IN THE BAG A Morris SII Gown Van

The story goes that it was last used as a milk float for a short time by a local farmer/dairyman, Henry Hanson. Although not really suited to the task since such tradesmen prefer a van with open sides to give quick access to the crates enabling those nimble enough to grasp three pint bottles in each hand! Or, at the very least a van with its rear doors removed. The Second World War broke out in September 1939; and soon the van was taken off the road, and put away in a barn – and never came out! Having worked for less than three years it would have been in good condition.

Years later, in the mid-1980s, Gerald (Gerry) Walker of Morecambe, came across it and could see that it was an extremely rare vehicle and had the potential to become part of his collection of old vehicles. Having bought it, he got permission from George Walling, a chicken farmer, to keep it in an open barn at his Hornby Farm, in Forton, near Garstang. Gerry enthusiastically began to take the van apart to do a ground up restoration, unfortunately he did not get very far, for some reason. Consequently, the van was neglected, although not stood outside, time and weather conditions caused rapid deterioration: resulting in the flimsy rear wooden body and hardboard panelling to rot and fall apart (the complete off side body side had fallen off). The van’s once glossy brown paintwork had faded to a very dull shade, but the yellow lettering acclaiming the milk was of the highest quality remained. Sadly, Gerry passed away in October 2015