WOW I just did not expect this, just put the tractor away, come into the office for a shower, tea next, (but now a b …g.) how can I answer? Right, Trev H, Stans son, David, ran Stoke (Newcastle), then there was Brian, sister married Geoff Humpage, think he did used, do not know Steve, David eventually overall control. Now part of Crossroads Commercials. Was on the market for a bit, , like so many other cases where so many dedicated people have given so much for relatively so little, and created a company whose image and performance exceeded the managements ability, and perception.(personal opinion only etc)! Bert Shelly, going back now, and open to correction. Shelly with the Commers was Heath Town, before the redevelopment. I thought, two tone green, and then blue. Bert Shelly, did he not have a terraced house in Gordon St Blakenhall, where he demolished the living room and kitchen, thus could reverse his S20 cabbed 150 Gardner 4x2 unit, and 28ft coiler through into what had been the garden!! and he fitted a roller shutter door to the front!! I recall watching him do this on a number of occasions. Hello Chris Webb, Webbs AECs I think Chris Kelly bought the fleet when they closed,when he was at Red Cross Street, by the Molineux, and as you say its all housing now. Davies Bros Rolfe Street, Smethwick, no not the same work as Webbs, but gone I am afraid. When are they going to make Tromode instill the same standards for HGVs as over here? And are you stuck at 38 tonnes for ever?? Dont let them get rid of the horse trams, Tony Browns government has not done you any favours, has it. Did you know the only Saviem SM280 TU, ever imported into the UK was registered to Douglas Freight Services, 280 MAN, on those old black plates. I envy you a pint of Okells, and the Davidsons ice cream!! 240 Gardner,( Chris if Im not mistaken) ,Cartwrights Krupp cab ATKINSON, sat in the corner of the yard for years. I bid Alan Taylor 1000 pounds for her, got turned down, it was a strong bid. Sorry, as ever never thought to photograph her. Then forgot about her, (as I also did about Peter Blakes Krupp), love Atkinsons, but newly married needed the money for other things!! Kip, pleased to hear from you, tried to sell Neil an Atkinson Borderer, ■■■■■■■ 205 10speed Fuller. Full load of Pop on that Pitt, down the Stafford Road to Fordhouses, saw 68mph on the speedo! to this day I have never been round Three Tuns, or the Vine Islands at such velocity!! Happy days!! Well as an old luddite I will have a look at the other threads, and forgive me if I ramble on, Trev H, remember the Blue Nylon Spinners Bedford streamliners from Pontypool, at the Sunset? I thought they looked great. Did not mention Coopers Road Services at the Ball of Coven,or Kays, not forgetting Dennis Miers Tankers at Bushbury Lane, Frank Burton at Willenhall, the Halls arm of Fred and Tim Risbrooks Brevitts, Turpins at Short Heath, (KM4 &6 wheelers) Applebys Electronics Mercedes drawbars, Mervyn Applebys tipper fleet, (where I learned to my cost that Atkinson Defenders on coal and scrap where not as good , or as reliable (springs)!! as Fodens. Rowbothams, Applebys (New I nvention), Everitts, Heads, that London outfit with blue Seddons running from the service station at Short Heath, Im in big trouble, late for tea, and not yet washed!! got to go, (must not forget the many conviviable glasses of whisky consumed with Brendan Haywards father at Walsall, or the equally conviviable cups of tea with Barry Sanson in Harden Road). Got to get my tea, Silage tommorow, weather permitting, Bon Chance, Salut. Hear from you all soon. e
Saviem:
Hello Chris Webb, Webbs AECs I think Chris Kelly bought the fleet when they closed,when he was at Red Cross Street, by the Molineux, and as you say its all housing now. Davies Bros Rolfe Street, Smethwick, no not the same work as Webbs, but gone I am afraid. When are they going to make Tromode instill the same standards for HGVs as over here? And are you stuck at 38 tonnes for ever?? Dont let them get rid of the horse trams, Tony Browns government has not done you any favours, has it. Did you know the only Saviem SM280 TU, ever imported into the UK was registered to Douglas Freight Services, 280 MAN, on those old black plates. I envy you a pint of Okells, and the Davidsons ice cream!! e
Hi Saviem.Last I heard 44t was coming in on certain routes and vehicles over three tons gross are all subject to MOT at Tromode now.Owt over three axles was always subject to MOT over here anyway as far as I know,I’m retired so not involved with road transport any more.There are some people over here would like to do away with the horse trams and open a glue factory but they are in the minority.Okells ale still a good pint,not keen on ice cream.Do you have a photo of that Saviem - 280 MAN? what year would that have been?
