwise without the express written permission of the publisher. In all cases this notice must remain intact. All rights reserved. First Published 2019.

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Page 2 G & B Motor Services 1926 - 1974

G & B Motor Services was formed in 1926 as an informal partnership between the Gillett Brothers and John Joseph Baker, both of Quarrington Hill, County Durham, although both companies had earlier origins. They were both separate companies and operated as such until J.J. Baker Ltd was sold to the Gillett Brothers in October 1959. The Gillett family were grocers in Quarrington Hill and had eleven children. In May 1923, two of the Gillett brothers, Arthur and Albert, purchased a 14-seat Ford Model T which was convertible for use as a goods or passenger vehicle. The following June the Ford was licensed for 'hire and reward' by Durham Council and both Arthur and Albert became licensed to drive, along with a third brother Matthew ('Matty') Gillett; the business, however, was always owned solely by Arthur and Albert. During the miners' strike of 1926, the Gillett brothers applied for a licence to operate between Thornley and West Hartlepool, running every two hours Sunday to Friday and every hour on Saturdays. This was approved by West Hartlepool Council in September 1926 who authorised three buses. Two weeks later licences for a further three buses were granted, although the Gillett brothers only took up one of these. The two remaining licences were taken up by John Joseph Baker, also a Quarrington Hill grocer (who had also begun operating passenger carrying vehicles around 1923 operating a service from Quarrington Hill to Wheatley Co-op via Trimdon and Trimdon Grange that ran on Monday and Thursday only) and had obtained

Page 3 G & B Motor Services 1926 - 1974 a licence from Durham Council in 1925. By the end of 1926 the service had been extended to serve Durham. This was the beginning of the informal partnership between the Gillett brothers and J.J. Baker, and together they ran services under the G&B Motor Services fleetname, although later both operators used their own fleetnames with 'G&B' on the destination indicator in place of a route number, which was never used. After 1959 when Gilletts were the sole operators just GB was shown on their vehicles, although the acquired ex-Baker vehicles continued to show G&B. A second service from West Hartlepool to Spennymoor commenced in February 1929 and was extended to Bishop Auckland later in the year. Both services were granted road service licences (each service running hourly and daily) by the Traffic Commissioners under the Road Traffic Act introduced in 1930 and remained more or less the same over the years. Double-deckers were never operated due to low bridges on both services and the service mileage was operated strictly in the ratio of four- sevenths by Gillett's and three-sevenths by Bakers. The livery used by both operators was similar - Gillett’s vehicles were originally brown and black (with cream added around 1938), whilst Baker’s vehicles were originally two shades of brown (with cream also added around 1938). Fleet numbers were used by both operators although Gillett’s use was erratic; Baker’s used fleet numbers until taken over in 1959 and

Page 4 G & B Motor Services 1926 - 1974

Gillett’s fleet was subsequently numbered in line with Bakers, but then the practice was discontinued and the registration number used to identify vehicles. In 1931 J. J. Baker was incorporated as J. J. Baker Limited, although just two years later in 1933 John Baker passed away and the business passed to his family, including his son John Henwood Baker and daughter Bertha and her husband George Sydney Gilson, whom she had married that year. With the onset of World War II in 1939 contracts were obtained to transport workers to the new Royal Ordnance factory at Aycliffe and a number of second-hand vehicles were drafted in to both fleets to cope with the added traffic. In 1943 Gillett Brothers was incorporated as Gillett Brothers (Motor Services) Limited. Postwar the vehicle policy of both fleets was different. The Gillett Brothers purchased new vehicles, whilst Bakers policy included rebodyings and rebuildings of elderly vehicles interspersed with new vehicles. Sadly John Henwood Baker died in 1956 and the day-to-day running of the business passed to his family, who eventually decided to sell the company. In October 1959 the Gillett Brothers purchased Bakers' fleet, goodwill and vehicles and became sole operators of the services.

