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Interest Group ► AN
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY OF COMFY COACHES |
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A history of E R Gudge Comfy
Coaches Ltd By Phil Sawkins Mr
E R Gudge of Lower Bourne near Farnham in Surrey commenced trading at 44 Frensham Road Lower Bourne on 3rd January
1921. The premises became known as Crossroads Garage, and a building was
constructed for car, cycle and motor cycle repairs. In addition the company
owned two cars which were used for private hire. Unfortunately on the 3rd
of January 1923, one of the hire cars caught fire, resulting in the
destruction of the garage, all stock, tools and customers cycles. The
business continued under temporary cover, and sometimes using the customers’
own garage space.
The decision was taken to
completely clear the site and to construct a new larger workshop.
The village of
Lower Bourne at that time only had about 20 car owners, some of whom dealt with
other garages located in Farnham. In 1925 it is known that E R Gudge was
selling cars and cycles and providing cars for private hire, but not involved
with coach hire. As a natural extension to the car hire side of the business,
the decision was made to operate vehicles for passenger transport. In 1926
the first coach was purchased, a second-hand 14 seat Chevrolet Reg. No. PK
3257.
The Farnham Herald
archives stored on microfiche at Farnham Museum have been painstakingly gone
through for the years 1924, 1925, 1926 and 1927. On 31st January
1925 E R Gudge advertised Car Hire, car and motorcycle sales and repair, and
general accessory sales. No entry was made during 1926 and it is thought
local trips were undertaken which were not generally advertised.
The
locations for the first trips are not documented, but it is thought that this
early photograph was taken near Hindhead in Surrey. Due to the high vantage
point, this area was and still is a popular stopping off point on the A3
London to Portsmouth road. On the 7th May 1927 this
advert appeared and was continued on a weekly basis until the middle of
October.
Around this time, to give you some
idea of prices, 10 cigarettes were 5½d (2p), beer 7d (3p) a pint and
Aldershot and District Traction Co charged 5s (25p) for a day trip from
Aldershot to Hampton Court! A Chevrolet lorry cost around £230, to which was
added another £30 if it was delivered with a canvas tilt. A Chevrolet car was
£250, with a Fiat 18 hp priced at £315 and a Fiat 7 HP Torpedo at £250. In July 1929 and April 1930 a further
two 14 seat vehicles were purchased, these being a Chevrolet LQ (YC 7055)
purchased as new with a Wilmot Breden body, and a Chevrolet U (GF 4815) which
was second-hand from Deptford, London. Mr Tom Wilmore was the first driver
employed by E R Gudge for driving the hire cars, and then coach work as the
fleet increased. He lived opposite Crossroads Garage in Lower Bourne, and was
still with the company in the early 1950s. From 1933 to 1939, the company increased the fleet by a further five
vehicles, these being two 20 seat Commer Centaurs (APF 296 and BPF 343), and
a 26 seat Bedford WTB (EPA 757), fitted with bodies from E D Abbott of
Farnham. A 14 seat
Chevrolet (OY 3654), and a 26 seat Bedford WTB (HPL 311) fitted with a Duple
Hendonion body, completed the fleet requirements prior to the outbreak of
war.
The vehicle
shown is APF 296 or BPF 343, identified as either by the distinctive Abbott
body. The date or the occasion (which is most certainly women and children
only) is unknown but is circa 1935. The location of Portsmouth is clearly
identified on the building in the background. Several photographs of the
early vehicles are shown at this location, which proves the popularity of the
Portsmouth excursions, and this ideal position to photograph the event. Mr E
R Gudge was the driver on this occasion shown in the white cap; drivers were
now wearing caps and dust coats. During this
period the company had quickly become established as a reliable company
undertaking Daily Excursions, and as a Private Hire Specialist. The policy
was to provide comfortable clean and reliable travel, hence the eventual name
taken by the company of Comfy Coaches. The declaration
of war in 1939 virtually shut down coach operations, and parts of Crossroads
Garage were requisitioned as an Auxiliary Fire Service Station which was
manned full time. During 1940 a contract for the conveyance of workmen and
E.N.S.A artists kept the coach business viable until the end of the war. The
close proximity of Aldershot Garrison helped to provide this much needed
business. In June 1940 a
26 seat Bedford WTB (EUR 364) was purchased and in February 1941 a 20 seat
Bedford WTB (WG 4432) both with Duple bodies. WG 4432 was first registered at
Falkirk in 1936, and EUR 364 at St Albans in 1939, these vehicles being
purchased second hand. Previously, both had been operated by the WD and
arrived in camouflage. EUR 364 has been
traced working in the Windlesham area to around February 1955, from where it
was exported in June 1957. WG 4432 was sold to A Weller, a local company, and
from there to an unidentified owner in Suffolk when it was eventually sent
for scrap in December 1963.