Chris
Saviem, You was right it was David not Steve I went to colledge with 
. Bert Shelley had 2 stroke Commers when the firm was run from his mothers house on Wellington rd. Later he did have a little yard between the houses in Gordon st. I also remember the other Shelley’s with the blue motors
Trev_H:
Saviem, You was right it was David not Steve I went to colledge with
Trev,miles away from Walsall,nearer Penkridge really 
.Weren’t Craddock Brothers on the A449 on the R/H side between Four Ashes and Wolves? Green Atkis IIRC.
Is that Four Ashes site still open,used to go in there in the 70s,Midland Schenectady was one place.
Chris
Hi Chris , Yes Craddocks was on the old Stafford rd., the part that is now by-passed, they had a large fleet at one time and owned Lovells wharf in Greenwich where they imported zinc ingots, they sold out to Squires of Bloxwich late 80’s
The Four Ashes site is still operating where Midland tar distillers plant was and Gills transport are still there.
Kays transport moved from Coven heath to a site on the old Stafford rd. a few hundred yards from Craddocks yard.
Trev_H:
Hi Chris , Yes Craddocks was on the old Stafford rd., the part that is now by-passed, they had a large fleet at one time and owned Lovells wharf in Greenwich where they imported zinc ingots, they sold out to Squires of Bloxwich late 80’s
The Four Ashes site is still operating where Midland tar distillers plant was and Gills transport are still there.
Kays transport moved from Coven heath to a site on the old Stafford rd. a few hundred yards from Craddocks yard.
I remember Craddock Bros. had a nice fleet of Atki Mk1 8 wheeler flats when I was running up and down the road in the late 60s/early 70s! Dennis.
Saviem:
240 Gardner,( Chris if Im not mistaken) ,Cartwrights Krupp cab ATKINSON, sat in the corner of the yard for years. I bid Alan Taylor 1000 pounds for her, got turned down, it was a strong bid. Sorry, as ever never thought to photograph her. Then forgot about her, (as I also did about Peter Blakes Krupp), love Atkinsons, but newly married needed the money for other things!!
Ah well, it was worth asking! Even dafter question, does anyone know its reg??
I never did see one lying about in a yard but, there again, I would probably have needed the money for something else too! (And yes, correctly identified 
)
Bewick:
Trev_H:
Hi Chris , Yes Craddocks was on the old Stafford rd., the part that is now by-passed, they had a large fleet at one time and owned Lovells wharf in Greenwich where they imported zinc ingots, they sold out to Squires of Bloxwich late 80’s
The Four Ashes site is still operating where Midland tar distillers plant was and Gills transport are still there.
Kays transport moved from Coven heath to a site on the old Stafford rd. a few hundred yards from Craddocks yard.I remember Craddock Bros. had a nice fleet of Atki Mk1 8 wheeler flats when I was running up and down the road in the late 60s/early 70s! Dennis.