Page 5 G & B Motor Services 1926 - 1974

In 1958 a school service to Bowburn Modern School from Quarrington Hill and Cassop was inaugurated and in 1964 the service to Durham was diverted to serve the new Wheatley Hill estate. Despite the increase in one-man operations by other operators, Gilletts' vehicles remained two-man operated to the end. Albert Gillett sadly died in 1970 and Arthur two years later and the running of the business passed to Arthur's son Fyfe Gillett (who had been briefly involved in the business in the 1960's but had interests elsewhere). Although the business was still profitable, problems with the day to day running, in particular driver shortages, led to the decision to sell the business in November 1974; the vehicles and routes passing to United Automobile Services, ending almost 50 years of the G & B.

Page 6 G & B Motor Services 1926 - 1974

Gillett Brothers (Motor Services) Ltd. 1923 - 1974

This listing is in the format -Year into service; Fleet No; Reg. No; Chassis; Chassis No; Body; Seating.

1923 - PT711 Ford T ? ? B14? Withdrawn by 1926 (PT711). 1925 - PT4933 Reo Speed Wagon F ? ? B14F Withdrawn by 1928 (PT4933) 1926 - PT7260 Reo Major G ? ? B20F PT7260 carried incorrect registration of PT7620 for an unknown period whilst with Gillett Brothers. Withdrawn unknown (PT7260).

Page 7 G & B Motor Services 1926 - 1974

Arthur Gillett and wife Maud stand in front of PT7260 (incorrectly carrying PT7620!) a 1926 Reo Major G with 20-seat bodywork and PT4933 a 1925 Reo Speed Wagon F with 14-seat bodywork, both by unknown coachbuilders. (LTHL collection). G & B Motor Services 1926 - 1974

1927 - PY6377 Reo Major ? ? B20F - VS1067 Reo Pullman W2296 ? B20F VS1067 ex-Gourock & Glasgow Motor Co. (new 1926). Withdrawn 1931 (VS1067), 1938 (PY6377). 1928 - UP1209 Reo Pullman GB303 Young B20F - CN3652 Reo Pullman GB539 ? B24F Withdrawn unknown (CN3652), by 1936 (UP1209). 1929 - CN3975 Halley Conqueror 3358 Walton B32R 9 CN4091 Gilford 166OT 10992 Wycombe B32F Withdrawn unknown (9, CN3975). 1930 - CN4393 Gilford 168OT 11235 Petty B32F Withdrawn unknown (CN4393).

Page 9 G & B Motor Services 1926 - 1974

1932 4 UB6619 AEC Regal 662642 Burlingham C28? 5 GX2739 AEC Regal 6621335 Duple C32F No. 4 ex-Burton Brothers, Leeds (new 1931); re-bodied by Blagg to C32F in 1938. No. 5 ex-Highways Ltd, London (new 1932); requisitioned 1940 and returned 1942 in semi-derelict state; refurbished by Northern Coachbuilders 1942; re-bodied by Burlingham to B35F 1948. Withdrawn 1957 (4), 1958 (5).

1933 6 UP8463 Dennis Lancet 170478 Duple B35F - VO3099 Gilford 168OT 11245 Ashwood B32? No. 6 body refurbished by Burlingham 1942. VO3099 ex-Barton Transport, Chilwell (new 1930 to Atkins, Beeston; No. 9). Withdrawn 1938 (VO3099), 1949 (6).

Page 10 G & B Motor Services 1926 - 1974

1936 8 EM2264 Tilling-Stevens B10A2 5845 Vickers B32R 9 AUP403 TSM HA39A7 8767 Park Royal B32F 10 EM2327 Tilling-Stevens B10A2 6491 Vickers B32R No. 8 ex-Ribble Motor Services (No. 1221; new 1929 to Garlick, Burrell and Edwards, Liverpool; No. 52). No. 9 ex-TSM demonstrator (new 1936); chassis frame and engine replaced by Tilling-Stevens in 1948. No. 10 ex-Ribble Motor Services (No. 1234; new 1929 to Garlick, Burrell and Edwards, Liverpool; No. 67). Withdrawn 1937 (10), 1943 (8), 1951 (9).

