From London to the frontlines in France during First World War
- Published
B-type buses were introduced in London in 1910 and were instantly popular. They were known for their reliability and were mass-produced so their parts could be easily interchanged.
One of only four remaining B-types is being restored to mark next year's centenary of the outbreak of World War One. The vehicle once operated between Barnes and Liverpool Street before being commandeered by the War Department.
Days after the war started 30 B-types were requisitioned by the War Department, but by the end of the conflict 1,000 London buses had been used
London buses produced between 1913 and 1914 were requisitioned for the war and many were adapted to carry troops while others were transformed into ambulances
B-type buses were hard to manoeuvre on the frontline. This bus was wrecked in St Eloi in France, two weeks after leaving the garage in Willesden Green in 1914
Drivers and mechanics had to strip the buses of all livery, paint them grey or khaki and board up the windows as soon as they landed in France
The team restoring the 1914 B-type bus have studied signage and advertisements on the original buses. They have managed to get some original pieces, but have reproduced the rest