I think this may be a Peter Davis photo of a Craddock Atki…
Chris Webb:
I think this may be a Peter Davis photo of a Craddock Atki…
It certainly is, Chris! But this one isn’t
“FIRMS AROUND WALSALL”
OW DO OUR KIDS, Hello Gentlemen, Bonjour mes amis, just put the tractor away, did the designer of John Deere seats once work for Motor Panels, or even Foden?? My posterior and knees say yes, Apologies, I know Ive strayed from Walsall and its environs, but as I think the whole area comes together. Yes Trev H, its not Black Country,but its all tied together, so to answer Chris Webb, (living in Gods Country), and really far away from Walsall, here goes. 280 MAN, SM38TU, (to my knowledge the only one ever registered in the British Isles), Douglas Freight Services, International Removers and Road Hauliers, (Telex627127), about 1976/1977, acquired via Jean L"Haridon.Transports LHaridon, Cap du Finistere, Britany.On behalf of Allwood Transport, Cheltenham. (Don Grifiths company, run by my Old friend the late David Usher,) a truly super transport man.Probably originating from the Soucersale in Rennes, or my old friends at SANEP, in Normandy. Allwood is really worthy of a thread of its own, anyone care to start one? Still not at Walsall, but Craddock Bros, thanks for the photographs. I bought a few 8wheelers from them, well worn, some went up to Benson Transport at Ashington Northumberland, 40x8s, or900x20s, no brakes on the second steers, oh happy days, and I can still remember pulling out of their yard with a Mk1 150 Gardner Atkinson and 33ft Highway, (or could have been Boden coiler), being stopped by Alan Craddock, and waiting whilst the good mirrors were taken off, as the price I had paid did not include these!!(they did put some broken ones on to get me home)! Boy where they tight, and Dennis (Bewick) they may have some lories that looked smart from a distance, but unlike your motors they were well worn, and not too well maintained, and the family always seemed to be at war. Which one had the Greenhouses, do you know Trev H? Their old yard is now ND Brown, municipal rentals. Kays are in the old yard once occupied by the Spittle family, now were not their orange and blue Bedfords smart? Chirs W, Schenectady are still there, mainly Turks going in, (and geting stuck under the 3.8m bridge at Four Ashes,) but big power can get you through) Gosh I wish I had never learned to read UN Hazkem labels! you stay well back from these boys! And while I am in this part of the woods lets not forget A G Bird, again a long gone heavy haulage outfit, those home built trailers took some massive loads all over the UK. I remember taking an Atkinson 6x4 tractor, ■■■■■■■■ Fuller, with a big brass plate on the cab, 75tons GVW. to show Ken Bird. One problem, on entering their yard behind the Red White and Blue, public house at Featherstone, the passenger windscreen decided of its own volition to leap out onto the pavement!! Now if that was not enough disgrace in front of a Foden operator when I left the drivers window joined its compatriot on the pavenment! it was a long and very wet drive back to the Black Country, with the laughter of the pro Foden fitters still ringing in my ears! That lorry eventually went to Rawcliffe B ros at Maudsley, and I think ended up at Bob Wilsons Fun Fair at Hay Mills Birmingham. Sorry if I have been away from the main thread, could be age, and the memories flow so my apologies lastly anyone remember David Everitts 4wheel 16ton tipper built from a converted Sedon 32 220 Rolls tractor unit with a Drott on the drawbar trailer was an unforgetable sight, that 10speed Fuller made it a real goer! There I am back to Willenhall, nearly Walsall, I can go for my tea, Lastly Tom Nichol was mentioned earlier, he used to drive for Smith of Maddiston, and his roping and sheeting were a joy to behold, wonder if he ever drove a Big J 8LXB! before he went out on his own. Cheerio tea calls,Salut.
Good morning 240 Gardner, sorry cannot remember the reg of the Krupp, but am almost certain it was an old G. She sat for years at the side of the yard nearest the Willenhall Road. McPhees had a yard just up the road at Horsley Fields, I used to wonder how some of their Atkinson 8wheelers would ever get back up North. Great morning, the Swallows are back!! Cheerio.
wagsie:
Hi ya lads… Just dropped by to throw a bit of light on this one…Not been on here for awhile… not been to well of late…but all ok now I hope…Anyway to the list of firms…Well I’ve come up with.
Ackers & jarrett,… wolverhampton rd…( nee Express deliveries.) was the transport side off the truck rental…Before I get shouted at…And you all say it was a truck and van rental firm…I know i worked there.
S.T.S. Aldridge… I Believe they’re still going…
T nichol… Aldridge…sold out to Roadway International
Costin’s…Willenhall… Still going I believe…
Taylor’s …Aldridge…Ran into the ground by daughters…
Derek horton…Walsall…Still going i think.