1937 12-13 CPT155-56 TSM HA39A7 8777/82 Blagg B32F - WW4254 Tilling-Stevens B10A 5569 Tilling B31R - WW4257 Tilling-Stevens B10A 5572 Tilling B31R WW4254 ex-West Yorkshire Road Car Co (No. 211; new 1929); may have been numbered 11. WW4257 ex-West Yorkshire Road Car Co (No. 214; new 1928); may have been numbered 10. Withdrawn 1938 (WW4254), 1939 (WW4257), 1951 (12-13).

Page 11 G & B Motor Services 1926 - 1974

1938 14 WX2156 TSM B10A2 6744 United B30F 15 WX2123 TSM B10A2 6711 Tilling B30F 16 WX2157 TSM B10A2 6745 United B30F 17 WX2155 TSM B10A2 6743 United B30F 18 WX2137 TSM B10A2 6725 United B30F 19 WX2128 TSM B10A2 6716 United B30F Nos. 14-19 ex-West Yorkshire Road Car Co (Nos. 701, 267, 702, 299, 281, 272 respectively; new 1930). Withdrawn 1942 (18), 1945 (16), 1948 (14, 15, 17, 19). 1942 20 WN4875 AEC Regent 6611997 Burlingham B35F No. 20 ex-South Wales Transport Co (No. 275; new 1932 with Brush L25/26R body); re-bodied as shown before entry into service. Withdrawn 1957 (20). 1946 21-22 FUP878-79 AEC Regal O6624691-92 Burlingham B36F Nos. 21-22 re-numbered 2-3 by July 1954; re-numbered 16-17 in 1960. Withdrawn 1961 (21[16], 22[17]).

Page 12 G & B Motor Services 1926 - 1974

No. 21 (FUP878), a 1946 AEC Regal with Burlingham 36-seat bodywork, seen here in Bishop Auckland Market Place in August 1959. (John Boylett courtesy John Kaye). G & B Motor Services 1926 - 1974

1948 18* HUP661 AEC Regal III O962286 Burlingham C33F 20* HUP662 AEC Regal III O962285 Burlingham C33F 23 HUP801 Maudslay Marathon III 70071 Burlingham B35F 24 JPT737 AEC Regal III 6821A143 Burlingham B35F *Nos. 18, 20 ran un-numbered until 10/1959. No. 23 re-numbered 1 in July 1950. No. 24 re-numbered 6 in July 1950; re-numbered 24 in 1959. Fleet numbers ceased to be used c.1963. Withdrawn 1957 (23[1]), 1960 (24), 1967 (18[HUP661], 20[HUP662]).

1949 25* KUP664 AEC Regal III 6821A492 Burlingham DP35F *No. 25 ran un-numbered until 10/1959. Fleet numbers ceased to be used c.1963. Withdrawn 1967 (25[KUP664]).

Page 14 G & B Motor Services 1926 - 1974

Seen here in Bishop Auckland Market Place in 1959 is No. 24 (JPT737), a 1948 AEC Regal III with Burlingham 35-seat bodywork. (John Boylett courtesy John Kaye). G & B Motor Services 1926 - 1974

1950 7-8* JX6557-58 AEC Regal O6622943-44 Park Royal B32R 31* LPT328 AEC Regal III 9621E989 Burlingham C33F *Nos. 7-8 ex-Halifax Corporation (Nos. 50-51 respectively; new 1938); ran un-numbered until mid-1950's when numbered as shown. *No. 31 ran un-numbered until 10/1959. Fleet numbers ceased to be used c.1963. Withdrawn 1956 (8), 1958 (7), 1967 (31[LPT328]).

1951 32* MPT235 AEC Regal IV 9821E505 Roe B40F *No. 32 ran un-numbered until 10/1959. Fleet numbers ceased to be used c.1963. Withdrawn 1969 (32[MPT235]).

