FPO 12C is in Peterborough.
You are both more than welcome to see it (please PM me to arrange if you want to), but I warn you, although it is still a rolling vehicle with engine etc, the cab is completely stripped so it doesn’t look much like an Atkinson anymore!.
I have some further photos which the previous owner gave me before it was stripped, and I will post these here later.
Thanks for your posts ERF. Upon reflection, as the cab is stripped, it would be a long way to come to see a chassis and drive train. Perhaps if I’m up that way I may call to see if it’s convenient. Regarding the radiators, I know that when Robert Baillie & Co Ltd was first started, most of the people involved, my Father included, were from a transport background. I can’t speak for the others but my Father, who was to be the mechanic and later to become fleet engineer, had had previous experience with Atkinson Silver Knight vehicles when he worked at Lucazade. I do know that Mr Baillie also came from (either Beechams or Lucazade but the two became one around that time) so he would most likely have been involved with vehicle spec and purchase. As you will know in those days when you bought a new commercial vehicle you had a lot of options for the specification. I don’t know just how many vehicles there were to start the whole thing off, but I do know that the fleet numbers started at 10 for the Tractor Units and 100 for the Trailers. zoom in on a number of the pictures I posted and you can tie in Reg No’s for numbers 11 and 12. I would love to see any more pictures you have of FPO 12C. And if you ever do consider rebuild it, well then I’d definitely be in the queue to come and see. All the Best to you!
Through the magic of TrucknetUK, I have been in contact with Roy Sumner,
who I first met in 1968,and then again in early 1970 when I started work at
Robert Baillie & Co Ltd,at their Wigan Depot. Roy was with Robert Baillie
from 1969 until about 1975. Thank You TrucknetUK,
Regards, Ray Smyth.
My knowledge of the history of Robert Baillie & Co Ltd is rather limited.
When I joined the company,early 1970, I was given to understand that
Mr Baillie had been a Transport Consultant with Beecham Group, and had
done a consultation for the Guernsey Tomato Marketing Board. He then
went on to form his own transport operation in the early to mid 60s,
his main source of traffic was the Tomatoes from Guernsey.
At that time, the tomatoes came ashore at Shoreham,so Mr Baillie opened
a depot at Peacehaven. From about 1969, the Guernsey produce began to
arrive at Portsmouth,so the company,almost in its entirety,moved to Portsmouth.
Tranship depots were soon established at Wigan and Doncaster, to serve the
wholesale fruit & vegetable markets in the North of England, Scotland, and
Belfast. Regular return traffic was available from Heinz at Wigan,for delivery
to Heinz at Harlesden,NW10,London, and also Heinz depot at Southampton.
The company continued to prosper, and moved to larger premises at Horndean,
purchasing the former depot of Percy Powell Transport in 1970.
Regards, Ray Smyth.
Further to my last post, regarding the main source of traffic, the tomatoes from Guernsey,
the tomato season was from mid February until mid November,outside of this period,the
work was quite varied. For example, French cauliflowers from Brittany, Onions from Spain
on a Macpac, also oranges from Spain on a Macpac. Bales of rubber to Dunlop Footwear in
Speke,Liverpool… Bales of wool to Bradford and Keighley. Sugar Beet was another source
of work,which was delivered to British Sugar at Kidderminster by the night trunker from
Horndean,on his way north to Wigan. A few trailers had been fitted with side and tail boards,
about 3ft 6ins high specially for the sugar beet. I do not know were the sugar beet came from
but I expect some of you Hampshire boys will know. Regards, Ray Smyth.
I have made contact with another “Robert Baillie” driver, Les Fuge, he was based at Horndean,
And was on regular night trunk to Wigan. We covered quite a few miles on the phone a couple
of nights ago. Fond Memories. Ray Smyth.
I know its not a lorry, It is a “Stanier Black 5”. The building in the background with the
four Gable Ends was Fyffes Banana Warehouse until the early 60s in Wigan town centre.
From approx. 1965, the building was occupied by Robert Baillie Transport,until they
moved to their new premises in 1977, near to Junction 25 M6. During the 60s,
Baillies obtained 6 x 30ft ISO Insulated containers for loading “Jamaica Producers Bananas”
from London Docks for delivery throughout the U.K. In the early 70s,following dock strikes
in London, The “Banana Boats” began to arrive at Sheerness. The 1st photo is courtesy of
Ron Hunt at the “Wigan World” forum. 2nd photo is from Tim Walker, 3rd photo is from
Eddie Heaton. Regards, Ray Smyth.
