demobbed CMPs

[Les Freathy]

Ford 15cwt converted to a civvy breakdown by Henlys one of the largest motor agents in the south, very little change to the cab and chassis

[David_Hayward (RIP)]

Where the heck were Henlys in Brentford? They had a large dealership (Austin, etc) at Henlys Corner, Hounslow, the roundabout where the A4 Bath Road meets the top of the A30 Great South West Road round the corner from where we lived. The truck must be outside another dealership about five miles east or so on the Great West Road at Brentford near Lincoln Cars. Performance Cars (MG and sports cars), Mercedes-Benz HQ, Ramblers (at Chiswick roundabout), etc. and of course the late lamented Firestone factory. I'll ask Dad tomorrow!

[Colin R]

Down by Gunnersbury Park, opened in 1937, building was used by Martini in 1950 then Fiat 1978.

http://www.brentford.inuk.com/hgwest7.htm

http://www.brentford.inuk.com/henly.htm

[David_Hayward (RIP)]

Such sweet memories of The Golden Mile, before the M4 elevated motorway.

It was on the 21st March 1945 at 9.30 hours when a V2 Long Range Rocket fell and exploded on the Packard factory on the Great West Rd

As I said Ken Matthews was in the canteen at the time and should not have been there. This must have been on eof the last V2s to have been launched.

[Les Freathy]

Nice nostalgic shot in London of a CMP 15cwt recovery, sorry cant make out who the owner was due to the angle of the photo
cheers
Les

[David_Hayward (RIP)]

The rego appears to be a London 1947 one, and is that a Humber behind? The location for those who don't know is Parliament Square, and behind is St Jame's Clocktower, aka Big Ben (the big bell in the tower). Behind the photographer and to the right is Westminster Abbey. The view is facing south towards the Thames. It appears that behind is an Austin FX3 taxi and behind that an Austin 12hp taxi? The FX3 appears to have a LL- rego so that dates it to at least 1950.

The phone number on the wrecker appears to be AMB 4141..AMB... exchange. Don't know that one! Sorry....in those days exchanges used the first three letters of the exchange, e.g. MAYfair 1234.

[Les Freathy]

A couple more photos of civilianised CMPs in the UK
cheers
Les