Page 16 G & B Motor Services 1926 - 1974

LPT328 was a 1950 AEC Regal III with Burlingham 33-seat coachwork, that ran un-numbered until 10/59 when it became No. 31. It is seen here in August 1959 in Darlington Market Place. (John Boylett courtesy John Kaye). G & B Motor Services 1926 - 1974

1952 21* HPT749 Leyland PS1/1 461200 Burlingham C33F 23* HPT750 Leyland PS1/1 462352 Burlingham C33F *Nos. 21, 23 ex-Sherburn Hill Co-op Society (new 1960 [HPT749] or 1962 [HPT750]); ran un-numbered until 10/1959. Fleet numbers ceased to be used c.1963 Withdrawn 1960 (21), 1962 (23). 1953 36* NUP612 AEC Regal IV 9822S522 Roe B41F *No. 36 ran un-numbered until 10/1959. Fleet numbers ceased to be used c.1963. Withdrawn 1969 (36[NUP612]). 1955 37* RUP843 AEC Reliance MU3RV305 Windover C41R 38* SPT125 AEC Reliance MU3RV616 Roe B41F *Nos. 37, 38 ran un-numbered until 10/1959; No. 37 carried the last Windover body built. Fleet numbers ceased to be used c.1963. Withdrawn 1970 (37[RUP843]), 1972 (38[SPT125]).

Page 18 G & B Motor Services 1926 - 1974

1956 15* UPT15 AEC Reliance MU3RV538 Roe B41F *No. 15 ran un-numbered until 10/1959. Fleet numbers ceased to be used c.1963. Withdrawn 1969 (15[UPT15]).

1957 39* VUP667 AEC Reliance MU3RV1545 Willowbrook DP41F *No. 39 ran un-numbered until 10/1959. Fleet numbers ceased to be used c.1963. Withdrawn 1972 (39[VUP667]).

1958 40* YUP565 AEC Reliance MU3RV851 Roe DP41F *No. 40 ran un-numbered until 10/1959; used as towing vehicle from 1972; to United Automobile Services 11/74 as towing vehicle. Fleet numbers ceased to be used c.1963.

Page 19 G & B Motor Services 1926 - 1974

RUP843 was a 1955 AEC Reliance that carried the last Windover body produced. It is seen here in August 1969 at Quarrington Hill garage. (John Kaye). G & B Motor Services 1926 - 1974

1959 19 GKA278 AEC Regent O6617228 Burlingham B39F 22 GPT678 AEC Regal O6624796 Raine B39F 26 JUP233 AEC Regal III 6821A125 Burlingham B35F 27 KPT333 Maudslay Marathon III 70379 Duple C35F 28 LPT433 AEC Regal III 6821A533 ACB B37F 29 DNL166 Maudslay Marathon III 70344 Whitson C33F 30 RUP662 AEC Reliance MU3RV497 Burlingham B44F 33 TPT833 AEC Reliance MU3RV807 Burlingham B44F 34 WUP133 AEC Reliance MU3RV1556 Burlingham B45F 35 533APT AEC Reliance MU3RV1892 Plaxton B45F 41 366CPT AEC Reliance 2MU3RV2106 Roe DP41F Nos. 19, 22, 26-30, 33-35 ex-J.J. Baker Ltd, Quarrington Hill (Nos. 19, 22, 26-30, 33-35 respectively; new 1942 [to Liverpool Corporation No. A195], 1946, 1948, 1949, 1950, 1949 [to A&J Coaches, Bedlington], 1955, 1956, 1957, 1958 respectively). Fleet numbers ceased to be used c.1963. Withdrawn 1962 (22, 27, 28, 29), 1963 (19), 1964 (26[JUP233]), 1970 (30[RUP662], 33[TPT833]), 1973 (34[WUP133], 35[533APT], 41[366CPT]).

Page 21 G & B Motor Services 1926 - 1974

1961 - 3673PT AEC Reliance 2MU3RV3699 Plaxton C41F - 5048PT AEC Reliance 2MU3RV3700 Plaxton C41F Withdrawn 1974 (3673PT, 5048PT).

1962 - 8270-71PT Bedford SB5 89452/509 Plaxton C41F - 8443PT Bedford SB5 89500 Plaxton C41F Withdrawn 1965 (8720-8721PT, 8443PT).

1963 - 6301UP AEC Reliance 4MU3RA4796 Plaxton B55F - 6461UP AEC Reliance 4MU3RA4797 Plaxton B55F 6301UP, 6461UP to United Automobile Services Ltd 11/74 (re-numbered 4003, 4004 respectively).