In 1943 a 26
seat Dodge SBF (DAO 179) was added to the fleet, this vehicle also being
purchased second hand. With the exception of PK 3572, all these vehicles were
with the company at the cessation of hostilities. The company was
now allowed to recommence work, although this was restricted to a 35-mile
radius which made Southsea a popular destination. These excursions were
heavily oversubscribed with passengers from the surrounding area, people who
were determined to return to their normal ways of recreation. EPA 757 was
used during VE parade celebrations in Lower Bourne and Farnham. In March and August 1947 the first two
Bedford OBs came into service; both 29 seat, LPB 250 and LPG 109 were Duple
bodied. July 1948 saw the acquisition of a 32 seat Tilling Stevens K6-17 (MPF
536), with Chevrolets YC7055 and GF 4815 being withdrawn and sold. 1949 saw three
additions to the fleet; two Bedford OBs (NPA 73 and NPG 655), both with 29
seat Duple bodies, and a Maudsley M3 with a 33 seat Duple body (NPC 777). When new,
several publicity photographs were taken on Frensham Common.
The decade
commencing 1950 is considered by most to be the golden period of coach
travel. The country was returning to normal, rationing was reduced, and
people wanted to be entertained. In January 1950,
two Commer Avenger 33 seat coaches were purchased with all-weather bodies,
these being HOR 874, and HOR 875. Mr John Campbell, who was a driver in the
mid-fifties, tells us that the braking system on the Commer was a little
temperamental; one of the Commers being driven into what was known
as the top garage refused to stop and ended up knocking out part of the end
wall!
These were
followed in March by a 29 seat Bedford OB (OPA 798), and in May with another
OB (HOU 377), both with Duple bodies. This was a substantial investment for
the company, and reiterated its intention to give the passengers reliability
and comfort. No additions were made during 1951, but this year saw the
disposal of the first Commer APF 296, and the only Dodge ever operated by the
company, DAO 179.
There were 2
additions to the fleet in 1952; firstly a Bedford SB (RPE 250) sporting a
37-seat Gurney Nutting body. This was a departure from the Bedford/Duple
combination previously preferred by the company. Gurney Nutting were better
known for producing luxury and sport car bodies, this produced a vehicle that
proved to be a classic design for the period.
Secondly, a 33 seat Bedford SB (KCG 252) with
Duple bodywork was also acquired. This vehicle
was last traced working in Solihull in 1972, ten years after being sold by
the company. Disposals in 1952 were Commer BPF 343, Bedford LPG 109 and
Tilling Stevens MPF 536.
During May 1953
the first Bedford with a Plaxton body was purchased, a 36 seat SBO, (SPH
999). This was the first vehicle to have 999 within the registration, which
was to eventually become the preferred and distinctive form of registration
plate used by the company. The Maudsley NPC 777 was sold, and stayed in the
local area operated by three other companies up until 1969.
Also in 1953 the
company opened a booking office in Castle Street Farnham, which offered over
one hundred licensed destinations. The popular day excursions to the South
Coast continued, with trips to Clacton on Sea, Widecombe, and Bekonscot Model
Village being a few of the popular excursions on offer. The company now
operated three-day excursions to Blackpool, North and South Devon, and other
special excursions were on offer. The private hire business proved so
popular, that on Saturdays during the summer months the assistance of other
operators was required. Occasionally, assistance was required on a Sunday,
with owned company vehicles being solely responsible for excursion and tour
business during these busy periods. For the long
distance work an extra fuel tank was added, and the seating capacity reduced
for passenger comfort. Manning levels on the vehicles were also varied to
accommodate some locations. For long distance day tours, generally those of
over 300 miles plus a day (popularly known as Picnic Tours) allowance was
made for two drivers to be available for one coach or three drivers to two vehicles,
dependant on passenger numbers. Contracts with
the Education Authority and school trips were awarded to the company, and
many people in the local area have fond memories of travelling on a Comfy
Coach. A further
Bedford SBO with a 36 seat Plaxton body was added in April 1954, with another
distinctive plate UPH 999. Bedford EUR 364 was sold to a company in
Windlesham and was exported in 1957. A second hand
Bedford OB (JHO 213) with a 29 seat Duple body was purchased in March 1955.
