1920's? Brook House, Kenton Lane-Very early electric float E7, AUC 428. Depot probably near Brazier's Farm. (Courtesy Michael Aldread)
1920's? Very early float, E11-1220 (Courtesy Michael Aldread)
1920's Highgate float JJ 872 "London's Largest Dairy Farmers". (Mark Hudson comments "This looks like late 1920s to me. Wooden crates, shown here, were used up to about 1930 and replaced with riveted metal plate crates." Courtesy Michael Aldread)
1921 Ford Delivery vans by Bob Wishart in Motherwell
1926 This Morris Cowley was purchased by the Express as a 10cwt van and milk float. A classic ‘squashed’ Bullnose on chassis no 169743, fleet no 99, RP 3530, it was first registered in Northampton, in 1926, but was purchased second-hand from Freeman & Fisher of Eltham High Street in April 1929. No record of maintenance costs exist for this one, but it passed to the Ranburn Magneto Company in Greenwich in June 1932 for £5; the name of Ranburn still trades in the area. (Courtesy The Express Dairy Motorised Fleet, Allan Bedford, Heritage Machines)
1930's delivery in London. (Courtesy Dave Fane)
1932 Electric Delivery Van
1930's Early electric vehicle from Electricars Ltd. TH Lewis truck with Hurlingham Depot livery.(Courtesy Dave Fane)
1931 A fabulous, original photograph of the first refrigerated van built for the Express, by J&E Hall of Dartford, on a Morris-Commercial ‘TX’ 30/40cwt chassis, no 27539. Becoming fleet no 68, GO 9043, the chassis cost £284 4s, and the specialised bodywork and painting added a further £488. Entering the fleet in March 1931, the body was removed in May 1935, being replaced by a simpler affair costing £98. Total ‘docking’ costs between 1932 and 1938 amounted to £477. When sold in March 1940, to a buyer in Archway Road, N6, it realised just £5. (Courtesy The Express Dairy Motorised Fleet, Allan Bedford, Heritage Machines)
1932 Express Dairy Transport (Courtesy Paul Smith)
1932 Express Dairy Transport (Courtesy Paul Smith)
1948-1950 Easter Bank Holiday accident at Highbury, London N5
1929 This went onto the market in 1926 as the ‘Divco’, powered by a 4-cylinder Continental engine with Warner 4-speed transmission. The first 25 Divcos were forward-control vans with a front-hinged door through which the driver could step ahead of the axle. Control from the running boards was also possible. Read more on https://www.fleetowner.com/equipment/article/21698533/the-milk-truck-delivers-a-look-at-divcos-legacy
1930's Early three-wheeled delivery float from Cockfosters Depot (Courtesy Paul Luke)
1930's Early electric vehicle from Electricars Ltd. TH Lewis truck with Kenton Lane Depot livery. (Courtesy Paul Luke)
1930's? G.Y. Electric, early electric vehicle
1932 GV Electric van. (1960 Picture Set from Express News Christmas edition)
1933 With their low weight, a few Albions joined the fleet during the 1930s. This ‘LK’ 51 overtype, chassis no 17501D, fleet no 153, was registered on 1/3/33, as JJ 9762, with a ULW of 4.15.1.6. Its last overhaul, in August 1943, is recorded at a cost of £242, with the vehicle passing to T&F Motors in August, 1946, for £150. (Courtesy The Express Dairy Motorised Fleet, Allan Bedford, Heritage Machines)