Page 22 G & B Motor Services 1926 - 1974

No. 41 (366CPT) was a 1959 AEC Reliance with Roe dual purpose 41-seat bodywork. It is seen here in Bishop Auckland Market Place in 1970 by which time it had lost its fleet number. (Donald Hudson). G & B Motor Services 1926 - 1974

1965 - GPT943-45C Bedford SB5 96947/38/48 Duple C41F - HPT552-53C AEC Reliance 4MU3RA5198-99 Plaxton B55F HPT552-53C to United Automobile Services Ltd 11/74 (re-numbered 4005, 4006 respectively). Withdrawn 1968 (GPT943-45C). 1966 - OPT851D AEC Reliance 4MU3RA6188 Plaxton B55F - OPT852D AEC Reliance 4MU3RA6189 Plaxton DP51F OPT851-52D to United Automobile Services Ltd 11/74 (re-numbered 4007, 1151 respectively).

1968 - AUP374-76F Bedford VAM70 7T450536/40/448 Plaxton C45F - AUP377-78F AEC Reliance 6MU3R7047-48 Plaxton B47F AUP377-78F to United Automobile Services Ltd 11/74 (re-numbered 2006, 2007 respectively). Withdrawn 1970 (AUP374-76F).

Page 24 G & B Motor Services 1926 - 1974

OPT852D was a 1966 AEC Reliance with Plaxton 51-seat dual purpose bodywork. It passed to United Automobile Services in 19874 where it was re-numbered 1151. (Donald Hudson). G & B Motor Services 1926 - 1974

1970 - HUP843-46H Bedford VAM70 9T472709/67130/6959 Plaxton C45F - JUP98H AEC Reliance 6MU3R7331 Plaxton B47F - JUP998H AEC Reliance 6MU3R7332 Plaxton B47F - KUP200-01J AEC Reliance 6MU3R7462-63 Plaxton DP51F JUP98H, JUP998H, KUP200-01H to United Automobile Services Ltd 11/74 (re-numbered 2008, 2009, 1152, 1153 respectively). Withdrawn 1971 (HUP843-45H). 1971 - OPT994-96K AEC Reliance 6MU3R7539/40/43 Plaxton C45F OPT994-96K to United Automobile Services Ltd 11/74 (re-numbered 1154, 1155, 1156 respectively).

1972 - VPT673-74L AEC Reliance 6MU2R8103-04 Plaxton B54F VPT673-74L to United Automobile Services Ltd 11/74 (re-numbered 2010, 2011 respectively).

Page 26 G & B Motor Services 1926 - 1974

Seen here in Front Street, Quarrington Hill on the service to Durham is OPT994K, a 1971 AEC Reliance with Plaxton 45-seat coachwork. (Donald Hudson). G & B Motor Services 1926 - 1974

1973 - NPT992-93M AEC Reliance 6MU2R25143/315 Plaxton B55F - OPT991M AEC Reliance 6MU4R24600 Willowbrook B53F NPT992-93M, OPT991M to United Automobile Services Ltd 11/74 (re-num- bered 4008, 4009, 4010 respectively).

1974 - RUP617M Bedford YRT DW452485 Willowbrook B55F - SUP376M Bedford YRT DW452574 Duple C53F - TUP269M Bedford YRT DW456264 Duple C53F RUP617M, SUP376M, TUP269M to United Automobile Services Ltd 11/74 (re-numbered 4000, 1170, 1171 respectively).

Page 28 G & B Motor Services 1926 - 1974

NPT993M, a 1973 AEC Reliance with Plaxton 55-seat bodywork, seen here at Quarrington Hill garage in August 1974 just 3 months before the take-over by United Automobile Services. (Donald Hudson). G & B Motor Services 1926 - 1974

J. J. Baker Ltd 1923-1959 This listing is in the format - Year into service; Fleet No; Reg. No; Chassis; Chassis No; Body; Seating. 1919? - J4748 Ford T ? ? ? J4748 was new c.1919 and was the vehicle used to inaugurate his service c.1923. Withdrawn unknown (J4748). 1924 - PT2053 Daimler CJK CJK22 ? ? Withdrawn c.1926 (PT2053). 1927 - PT8955 Reo Speed Wagon F ? ? ?20? - UP211 Reo Pullman W3324 ? ?20? A third vehicle is thought to have been acquired c.1926/27 but details are unknown. Withdrawn 1927 (PT8955, UP211).

