HAVE you ever worked at Gregory Distribution? Do you have relatives or acquaintances who have worked at Devon’s oldest existing road transport business?

As Gregory Distribution Limited (GDL) approaches its centenary in 2019, the company is calling on all past and present employees to see if they have any old photographs taken at any of its depots in the South West especially ones featuring vehicles.

The call comes as GDL is planning to open a Heritage Vehicle Museum to mark the centenary with the centrepiece being a restored Model T Truck of the same vintage as the one Archibald Gregory used when he established the business just after World War One.

Paul Willis, GDL’s Head of Fleet Compliance and Vehicle Procurement who is leading the project said: “As well as the Model T Truck we will be displaying a Bedford "O" Series which was the first lorry that Jack Gregory purchased in the 1950’s, a Rowe Hillmaster currently being restored which was built in Dobwalls, Cornwall in 1958.

“We will also have a Mercedes SK 1628 tractor unit from the 1980’s which was our current owner John Gregory’s first truck. We would also like to exhibit more Gregory heritage items and old photos featuring vehicles and characters who worked for the business which would be a fantastic addition to the vehicles.

“We are asking people to lend us any photographs or any other memorabilia they might have and we will copy them and return them. Anyone who helps us in this way will be invited along to the opening of the Heritage Vehicle Museum in 2019.”

Archibald John Gregory worked on a farm near North Tawton before acquiring a horse and cart to haul coal from the station to the local wool factory and wool back to the station. He managed one ton per load making six runs each day and soon needed to hire help to increase his capacity.

It was in 1919 that "Archie" bought a World War One surplus Model T Ford, the first motorised vehicle in the near 100 years of the family business.

It had a 2.9 litre, four-cylinder engine with a two speed gearbox and was capable of 40mph – but not uphill! The business operated from a small garage in Barton Street, North Tawton.

Currently GDL operates from 22 sites from Scotland to West Cornwall and has 650 trucks, has 1,900 employees and an annual group turnover of £170 million.

Copies of photos or originals can be sent to Carol Hancock at Gregory Distribution Limited, North Park, North Tawton, EX20 2EB or digital versions by email to: [email protected] .

Alan Quick