1934 Early electric milk float from Metropolitan Vickers, with dry ice container behind driver.
1989 Ted Badcock of Richmond Depot retires after 50 years - from Express TOPS magazine (Courtesy Beryl Purslove)
1939 Hornby and Clarked deliveries by Ted Badcock of Richmond Depot retires after 50 years - from Express TOPS magazine (Courtesy Beryl Purslove)
Milk Transport through the years - Illustration from 'Milk for the millions'
1940's? TL 7978 Three wheeler. (Courtesy Richard Gaylard)
1940's? Orpington float, complete with family! (Courtesy Michael Aldread)
1950's London milk delivery (Courtesy ED Memories FB Group)
1950's London milk delivery (Courtesy ED Memories FB Group)
1950's Dave Fane comments ' This Commer PUC 198 was new in 1954 and sold or scrapped in 1962.' (Courtesy Michael Aldread)
1950's? Float Reg: LYP816 Fleet E430 (Courtesy Richard Gaylard)
1950's 'Cockfosters' 'Rider Pram' float Reg: RLW610 Fleet RP90 at the Wythall Transport museum (https://www.wythall.org.uk/). Paul Smith comments "Cockfosters depot was in a couple buildings at the back of the shop, I remember going in there a couple of times when my brothers round came was based." (Courtesy Michael Aldread)
1952 'The Express Dairy' Booklet
1950's ? Delivery van (Courtesy of Gerald Croxford FB)
1950's Early Electric Float from Highgate Depot
1950's Express Short WB NLL 903 Delivery Float
1950's Newington Green Delivery Float, outside Canonbury depot in Newington Green Road. Reg: HYH 980, Fleet No. E216. Dave Fane comments "Built by Brush electric vehicles". (Courtesy Michael Aldread)
1950's Highgate Delivery Float Reg: HYL 338, Fleet No: E215. Dave Fane comments "Built by Brush electric vehicles". (Courtesy Michael Aldread)
1951 "One-ton NCB electric dairy truck is operated by the Express Dairy Co. Ltd, photo by Smith's Electric Vehicles Ltd. (Courtesy Michael Aldread)
1956 'Panorama' TV programme featuring the decline of horses in London
1956 1933 G.V. Electric float: from album showing 30 years of progress in transport fleet. (Express News July)
1956 25 cwt Electruck Rider Pram: from album showing 30 years of progress in transport fleet. (Express News July)
1956 One-ton Morris Diesel delivery float: from album showing 30 years of progress in transport fleet. (Express News July)
1958, 104 Not Out-T. H. Lewis Limited have been in business for over a century - Page 5 (From Express News 1958-September)
1950's Henry Edwards, became part of Express Dairy (Courtesy Dave Fane)
1954 Another chassis purchased in September 1954, was this Commer 25cwt, chassis no 52A0952, engine no 3114. Fleet no 1692, PUC 198, was supplied through Rootes of St Johns Wood Road, with bodywork built by Strachans of Acton. Passing to Hamptons at Fenstanton in 1962, it made just £50. (Courtesy The Express Dairy Motorised Fleet, Allan Bedford, Heritage Machines)
1959 Express announced the purchase of 140 Wales & Edwards 'Rangemaster' floats. (Express News March)
1959 Express announced the purchase of 140 Wales & Edwards 'Rangemaster' floats. (Express News March)
1960's Nick Gurden comments "This is my Dad on the left when he was manager at Minsterley Creameries"
1960's Articulated Milk Float W&E 433 DYH Loadmaster. Dave Fane comments "Express had 3 of these Wales and Edwards floats, code WA"
1960's Articulated Milk Float W&E. Loadmaster. Paul Batchelor comments "They had one at Welling, it parked alongside of the servery."
1960's Lloyd Rich comments "Blackheath, Goffers Road - accident between an Express Dairies Electruk Rider milk float and a motorcycle in the early 1960's. The motorcycle rider about to be carried into the LCC Daimler DC27 ambulance. The milk float does not appear to be damaged and will return to its depot about a mile away in Wemyss Road, Blackheath." (Courtesy Lloyd Rich)
1960's Articulated Milk Float W&E 140 CYH Loadmaster
1960's Morris/ Austin van in Eden Vale old livery (Courtesy Dave Fane)
1960's Golden Seal Bedford van
1960's? Diesel powered W & W Float. Dave Fane comments "This is a Wales & Edwards float, but it is a diesel, note the tank and filler cap on the nearside.This one has a London fleet number, but Bradford depot had about 12 of these."
1960's Articulated milk float. Dave Fane comments that Express had 3 of these Wales & Edwards models, WA1, WA2 and WA3. (Courtesy Michael Aldread)
1960's Delivering in the snow, Reg: 901 FGJ. Dave Fane comments "This is AIW, which is a Wales and Edwards E intermediate. (Courtesy Michael Aldread)
1968 Marshall's Wholesale Delivery Truck in Regent's Street, London. Reg WMC 315G. Hilary Mccluskey comments "Marshall’s brings back memories. When we were running Bowyers Dairy, if I forgot to include, say a yogurt, on a delivery to one of our London Hospital customers; I would ‘phone Marshalls and they would pop it round by car for us! Thus saving my ‘bacon’. Companies would help each other out in the old days." (Courtesy Michael Aldread)
Blackheath 'Rider Pram' float, 22 Montpelier Vale. Reg: UYP389 Fleet RP903 (Courtesy Michael Aldread)
TH Lewis 'Rider Pram' float on display, Reg: PJJ393 Fleet RP203 (Courtesy Michael Aldread)
1960's Electric Truck used on site. (Courtesy Michael Aldread)
1962 Eden Vale sales van with products
1962 Wales and Edwards float being prepared for exhibition (Earls Court?). (Courtesy Express Dairy Memories FB Group)
1963 (14th April) Easter Parade, Battersea Park "London Milk Distribution Past and Present".(Courtesy Paul Smith)
1964 Reg Commer delivery van BLH 189B. Colin Huntington identifies as a Morris lD (Courtesy Michael Aldread)
1964 Highgate 'Rider Pram' float Reg: VGY 104. Pictured at Archway Road, London N6 (Courtesy Michael Aldread)
1964 Southwark? Peabody Estate. Three-wheeled float Reg: OGT 357. Dave Fane comments "This is a 3E which is W&E Standard." (Courtesy Michael Aldread)
Express Reg: UBY 769F, Fleet ME77. F36/40 Chassis, standard F/G Cab with sliding doors and special body.