Page 30 G & B Motor Services 1926 - 1974

Baker’s second vehicle was PT2053, a 1924 Daimler CJK, although the Robson 20-seat body it carries was a later addition and it did not operate for Baker in this form. (LTHL collection). G & B Motor Services 1926 - 1974

1928 - UP1249 Reo ? ? Young ?20? - PY9486 Tilling-Stevens ? ? ?26? Withdrawn 1928 (UP1249, PY9486).

1929 - UP3382 Tilling-Stevens ? ? ?32? - VN340 Tilling-Stevens ? ? ?32? Withdrawn unknown (UP3382, VN340).

1933 6 UP8061 TSM B39A7 8656 Burlingham B37F - VT2217 TSM B10A2 6223 Massey B23F - VT6280 TSM B10A2 6925 ? B32F VT2217 ex-Wells, Biddulph (new 1929 to Hilditch, Dresden). VT6280 ex-unknown operator (new 1931). Withdrawn unknown (VT2217, VT6280), 1947 (6).

Page 32 G & B Motor Services 1926 - 1974

1935 18 APT298 Dennis Lancet 170934 Dennis FC32F No. 18 modified to C32F c.1947. Withdrawn 1950 (18).

1936 9 CK4231 TSM B10A2 6591 Santus B32F 10 KP2054 TSM B10A2 5840 Beadle B31R 11 UF3070 TSM B10A2 5606 Short B32R 12 UF3586 TSM B10A2 5809 Tilling B32R 14 TV7917 TSM B39A7 8710 Willowbrook B32F Nos. 9 ex-Ribble Motor Services (No. 1493; new 1929 to Brookhouse Motors, Preston). No. 10 ex-Ribble Motor Services (No. 1219; new 1928 as demonstrator). Nos. 11, 12 ex-Southdown Motor Services (Nos. 610, 626 respectively; new 1928). No. 14 ex-Trent Motor Traction (No. 1212; new 1933 to Unity Bus Services, Nottingham). Withdrawn unknown (10, 11, 12), 1937 (9), 1950 (14).

Page 33 G & B Motor Services 1926 - 1974

1937 15 BUP805 TSM B39A7 8713 Northern Coachbuilders C32F No. 15 ex-Tilling-Stevens (new 1933 to East Kent Road Car; chassis returned to manufacturers 4/33 and rebuilt and re-bodied as shown). Withdrawn 1949 (15).

1938 - VT6042 TSM B10A2 6921 ? B34? 4 VT6043 TSM B10A2 6924 ? B32? 16 DPT127 TSM B39A7 8800 Plaxton C37F No. 4 and VT6042 ex-Potteries Motor Traction (Nos. 193, 194 respectively; new 1931 to Knight, Clewlow, Jackson & Lomax, Hanley [Nos. 7, 6 respectively]). Withdrawn 1939 (VT6042), 1948 (4), 1950 (16).

Page 34 G & B Motor Services 1926 - 1974

No. 15 (BUP805) was a 1937 TSM B39A7 with Northern Coachbuilders 32-seat coachwork. The gentleman leaning on the bonnet is ‘Sid’ Gilson, the garage manager. (LTHL collection). G & B Motor Services 1926 - 1974

1939 2 UF4646 Tilling-Stevens B10A2 6401 Short B32R 3 UF4649 Tilling-Stevens B10A2 6404 Short B32R 17 BWP423 Maudslay ML5B 5395 Plaxton C32F 19 ANR937 Maudslay ML5 5382 Holbrook C32F - NV1436 TSM B39A7 8698 Dixon B32F Nos. 2, 3 ex-Southdown Motor Services (Nos. 646, 647 respectively; new 1929). No. 17 ex-Teme Valley Motor Services (No. 31; new 1937). No. 19 ex-Toone, Billesdon (new 1938); fitted with Alexander C35F body ex-Alexander & Sons Leyland TS7 WG3506 c.1943). NV1436 ex-United Counties Omnibus Company (No. 396; new 1932). Withdrawn unknown (NV1436), 1947 (2), 1949 (19), 1950 (3), 1955 (17).

