1986.25.2

Postcard of HM The King inspecting 'Ole Bill' at Buckingham Palace

Auxiliary Omnibus Companies' Association

This ’bus was one of 300 seized 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 handed over to the army and they were painted khaki and several other changes were made, such as boarding up the windows, which meant they could carry 25 soldiers at a time. They were used at first to carry soldiers to where the fighting was going on. Later they were used as ambulances and even mobile pigeon lofts! This particular bus was from Willesden Garage and was nicknamed 'Ole Bill'. When it retired from service in 1920, the bus was taken to Buckingham Palce to be inspected by King George V. It was the first time the King had ever got on a bus.

1920-02-14

card

paper

length: 138 mm
height: 88 mm