Electruk 'Rider Pram' E15 with standard alloy dairy body and extra headboard
1965 Reg Commer Delivery Vehicle EYN 676C (Courtesy Michael Aldread)
1960 Reg Float with insulated compartments 196 ALE. John Carey comments "We had one in the early 1960s, at Hurlingham Depot, we used to put ice trays (Eutectic Plates) underneath the baskets to keep the products cool. The ice plate cabinets were in all the depots at the time; our refrigeration engineers looked after them, as well as the depot cold stores". Michael Aldread adds " ...filling the ice plate cabines... was one of my last jobs to do before I went home when I was yardman at Canonbury Depot". Paul Batchelor explained "They had two of these floats at North Peckham estate, off Southampton Way Peckham, served by Sydenham depot. I had to weld some security boxes on them for the roundsman collecting their money from the flats, and also had to cage in the float around the milk deck to prevent the milk and goods being stolen. Express pulled out of these estates due to the vandalism caused to the floats". (Courtesy Dave Fane)
1965 New colour scheme for the Express fleet
1967 Reg Andover Creameries Float SJD 517F, at South Ruislip Driver of the Year Competition. (Courtesy Dave Fane)
1967 Vehicle fleet when A1 Dairies joined Express
1967 A1 Dairies, with 60,000 customers in North London and Herfordshire, joins Express - Morrison Electric negotiates a ford near Welwyn Garden City.Robert Gayton comments "This photo looks suspiciously like the ford in Fulling Mill Lane, Welwyn and close-by to where I live, some 20 miles north of Whetstone. Did the A1 Dairy really have a round that came this far out? 40 miles there and back plus the round to do without the battery conking-out? I can't quite believe it. It must be a publicity picture." Robert posts a picture of how it is now: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10226057156907718&set=p.10226057156907718&type=3
1968 Welling Depot. Hilary Mccluskey (nee Bowyer) comments "Looks like the opening of Welling as it was, I think, the largest Retail Depot to be built." Chris Austen confirms this was 1968.
1969 Smith's 'Cabac' introduced. Robin Fraser Bell comments "Remember seeing my first one (H Reg) about 1970 at Welling Depot; a problem that soon showed up was the cabs would get so hot in summer with only one little sliding window. They then added vents in front, on the roof, that could be opened and closed from inside the cab, and a one-piece sliding window that could be opened. However, they started falling out when you bumped up a kerb! Later ones had a 'spud box' by the back wheel, Corona /crate rack by batteries but only on 24-cell versions. There was a bread tray/rack along the roof on earlier ones, but they had to cut them back as so many milkman, me included, bashed their heads on them!" (Express News Autumn)
1969 Smith's 'Cabac' introduced. Robin Fraser Bell comments "Remember seeing my first one (H Reg) about 1970 at Welling Depot; a problem that soon showed up was the cabs would get so hot in summer with only one little sliding window. They then added vents in front, on the roof, that could be opened and closed from inside the cab, and a one-piece sliding window that could be opened. However, they started falling out when you bumped up a kerb! Later ones had a 'spud box' by the back wheel, Corona /crate rack by batteries but only on 24-cell versions. There was a bread tray/rack along the roof on earlier ones, but they had to cut them back as so many milkman, me included, bashed their heads on them!" (Express News Autumn)
1970 Eden Vale depot locations
1970 George Pearson, Retail Transport Director, presents the advantages of battery electric vehicles, in the Bahamas. (Express News Autumn)
1970 New Smith's Cabac float at Uxbridge(Courtesy Doreen Williams)
1971 Reg HYP 675K Alan Perkins making snowy delivery
1971 Ace product salesman Hugh Heath with Cabac in Cumbernauld
1972 New blue colour scheme
1972 Cabac with trailer experiment. (Express News Spring)
1972 Retail Transport Director George Pearson with Stan Day of Kew branch at London Merit and Service Dinner.(Express News Summer)
1974 New 'Cabac Minor' electric vehicle launched
1974 New 'Cabac Minor' electric vehicle launched
1975 Part of Roger Kenney's collection of Express vehicle pictures
1978 Harold Burfield, retired driver from South Morden, used to load coke into one of these Sentinel Steam Wagons
1985 Express in Action Brochure
1999 Honiton garage owner Colin Podsialdo creates 100mph milk float! (Courtesy Michael Aldread)
2000's Parcel deliveries by milk float. Paul Simm comments "It was for the post (joint venture) but it didn't take off... When we got the QVC contract it was the final nail in the coffin; customers were paying to have stuff delivered but most of the time they were picking there parcels up at the Depot - who was up at 4am to get their parcels? The float ended up in the milk float graveyard" (Courtesy Dave Fane)
1978 Harold Burfield, retired driver from South Morden, used to load coke into one of these Sentinel Steam Wagons