1942? 20 EW7752 Dennis Lancet 170242 Willowbrook B32F No. 20 ex-Barton Transport, Chilwell (No. 415; new 1933 to Golden Arrow, Ramsey). Withdrawn 1951 (20).

Page 36 G & B Motor Services 1926 - 1974

1945 24 YG750 Dennis Lancet 170130 Associated Coachbuilders B35F No. 24 ex-Ashman, Scorton (New 1932 to Camplejohn Brothers, Darfield [No. 9]); re-bodied as shown before entering service in 1947. Withdrawn 1954 (24).

1946 22 GPT678 AEC Regal O6624796 ECW B31R - JA2223 Dennis Lancet 170528 Eastern Counties B31R No. 22 had a new chassis fitted with second-hand body by Raine of Spennymoor, ex-North Western Road Car Company from a 1936 Bristol JO5G chassis (one of Nos. 754-803, which received new Brush bodies). In 1954 the ECW body was removed and scrapped; the chassis was lengthened to 30ft and the Raine body from OD2294 was lengthened to fit by Baker and became B39F; to Gillett Brothers (Motor Services) Ltd 10/59 retaining fleet number. JA2223 ex-North Western Road Car Company (No. 623; new 1934). Withdrawn 1950 (JA2223).

Page 37 G & B Motor Services 1926 - 1974

No. 22 (GPT678), was a 1946 AEC Regal, originally fitted with a second-hand ECW body but later received a lengthened 39-seat Raine body as seen here. (LTHL collection). G & B Motor Services 1926 - 1974

1947 23 HUP133 AEC Regal O6625625 Leyland B34F No. 23 had a new chassis fitted by Baker with second-hand Leyland body from unknown source; withdrawn following accident in 1950; subsequently fitted with unknown BET-style body and then the Burlingham B32F body ex-VN8950. Withdrawn 1957 (23).

1948 26 JUP233 AEC Regal III 6821A125 Burlingham B35F No. 26 to Gillett Brothers (Motor Services) Ltd 10/59 retaining fleet number.

Page 39 G & B Motor Services 1926 - 1974

No. 23 (HUP133) was a 1947 AEC Regal that was fitted with a number of second-hand bodies during its time with Baker. (LTHL collection). G & B Motor Services 1926 - 1974

1949 25 VD6510 AEC Regal O6621929 Pickering C32F 27 KPT333 Maudslay Marathon III 70379 Duple C35F - OD2294 Leyland LT5 573 Raine B32F No. 25 ex-A1 Service, Ardrossan (No. 33; new 1936 to Baillie Brothers, Dumbarton). No. 27 to Gillett Brothers (Motor Services) Ltd 10/59 retaining fleet number. OD2294 ex-Jewitt & Sons, Spennymoor; body (new in 1946) to No. 22 (GPT678) in 1954. Withdrawn 1954 (OD2294, 25). 1950 19 PJ2659 Dennis Lancet 170002 Burlingham B33F 28 LPT433 AEC Regal III 6821A533 ACB B37F - GN5143 Leyland TS3 61808 ECW C31R No. 19 ex-Cosy Coaches, Meadowfield (new 1932 as Dennis demonstrator); body (new 1949) lengthened to 30ft and fitted to new No. 19 (GKA278) in 1954. No. 28 to Gillett Brothers (Motor Services) Ltd 10/59 retaining fleet number. GN5143 ex-United Counties Omnibus Company (No. 315; new 1931 to Premier Omnibus Co, London). Withdrawn 1953 (GN5143), 1954 (19).

