[GP]

The answer is, (From The M&D bus enthusiasts forum) which I have copied here:


In the absence of a solution to this one I showed the photo at yesterday's Club meeting in Hastings in the hope that someone might know more, and am pleased to say that someone did!

My thanks therefore to John Tippey who told us that the photo of DL318 (or just 318 if it was before the 1950 renumbering) was in fact taken outside the M&D depot in Gravesend (presumably near to the rear entrance in Stuart Road), by the late Tony Green.  He had set the blinds deliberately for the photo, though of course we still don't know why it carried a display for route 18 in the first place

I guess that one should never take such destination or route number displays too literally, particularly in photographs taken at or near depots.

[JohnH]

Just a little point - the reference on an earlier posting should be to David Berry (not David Barton) of The Leyland Society.

[JohnH]

I wonder if MIKEB should forward this whole correspondence (including photograph) to the editor of "Buses" magazine for consideration for a future "Vintage Fenton File" feature.  Maybe some kind person would then come up with more information!

[Nemo]

It's delightfully infuriating and one can't help but feel that the answer's going to be obvious - once you know it!

Just a thought Mikeb, where did you get the image from? I don't particularly mean who took it or who collected it, but rather that I wonder what images were either side of it on the roll.

[mikeb]

No JohnH, Good thought but I have checked there with no luck.

[JohnH]

Just a thought - although The M&D and East Kent Bus Club has not replied to me, I wonder if this photo is one of their collection, in which case the originator of this item should consider trying that organisation

[mikeb]

JohnH, and indeed all those who searched, many thanks. I guess we will never know exactly where CKO 996 was resting, or why! Thanks again, but I do find out eventually, I'll post the answer in Guess Where!

[JohnH]

Just for the record, in addition to Dick Gilbert I also contacted Ian Smith (he of Ian's Bus Stop website fame) as well as The Leyland Society, The M&D and East Kent Bus Club, the Southdown Enthusiasts' Club (because this M&D vehicle is on a joint route with Southdown), The PSV Circle and The Omnibus Society.  Apart from David Barton of The Leyland Society (who said that they had no information), none of the others replied.

[JohnH]

Dick Gilbert (he of Classic Buses website fame) points out that this bus was retired in 1951 so the photo probably dates from 1950 or before.  Apparently the M&D depot on Sandhurst Road in Hawkhurst was opened only in 1950 and the previous depot was on Winchester Road with an upper-level yard for 3 vehicles entered from the road and a lower-level yard for 4 vehicles entered from the rear.  Dick wonders if this photo could have been taken at the Winchester Road site.

[mikeb]

Yes, that must be possible. If the loan was for a long period, say more than a week, then a Hawkhurst  (or any other depot who borrowed it) would have fitted their own blinds. Whoever had it on loan, it was only temporary, as the BG disc is still fitted. These were only changed on permanent transfer.

[JohnH]

Another idea!

Could Hawkhurst depot (HK) have borrowed this bus from BG for the 97, in which case could they then have put it out on the 18 in place of a failed vehicle?  That at least would explain the correct blinds.

[JohnH]

I have just thought of a number of possible sources of information.  However, I think they would be more likely to reply to someone on behalf of Kent History Forum than to a private individual.

1. Dick Gilbert (he of "Classic Buses" website fame)
2. Ian Smith (he of "Ian's Bus Stop" website fame)
3. The M & D and East Kent Bus Club (possible contact Nicholas King)
4. The Southdown Enthusiasts' Club (since the 18 was one of a number of routes run jointly by M&D and Southdown)
5. The Leyland Society (contact Mike Sutcliffe)
6. The PSV Circle
7. The Omnibus Society

Hopefully one or more of these will post something on this site and hopefully resolve this query!

[redge]

Looks to me a bit like Tunbridge Wells, but I haven't found the road yet. Still looking

[KeithJG]

I am now on the search also.

Living in Duncan Road Gillingham and both my parents worked for M&D in the 40`s and 50`s my hobby was collecting bus numbers and so i have dug out my old Ian Allan books dated from 1948.

They maybe a tad early as I am having trouble finding the reg. number.

It is obvious that this bus is in service as the destination roller says it`s route but route 18 was from Hawkhurst - Heathfield - Brighton and nothing to do with too far North BG. Although from that garage the route destination would not show what it does it would say "Relief".

Just found the details of the bus.

................

Just noticed it is two years ago almost to the day

[mikeb]

It is always surprising when a long dead topic re-surfaces! A year almost to the day!
Thanks to all who responded, but I still do not know the location of this photo. I now tend to think it was in Sussex / Brighton.
Certainly buses could be borrowed, loaned or even purloined in times of need, I've done it myself many times. This particular "loan" , if it was a loan, was long enough for the bus to be fitted out with correct blinds.
Before ser. 122 was split at T.Wells, T.Wells, Borough Green and Gravesend all had a share of the working, but I understood only T.Wells & Gravesend buses worked through to Brighton. I am not aware of any interworking between 122 & 18, but yes possible.
Ser. 18 was operated I believe by Gillingham, T. Wells and Southdown.
A thought, could there have been a temporary diversion on 18 which sent it under a low bridge and therefore low height buses were drafted in?
JohnH, your mystery TD4 could have been a replacement for a failed lowbridge at B. Green? to be replaced on the return working. I am surprised that B.Green had any normal height deckers at all, in my time all deckers were low, to give maximum flexibility.