This is a section from a photograph taken in 1982. Although it’s just a general view looking towards Wigan from the Wheatlea Industrial Estate, Robert Baillie’s yard just happens to be included at the edge of the shot. It may prove to be of some interest. Apologies however for the picture’s poor quality.
Regards. Eddie.
AOR 655J was Baillies first Atkinson Borderer with a Gardner 180.
From new,it was driven by Dave Youldon (RIP). Dave was based at
Horndean, and was a regular night trunker up to Wigan Depot.
It is seen here loaded with “Jersey Royal” potatoes. The photo
is courtesy of Mick Ansell, Former Transport Manager with Percy Powell
Transport, and Robert Baillie Transport. Regards, Ray Smyth.
In late 1969,or early 1970, Robert Baillie Transport bought the Depot and fleet
of lorries of Percy Powell Transport at Horndean. This TK Bedford JRV 300F
was one of the Percy Powell fleet, It was based at Wigan Depot for a short time
in 1970, and I never saw it again after that. Thanks to Mick Ansell for the photo.
Ray Smyth.
Horndean depot of Robert Baillie, approx 1971/1972. The Registration numbers appear to be
from left to right, AOR 656J. YCG 734J. 5505 ET. XOT 574J. VWJ 174F. OPN 26F. XOT 573J.
AOU 595J. NAP 30F. The Reg No details go a bit blurred when I enlarge it.
Photo is courtesy of Mick Ansell. Regards, Ray Smyth.
Hi DEANB, Thank you for your post and comments on the “Robert Baillie” thread.
Also,thanks for enlarging the only “Robert Baillie” picture that I have. The last 3
pictures on here are courtesy of Mick Ansell of Horndean,who was formerly the
Transport Manager at Percy Powell Transport,and also at Robert Baillie during
the time that I drove for them in the early 70s. Thanks also to Mrs Molly Phipps,
widow of Amos Phipps, also a manager at Horndean, for some of the pictures,
and to Eddie Heaton,Senior Member/Trucknet,for the pictures taken at Wigan
depot. Just a few days ago,I decided to spread my search a little wider,after
I found a Sussex thread on Trucknet,because it was at Peacehaven where the
company started off in the mid 60s. I have seen some of your interesting posts
on the “Poole” thread, and also “Duke De Normandie” thread.
Kind Regards, Ray Smyth.
AEC Mandator GTR 953D became a “Robert Baillie” lorry, early 1970.
I recall a chap called Bill Penwarden being its Baillies driver.
Regards, Ray Smyth.
Ray Smyth:
Hi DEANB, Thank you for your post and comments on the “Robert Baillie” thread.
Also,thanks for enlarging the only “Robert Baillie” picture that I have. The last 3
pictures on here are courtesy of Mick Ansell of Horndean,who was formerly the
Transport Manager at Percy Powell Transport,and also at Robert Baillie during
the time that I drove for them in the early 70s. Thanks also to Mrs Molly Phipps,
widow of Amos Phipps, also a manager at Horndean, for some of the pictures,
and to Eddie Heaton,Senior Member/Trucknet,for the pictures taken at Wigan
depot. Just a few days ago,I decided to spread my search a little wider,after
I found a Sussex thread on Trucknet,because it was at Peacehaven where the
company started off in the mid 60s. I have seen some of your interesting posts
on the “Poole” thread, and also “Duke De Normandie” thread.Kind Regards, Ray Smyth.
How many yards did they have in total then Ray,and how big was the total fleet roughly ■■
Another Percy Powell Artic,an AEC Mercury, Reg.No. LRV 974G,
which became a Robert Baillie vehicle,early 1970. At that time
it was driven by Jimmy Farmer, who soon after,was the driver
of Baillies first Atkinson Borderer with a 220 ■■■■■■■ engine and
a 6 Speed ZF gearbox, Reg.No. XOT 573J. Regards, Ray Smyth.
Two more Percy Powell artic units,soon to be in the Robert Baillie fleet.
POU 920G, Ford D Series D2417,and MTR 646F,24 Ton GVW AEC Mercury.
They are pictured on the A3,north of Horndean,en route to Tilbury Docks.
I passed my HGV Class 1 on this Ford artic at Lancing in 1970,and I believe
Tony Mapson passed his Class 1 in the same vehicle soon after. Ray Smyth.
Those two boat hulls were they ex Halmatic, at Havant
DISPATCHER:
Those two boat hulls were they ex Halmatic, at Havant
Yes,they were from Halmatic,on their way to a Carribean Island. Regards, Ray Smyth.
