Alexander Francis Smith
knowlegable brummie
does anyone have any connection with shenstone transport, their depot was at marsh lane erdington, my dad was named vic smith who drove for them during the forties up till 1953,
Dad used to take me to marsh lane on some sat mornings to see the lorries. I remember him talking to Vic, I remember a driver going over to the cafe to get bacon egg and tomato sandwiches ( very messy! )Re: lorries
yes please do put on more info on shenstone transport, my father victor smith drove for shenstone transport from at least 1939 to 1953 and reg mills was my dads manager, sometimes my dad would be upset at some of the drops that your dad used to give him to do. it would often entail nights away from home which i didnt like very much. but, that was the way it had to be during the war years. it was transport operators like shenstone that kept our country going.
That's actually a wonderful sandwich!Dad used to take me to marsh lane on some sat mornings to see the lorries. I remember him talking to Vic, I remember a driver going over to the cafe to get bacon egg and tomato sandwiches ( very messy! )
When I talk about moving to Court lane with my family, I will put a few more facts about court lane.You are correct. Shenstone transport moved to Rushey lane. If I remember correctly, Douglas who owned the land at Marsh lane wanted to build there, so my family moved to Court lane Erdington. Dad located a suitable yard in Rushey lane and the move was made. Since it is over 70 years since the following happened I will write what I remember!
Shenstone transport was owned by Transport development who were in London. At some time they contacted my Dad, they wanted to add a storage premises to Shenstones haulage. Dad found a facility not far from Rushey lane, there was a meeting and both businesses combined. Transport development then sacked Dad and put the boss of the storage facility in charge of both, Shenstone was finished and the two companies called Storage and Haulage ltd. Dad had been with Shenstone quite a long time, didn’t get a golden handshake.
I think this may fill a few gaps? An address I remember was Ammington road but don’t remember why.
As a matter of interest some of the lorries I remember are,
Fordsons, ERF, Foden, Albion chieftons, LWB Jenson, an A55 van was used for Dunlop special
products.
More to follow if questions asked!,
Reg Mills
This forum is remarkable, it makes it possible to relive the past, it unlocks so many memories........I just about remember a large house being demolished to make way for Rutherford Drive.
The Spinney I believed is a piece of land owned by Oscott College. It was always kept locked, but there was always one railing missing that we could squeeze through. We played in the spinney quite a lot as kids.
There may be some covenant on it
when I think hard about it, not easy these days, the entrance to Shenstone transport was off Brookvale walk. I don’t remember the Royal Oak , I was a bit too young for a pint in those days!,thinking again was it Bolton walk? Sorry it’s a very long time ago!I lived in Marsh Lane from 1950 to 1961, my memory is not good but was Shenstone Transport next to the Royal Oak, I remember seeing lorries there on my way to work.
I lived a bit further down in the police houses on the dual carriageway.
This forum is remarkable, it makes it possible to relive the past, it unlocks so many memories........
I did go through the bent railing access to the spinney, and often wondered why it was there. I used to catch the 5A to and from Witton when I was an apprentice at Higgs Motors and prior to that to and from KEGS Aston so passed the spinney most days. I also went to Tedbury crescent school for about a year or so. Court lane was also the home of a Jaguar racing driver with 10 lap records that still stand today. I also remember going to Erdington on the midland red with my mother, catching it at the top of goosemore lane and court lane. S76 via court lane and S67 via goosemore . Every 15 min service, good old days.
Does anyone remember the sand pits at I think the junction of wheelright road and Minstead road B24?
Reg mills
Court lane 1933 showing Greyhound Pub (Photo: B'ham Central Librarywhen I think hard about it, not easy these days, the entrance to Shenstone transport was off Brookvale walk. I don’t remember the Royal Oak , I was a bit too young for a pint in those days!,
No, I remember the Salford bridge end of minstead road, my cousins lived towards the bottom on the RH side. The sand area I am thinking about was the other end of minstead towards wheelwright road.Are you thinking of the sandy outcrop that is at Salford Bridge and behind the houses of Minstead Road.
This forum is remarkable, it makes it possible to relive the past, it unlocks so many memories........
I also remember going to Erdington on the midland red with my mother, catching it at the top of goosemore lane and court lane. S76 via court lane and S67 via goosemore . Every 15 min service, good old days.
Reg mills
My grandad worked for Ernest Holmes just prior to the sale to Henley Forklifts, always sopke very highly of the firm and always refered to him as Mr Holmes. (His name was David Reynolds.)When my dad Reg Mills left Shenstone transport situations were difficult. He got in touch with Ernest Holmes, who gave him a job checking his lorries. Ernest Holmes was contracted by Garringtons to move goods into and out of Garringtons . Dad decided to move to Bromsgrove to elimate travel costs, and I moved to Aldridge. Dad knew Ernest Holmes some years previously, I remember him taking me to one of his yards under the railway arches in Digbeth. I remember seeing a huge pile of WW1 tent pegs and an aircraft tug.dad worked for him for a number of years till health and age got him to retire.
In 1966 I became development engineer at Henley Forklift, Ernest Holmes was the chairman!
In 1969 I approached Ernest Holmes for the last time, and purchased from him the white baby grand piano from the Casterway club in Bradford Street. I hope this may be of interest. Reg Mills
Reynolds, welcome to The Forum! A very interesting place with great people and SO much knowledge!My grandad worked for Ernest Holmes just prior to the sale to Henley Forklifts, always sopke very highly of the firm and always refered to him as Mr holmes. (His name was David Reynolds.)
Thanks Richard, I have loads of pictures of his time in the Birmingham transport scene, will post a few if they are of interest.Reynolds, welcome to The Forum! A very interesting place with great people and SO much knowledge!
reynolds453 welcome to the forum, looking forward to seeing some of your photographs. RobTThanks Richard, I have loads of pictures of his time in the Birmingham transport scene, will post a few if they are of interest.
Yes please. Birmingham transport companies are high on my list.Thanks Richard, I have loads of pictures of his time in the Birmingham transport scene, will post a few if they are of interest.
Yes please. Birmingham transport companies are high on my list.