Page 41 G & B Motor Services 1926 - 1974

1949 Maudslay Marathon III No. 27 (KPT333) with Duple 35-seat coachwork is seen here in Bishop Auckland Market Place in August 1959. (John Boylett courtesy John Kaye). G & B Motor Services 1926 - 1974

GN5143 was a 1931 Leyland TS3 with ECW 31-seat coachwork that was acquired from United Counties in 1950. After withdrawal in 1953 the body was rebuilt to forward entrance, lengthened and fitted to No. 32 (AHL66). (LTHL collection). G & B Motor Services 1926 - 1974

1951 29 DNL166 Maudslay Marathon III 70344 Whitson C33F - VN8950 Maudslay ML5G 5309 Burlingham B32F No. 29 ex-Jordan, Bedlington (new 1949 to A&J Coaches, Bedlington);to Gillett Brothers (Motor Services) Ltd 10/59 retaining fleet number. VN8950 ex-Pearson, Hetton-le-Hole (new 1936 to Hall Bros., South Shields [No. 15]); probably acquired for spares and may not have been operated; Burlingham body (new 1945) fitted to No. 23 (HUP133). Withdrawn unknown (VN8950). 1952 - DR5798 AEC Regal 662002 Plaxton C35F DR5798 ex-Armstrong, Westerhope (new 1929 to Plymouth Corporation [No. 84]). Withdrawn 1954 (DR5798). 1953 32 AHL66 Daimler CWA6 11863 ECW B39F No. 32 ex-West Riding Automobile Company (No. 267; new 1944 to Bullock & Sons [No. 267]); acquired as chassis only and fitted with body from GN5143 lengthened to 30ft and rebuilt to B39F as shown. Withdrawn 1958 (32).

Page 44 G & B Motor Services 1926 - 1974

1954 19 GKA278 AEC Regent O6617228 Burlingham B39F - DRN562 Leyland TS6 5071 Ormac C33F - BXD544 AEC Q 0762060 BRCW B35C No. 19 ex-Liverpool Corporation (No. A195; new 1942); lengthened to 30ft and fitted with the 1945 Burlingham B39F body from previous No. 19 (PJ2659); to Gillett Brothers (Motor Services) Ltd 10/59 retaining fleet number. DRN562 ex-Robson, Midgeholme (new 1934 to Oldham Corporation (No. 19) registered BU8255; re-bodied in 1951 as shown and re-registered). BXD544 ex-Robson, Midgeholme (new 1935 to London PTB [No. Q23]). Withdrawn 1955 (DRN562, BXD544). 1955 30 RUP662 AEC Reliance MU3RV497 Burlingham B44F 31 BAG418 AEC Regal O6624680 Croft B37F No. 30 to Gillett Brothers (Motor Services) Ltd 10/59 retaining fleet number. No. 31 ex-A1 Service, Ardrossan (No. 29; new 1946). Withdrawn 1958 (31).

Page 45 G & B Motor Services 1926 - 1974

No. 33 (TPT833), a 1956 AEC Reliance with Burlingham 44-seat bodywork. It passed to Gillett Brothers in October 1959 and was withdrawn in 1970. (John Boylett courtesy John Kaye). G & B Motor Services 1926 - 1974

1956 33 TPT833 AEC Reliance MU3RV807 Burlingham B44F No. 33 to Gillett Brothers (Motor Services) Ltd 10/59 retaining fleet number. 1957 34 WUP133 AEC Reliance MU3RV1556 Burlingham B45F No. 34 to Gillett Brothers (Motor Services) Ltd 10/59 retaining fleet number. 1958 35 533APT AEC Reliance MU3RV1892 Plaxton B45F - GWW224 AEC Regal 0962216 - - No. 35 to Gillett Brothers (Motor Services) Ltd 10/59 retaining fleet number. GWW224 ex-Bee-Line Roadways, West Hartlepool (chassis only, new 1947); was to have been fitted with Duple/Plaxton FC33F body ex-Hanson Buses, Huddersfield but the project was abandoned and both subsequently scrapped.

Page 47 © Local Transport History Library 2019

Additional information, corrections and arephotographs welcome.always Our general is: address email [email protected]

In producing this booklet reference has been made to the following publications: Historic Journal 941-HJ, PSV Circle, June 2018; website: www.bowburnhistory.co.uk. Additional information courtesy John Chambers (great, great grandson of J.J. Baker).

Photographs courtesy Donald Hudson, John Boylett (courtesy John Kaye) and John Kaye.

Series Editor: Peter Gould ([email protected])