P.T.Smith…Walsall…Don’t know about this one.
Leander…Walsall wood…Not sure think they may still be going.
Mears… Great Wyrley…still going…
Foster’s…Cheslyn hay…There still going…
I’ll think of some more…And get back to you all… Chat later… Wagsie…
was shorthouses from walsall area
marathon1975:
no1toker:
marathon1975:
hi no1toker i’ll have a look for ya i took the photos when my mate was drivin for the in the mid nintes i was at starr at the time i think i got a spare copy of truck with the erf ec on the front cover i’ll dig it out for ya to have.scotty
hi scotty! any pics will b gladly appreciated! i had that copy of truck with the ec on but lost it years ago! who was your mate that worked for squires ?
carl and keith father and son he use to drive E418 SVF then they went on nights
i remember carl and keieth i am nathan scott and was on the yard shunting at the time and that truck e418svf robin jones had that when he worked for leyton and steel and squiers took them over. last i heard carl was on for bakers and keith was on for bomers.
Morning, beamerz1, Shorthouse were Strawberry Lane, on for Perrys Steel Stock,the other brother was at Bridgnorth, tippers as well as gereral. Both fleets red green and white. Both, I think long gone. Sid layton and Des Steele, Greadier Street, Short Heath, Willenhall, lovely little fleet, offices in a terraced house opposite, was it Sids sister in the office? Cheerio.
curnock:
Horice kendricks in green lane
Oscar johnsons in portland street opposite haywards yard
C j sharman haulage northcote street
S jones of aldridge
Pickards of chapel street pelsall
remember Mckecknie metals in aldridge when they ran them six wheeler bedford km’s
Savilles tankers
Sansom transport. harden road ,leamore
Squires.fryers road,bloxwich
A f blakemores started in blloxwich lane with them old leyland boxers and mastiffs
Hewitt international
Guymers.station road rushall
let me sleep on it and i’ll have a few more
any info on hewitt international? my dad ran a firm in the 70’s before i was born, he dont remember where he said his yard was, just wondering if it was my dads firm, he was called lenny
Anyone remember Boden Transport? I moved from Spencer Abbot when they finished.They sold my lorry to Boden Transport and I went with it, I worked for Bill Boden for a number of years, the lorries I drove for him from new were,
Albion Reiver LAD (5115 DH ), Guy Big J 8 24t Gross (GDH 36H), and my final pride and joy a 30t Gross Big J 8 with a ■■■■■■■ 220 I could push this beast up to 70 mph on the M5, M50, and M4, Never got pulled for speeding but did loose half my load of beans from a pit in South Wales when my sheet blew off.
When my friend Carl Sharman left Bodens I went with him and did his Scotland runs in a D series ford Luton van. He also had a repair shop which I eventually inherited and we went our separate ways, When Bill Boden passed away Carl moved from Forest Lane back to Northcote Street and built up quite a sizeable fleet.
Thanks for letting me remenis I’m 72 now and wonder how many ex Boden drivers are still alive?
Hi ciggy110, Welcome to the site and this thread. I remember the name of Boden’s, but can recall no more than that and I personally had no dealings with them. I did, however subb a bit for Carl Sharman, not sure which yard it would have been, but it was a tight entry, down between the houses. Always got on with him well and found him straight as a die, in fact one day he rang me and said he had a firm wanting a job doing but he wasn’t too sure about them and as he was busy I could have the work direct, but to be a bit careful. I took the work and yes, they did go a bit wobbly, but I stuck with them and the three partners went their separate ways, so I ended up working for all of them for several years. I always admired Carl for his honesty at the outset, as I met a few in my time that weren’t so open about things! 
P.S. was your workshop at his yard?
i worked for carl sharman early 90’s,he had an old photo of a boden 8 wheeler tipper on the office wall.i’m sure billy boden was his father in law.
Do you know curnock, when I had finished posting that I had a vague thought that Carl was related to Boden’s but not being too sure of things these days, thought I best keep stum! 
