Walter Edmundson Ford Thames Trader six wheeler.

This Ford Thames Trader six wheeler Reg No 292 XTJ, operated by Walter Edmundson of Preston, is seen here on Lodge Street in Preston as the driver takes time out for a photograph.

Note the orange Bedford J Series delivering Coca Cola.

Since this photograph was taken in 1961 the whole area has been totally redeveloped into an industrial area and is unrecognisable.

The building at the bottom of the street on the right with the green doors was the original premises of Chris Miller Ltd.

A brief history of Walter Edmundson

Walter Edmundson started trading in Preston as a timber merchant during the 1920's.

His first venture into Road Haulage was with the acquisition of Mitchell Bros of Darwen, but this was short-lived, due to the Nationalisation of Road Haulage in 1948.

In 1955, with John Edmundson now having joined his father in the business, they re-entered the road haulage industry in a very small way and purchased an operating base in Preston.

Preston Dock was at its peak of success at this period in time and Walter Edmundson Limited became Preston agents for Companies servicing Northern and Southern Ireland with the handling of ships from Larne, Belfast, Dublin & Waterford.

Edmundson's represented in Preston companies such as Northern Ireland Eggs Ltd., Ulster Ferry Transport Ltd and Jenkinson & Archer Ltd.,(J.&A. Line of Dublin) who later became part of the George Bell (Bell-Line) empire.

Preston dock, at this time was said to be busier than both Liverpool & Manchester ports.

By the mid 1960's there came a call for bigger and faster vessels to serve Ireland, and preferably from non-tidal ports and as a result Preston lost out to Liverpool & Fleetwood, and the ever increasing popularity of the Scottish ports at the top end of the M6.

During the late 1960's the Isle of man became embraced in this new method of handling cargo so Ronagency (Shipping) Ltd., Walter Edmundson Ltd and a few small private investors formed Manx Line, and purchased M.V Monte Castillo from Navier Aznar of Spain.

She was refitted in Leith emerging as the Manx Viking and this seaborne operation became embroiled in the massive organisation that was known as Sealink.

Sealink eventually acquired Manx Line, itself becoming a part of Sea Containers empire shortly afterwards.

Sealink was later privatised, and merged with Isle of Man Steam Packet Co. Ltd.

Still very much in business today Edmundson Haulage are owned by Manx Independent Carriers of Isle of Man and are now based at 8 Prospect Place, Prescot Road, East Pimbo Estate, Skelmersdale.

Operating a large fleet of vehicles more details can be found on the Edmundson Ronagency website

Taken in: United Kingdom / England / Preston (show map)

Taken on: January 1, 1961

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