Bid to reunite veteran lorry with driver (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Bid to reunite veteran lorry with driver

1:33pm Friday 18th May 2012 in Looking Back

A LEYLAND Beaver lorry, which is almost eight decades old, will make a rare appearance at Chipping Steam Fair on May 26 and 27.

The vehicle, TJ 3664, was first registered in 1934 to Crown Wallcoverings, Hollins Paper Mills, Darwen.

Today, it is painted in the livery of WH Bowker and on display at the British Commercial Vehicle Museum, in Leyland.

Now appeals have been made to find anyone who remembers the lorry during its working years, or knows the young chap pictured above, we think in the 1950s.

Bowker Transport tracked down TJ 3664 in Dorset earlier this year, when its own historic Leyland Beaver was destroyed in a huge blaze at its warehouse on Lancashire Enterprise Business Park.

By coincidence, it was discovered to have been part of the Darwen paper mill’s old fleet, and Bowker were delighted to return it to its East Lancashire roots.

Paul Hunt, one of the organisers of the steam fair, said: “The museum and Bowker’s would like to hear from anyone that remembers this vehicle from 1934 until its sale to The Historic Commercial Vehicle Club in 1961 for £25.

“It is also possible that someone will know the young man pictured with the lorry and it would be fabulous to hear from them and put a name to the face.

“When it attends the Steam Fair, it would be a great opportunity to reunite the vehicle with its 1950s driver, or his relations.”

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