Special tours were also being undertaken, such as two week tours of Scotland
with Farnham Town junior choir. June 1956 saw
the addition of two 41 seat Bedford SBGs (999 APJ) with a Plaxton body, and
999 BPB, a Burlingham.
1956 was also
the first year the company participated in the British Coach Rally at
Brighton, the inaugural rally having taken place in 1955 at Clacton. The
rally was held over two days, normally in April or May. On this occasion UPH
999 was entered on the 21st and 22nd April with driver
Ron Bell. The first day consisted of the driving section, where the vehicle
was timed on route, which that year commenced at the Marquis of Granby in
Esher, through controlled check points to Madeira Drive in Brighton. Five
driving skills tests were completed on arrival at Brighton, with a further
three skills tests and the Concours d’Elegance, the judging of the vehicle,
taking place on the Sunday. From the fifty four entrants that year, we are
unsure of the overall position that was achieved. However, 10th position on
the Concours d'Elegance was a creditable position for the first attempt. Three Bedfords,
HPL 311, WG 4432 and LPB 250 were taken out of service that year.
No additions to the fleet were made in
1957. RPE 250 was entered into the British Coach Rally in Brighton, the
driver again being Ron Bell. Although the vehicle was five years old, being
first registered in April 1952, it was thought the overall style and comfort
of the vehicle gave it a credible chance of success. As was usual, a lot of
preparation work was carried out to present the vehicle looking its best.
From a total of forty three entrants, the vehicle was placed eighteenth
overall.
In June 1958 a
29 seat Bedford D4LZ2 (999 FPG) with Plaxton body was purchased, this vehicle
being the most successful entry into the British Coach Rally made by the
company. Driver R Bell achieved First in the Road Section and Driving tests,
and Second in the Concours d'Elegance.
In April 1959, a
Bedford SB3 (999 JPF) with a 41 seat Plaxton body was purchased, and the
Bedford SB RPE 250 was sold to Amport and District Bus Services at Thruxton. Two entries into
the British Coach Rally at Brighton meant another successful year for the
company. 999 JPF with Driver R Bell achieved first class in the Road Section
and driving tests, with Mr R Smith entering for the first time in 999 FPG for
which he received Coach Driver of the year for 1959.
May 1960 saw the
addition of two Bedfords with Plaxton bodies, these being 999 OPB, a 41 seat
SB3, and 999 PPG, a 29 seat J4LZ3. A further Bedford J4LZ3 (999 PPL) was
added in June, which was also a 29 seat Plaxton body. Disposals that
year included, NPG 655, HOU 377, JHO 213, and OPA 798. Following the
success of the previous year, it was decided to enter three competitors into
the British Coach Rally. These were, 999 OPB driven by Ron Bell, 999 FPG with
Ron Smith, and Bert Sawkins in 999 JPF. On the Saturday Ron Smith and Bert
Sawkins were runners up in class one and two of the Road and Driving Test sections
respectively. On the Sunday Ron Bell was runner up on the Concours D’Elegance
in the class A Category.
1961 was the
last year the company purchased a vehicle; this was a Bedford SB3 with a 41
seat Plaxton body (999 VPA). No vehicles were disposed of, and this
unfortunately proved to be the penultimate year for the Coach Hire side of
the company. Despite this the company had two entrants in the BCR, these
being 999 PPL driven by Ron Smith, and 999 OPB driven by Bert Sawkins.
Both drivers again achieved some success
in the Road and Driving test sections of the event, with Ron Smith being
runner up in the under 26ft class and Bert Sawkins runner up in the over 26ft
class. We recently discovered a cine film taken at this event which has been
transferred to DVD format. Currently, we are in discussion with Brighton
University who are interested in storing the footage in their film archive
section, which contains extensive information of cine film taken throughout
the South East.
