Ernest Batley Ltd

Some lovely detail here, so in XL glory, from Dean Nelson on FB again. Never seen this one before either. Love the Geisha and the ROVER logo. Apols, looks like Heathite found this one some time ago earlier in this thread but worth a repost with the size and clarity. Post copied from topic Hertford Street on 11th Mar 2022 6:26 pm

There seems to be a fleet of the same lorries, all with a specific number on the l/h side of the windscreen. Presumably that is the topic of the photograph and not the Hertford Street background. They do not have military number plates, so I wonder what the cargo was and where they were heading. Obviously, with double rear wheels, they could carry a heavy load.

The name Ernest Batley Ltd seems to have been painted out. Early refuse collection or road repair vehicles?

Ernest Batley seems very proud of his fleet of lorries for delivering his concrete garages. I remember the name Batley Garages being quite common. An interesting article here in 1955, when the company stopped using public transport. About what date would the Hertford Street picture be, going by the cars?

Possibly taking part in a 'Lorry Driver of The Year' competition

Batley's were somewhere around Holbrooks by the Dunlop. The pic is dated 1953 so guessing they might be to do with the clearance work.

They'd hardly "parade" in line with temporary numbers on the windscreens and that many vehicles if they were working - more likely in competition, or maybe exhibition.

The transport side of Ernest Batley Ltd was eventually taken over by Brady Transport Ltd who continued to use the same premises in College Rd as a transport yard and as the base for an expanding number of hire vans and cars. Mr Brandrick was still in charge well into the 70's and possibly much longer. The signwriting on these trucks may just be indistinct on a black and white photograph, perhaps red letters on a blue vehicle or similar.

Hi all, They eventually moved to new premises in Banbury Road, many of their lorries sold off to other hauliers, whilst retaining what they needed to continue their concrete garage & fencing business. The continuing business.

Batley Garages float in Coventry Carnival Parade. Taken along Kenilworth Road near Beechwood Avenue c.1966.

On the side it says "Fireproof Garage". Thinking back, I am sure our first garage, probably built in the 50's, was a Batley and I am sure it was asbestos!

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