• Welcome to this forum . We are a worldwide group with a common interest in Birmingham and its history. While here, please follow a few simple rules. We ask that you respect other members, thank those who have helped you and please keep your contributions on-topic with the thread.

    We do hope you enjoy your visit. BHF Admin Team

Walker Bros Transport Wharf Street Hockley

B

Brian95

master brummie
Does anyone have pictures of Harry Walkers Transport trucks from Wharf St, Hockley. In an idea world van no. W24 would be great. Dad worked for them and we used to travel with him to exciting places like Cadburys, ( guess why) the docks, Birds Custard, Rowntree, getting up at 5am and sleeping on the engine cover, waking in London, Liverpool or some other exotic place, boy did we have fun. Harry Walker the owner, his Daughter ??? she had a Metropolitan Car as a gift and a Lady who lived on Kingsbury road in the office, the mechanic was I think nicknamed "blackbat" for his dark greased hair.

Any and all information welcome
 
There are a few comments about Walker Bros on the thread link below around post #235

B

Post in thread 'Park Road Hockley'

Forward said:
Hi

I lived in Wharf Street, off Park Road circa 1954/5. Always had aggro with a transport company up there.

Also with mates I used a small pub of which my mates girlfriend lived in a back house rear of pub. Location of pub is by the corner, a barbers was just around the corner (I think)

Any photos of Wharf Street - name of pub - photo of pub -- please

Ray
Click to expand...
Dad worked for Walker Bros transport, drove W24, we lived in Park Road
 
Brian95 said:
Does anyone have pictures of Harry Walkers Transport trucks from Wharf St, Hockley. In an idea world van no. W24 would be great. Dad worked for them and we used to travel with him to exciting places like Cadburys, ( guess why) the docks, Birds Custard, Rowntree, getting up at 5am and sleeping on the engine cover, waking in London, Liverpool or some other exotic place, boy did we have fun. Harry Walker the owner, his Daughter ??? she had a Metropolitan Car as a gift and a Lady who lived on Kingsbury road in the office, the mechanic was I think nicknamed "blackbat" for his dark greased hair.

Any and all information welcome
Click to expand...
Harry‘s daughter was called Yvonne
 
Hi Brian,
My father and brother both worked for Walkers Transport in Hockley, I used to go with them regularly when I was young.
There used to be some photo's of their trucks on the net but they seem to have disappeared.
Their yard was at the top of Wharf St on the right, full of the classics of the day, Atkinsons,Guy big J4's and the D series Ford etc.
I remember old man Walker, he used to take us to see my father in hospital after he had a smash in one of his trucks.
I have the newspaper cutting with his truck if you are interested.
 
have to say i cant recall a wharf st in hockley would anyone have a map please showing its exact location...think there is a wharf st over aston way

lyn
 
Hello everyone,

I’m Derek Swinbourne’s daughter and I’m trying to gather memories and information about Walker Brothers Transport, particularly the Deykin Avenue/Wharf Street depot in Birmingham.

My dad worked there for many years, and my brother John Swinbourne also worked there for a time as well.

Sadly, we lost Dad this year and I’ve recently been looking back through old memories, photos and work history. I’ve already seen some lovely nostalgic posts on here mentioning Walker Brothers, Cadburys, Birds Custard and Rowntree, which brought back memories for our family too.

I was wondering whether anyone here:
  • Worked at the depot
  • had family who worked there,
  • remembers the drivers/workshops,
  • or might have photographs or stories from that time.
Even small memories or names would mean a lot to us.

Thank you so much,
Jane
 
Thank you so much for replying.

From 1972 through to the closure. My dad Derek Swinbourne worked there for many years and my brother John Swinbourne also worked there for a time as well. I very often went there on Saturday's whenever they did any overtime. I fondly remember the bacon sarnies
From a local cafe.

I'm particularly interested in memories of the Deykin Avenue/Wharf Street depots, drivers, workshops and general day-to-day life there.

Any memories, names or photographs would be hugely appreciated.

Thank you again,
Jane
 
The closure of Walker Brithers Transport in December 1985 seems to have come out of the blue. Receivers turned up in December and impounded the vehicles, 60 drivers and 10 office workers to lose their jobs. On the 17 January it is reported by the TGWU that the drivers are very angry as they have not been paid since Xmas.

Later in June 1986 Malcolm Walker applied for to Licence another transport company. It was found that he had operated illegally in the East Midlands. Permission refused.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top