This concluded the
company’s participation in the event, and the success they achieved through
the years reflected the high standard set by the company and drivers during
the day to day operation of the company. On the
retirement of the founder Mr Ernie Gudge in 1962, his son Mr Norman Gudge
considered the option of retaining the two businesses (Comfy Coaches Ltd and
the service garage of E R Gudge), by employing a manager for one of the two
and retaining full control. Both businesses were enjoying good support from
the public, but due to the affordability of the motor car, it was perceived
that more growth could be achieved by retaining the service garage. Comfy
Coaches Ltd ceased trading in April 1962.
The route licences
were sold to Aldershot and District Traction Company, and the vehicles sold
to several private companies. The vacated garage space was used for the
expansion of car servicing and repair, which proved to be a successful Morris, Riley and MG dealership. This further showed
the strength and determination of the company to offer good service to the
public, and why the travelling public from 1926 until April 1962 were able to say “That
was a Comfy Coach”. In April 1962 Taylor’s of Sutton
Scotney purchased 999 PPL, the 29 seat Bedford J4ZL with a Plaxton Body,
which they operated to around 1993 in the latter years as Nostalgic Tours.
During 1994 Mr Norman Gudge was
looking for a former Comfy Coach, with the view to restoration. Contact was
made with Taylor's who sold the coach back to Norman Gudge in April 1994 some 32 years after the
original sale on the demise of Comfy Coaches.
As is always the
case, appropriate storage facilities proved to be a problem and after a
couple of moves the vehicle ended up residing in the corner of a farmyard. A
significant amount of mechanical renovation was undertaken at this time, but
the body remained untouched.
During early
2004 Mr Roy Gudge, the founder’s grandson, contacted Mr Phil Harris and
myself regarding recommencement of the restoration of 999 PPL. Phil Harris
has an interest in all types of transport vintage and otherwise, and my
connection being that my father was a driver for Comfy Coaches from April
1947 until closure of the company in April 1962. Prior to our involvement,
the coach was given to Mr Ken Hatcher, who was an apprentice mechanic with
the company in the early sixties, and who as a hobby, has carried out several
vehicle restorations over a number of years. Several meetings
took place during 2004 at which the first thing discussed was the problem of
suitable storage. Several options were looked at for the provision of covered
storage to enable the restoration of the vehicle. The opportunity
came along when accommodation became available in a modern farm building that
was being used to house several vehicles, some of which were under
restoration. A section of this covered area has now been leased from ADORR, a
group of enthusiasts that own and restore vehicles once operated by The Aldershot
and District Traction Company. They also have links with the Aldershot and
District Bus Interest Group. A new battery
was fitted, and the fuel line cleaned through. After a few attempts, and some
cleaning of the distributor cap, the engine proved to be a good runner.
The vehicle was
driven out of the field and down a drive to the waiting recovery vehicle. Not
wanting to stop a good thing, the vehicle was driven straight onto the lorry
bed, with little or no hesitation. The journey to the new location took the
vehicle through Lower Bourne past her original home, Crossroads Garage, her first
visit for 43 years.
The group
involved in the restoration of 999 PPL, namely Roy Gudge, Ken Hatcher, Phil
Harris and Phil Sawkins, are also undertaking the social history of the
company. To that end we have formed Comfy Coaches Interest Group to collate
information and collect memorabilia of the company. Several other enthusiasts
have now joined the group and it has been formally set up. However, the
project has a long way to go, and I would like to hear from anyone who has
information or access to photographs regarding the company. APTS have been
very helpful in this aspect of the research, and we would like to thank Bob
Jenner Hobbs for his help and consideration given to the research, and
recommend his website www.na3t.org to all transport enthusiasts. We would also be
interested to hear from anyone who has information on restoration of the
vehicle; any tips on do’s and don’ts would be gratefully received, as would
the location of possible spares for purchase. The interior will prove to be a
challenge, and information on the availability of seat and floor coverings
would be much appreciated. For those who
would like to contribute information, or join the interest group please
contact Phil Sawkins on 01483 568471, or mobile 07801 448176 by email I can
be contacted at philsawkins983@btinternet.com. |
► AN ILLUSTRATED HISTORY
OF COMFY COACHES
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