Byng's Coaches.

Started with horse-drawn vehicles in the late 19th century, Byng's was a family-run firm initially tradiong as Bulls Head Safety Coaches. The family owned the Bulls Head public house, as well as several other properties in Belgrave St. near Portsmouth Guildhall. After World War II, the name was changed to E. byng and Sons. In 1960 the business was purchased by Lancashire Motor Traders (LMT), a dealership based in Oldham. Up to this time the fleet had been predominantly lightweight coaches including Commers and Bedfords. This policy continued for a few more years, but with the addition of a small number of AEC Reliances joining the fleet each year. By 1968, new vehicles were all heavyweights, mainly AECs, but including 1 Bristol RELH and 1 Bristol LH. The preferred body builder had also changed during the same time from Duple to Plaxton. I joined Byng's in August 1970 as Assistant to the General Manager. He was Ted Guess, who had come to Byng's from Southdown where he had been Private Hire Manager for Portsmouth depot. Byng's work was a mix of Day Excursions and Private Hire, including work from HM Dockyard. This included provision of coaches for visiting ships from foreign Navies taking sailors on shore leave to places like London and Stonehenge and Bath. Unlike most independent coach operators, Byng's did not operate any school contracts, as being based in a large city, most school transport was provided by the local Corporation bus services. In the 1970s the Day Excursion programme still provided work for several coaches per day from April till the end of September. I recall an occasion when a private hire was cancelled at the last minute, leaving a 45 seat coach spare for the day. I rang the Excursion Manager at about 10 o'clock in the morning  who put on an afternoon trip to Compton Acres leaving at 2.00p.m., and this left South Parade Pier, the starting point for Byng's excursions with almost a full load. That means 40 seats sold in about 4 hours. 
 LMT sold Byng's at the end of the 1971 season to Tatlock's of Radcliffe, Manchester, who replaced most of the fleet with a mixture of new and second-hand Bedfords, plus one AEC Reliance with a Harrington body, ex-Yelloways of Rochdale. All the acquiresd vehicles were painted in Tatlock's livery of white with black relief but lettered for Byng's. In addition to the acquisitions, a number of Tatlock's own fleet worked on loan to Byng's some semi-permanently and some for short periods.

At the end of the 1973 season, the business was sold by Tatlock's to Terry Parsons, a Portsmouth hotelier, who took over a few of the previous fleet, plus some new and second-hand coaches, again mainly Bedfords, but including 2 Volvo B58s, the first of this make for a Portsmouth operator.

Below the photos you will find fleetlists, which under LMT ownership show Don (marked D, and Southsea Royal Blus (marked S).

Pictures below l to r:

YRV 140, Bedford SB1-Duple Super Vega C41F seen with Wakes of Spakford is in the Byng's livery of the early 60s, except for the cream panel on the side, which was the same colour as the roof when with Byng's

Ivory Coaches,Tetbury BBU 380J, AEC Reliance 505-Plaxton C51F. Each summer during LMTs tenure, coaches from Ivory came down to Portsmouth for a week or two at a time to help out Byng's during the busy summer period

Terry Travel-Byngs ORV 74M, Bedford YRT-Plaxton C53F.  Terry Travel  was the operator who bought Byngs from Tatlocks of Radcliffe, and kept it for about 2 years, after which  the business was sold back to LMT. 

.

Below: OBK 602H was one of three 33 foot long AEC Reliances bought by Byng's in 1970. They were a cancelled export order. OBK 602/3H were 45 seaters, and FPX 702H was a 41 seater fitted with Chapman reclining seats and lettered for Byng's Chichester 'depot'. There was in fact simply an office in Chichester, both coaches (the other was FPX 701H-51 seat Reliance) being operated from the Portsmouth depot.

Although I have no records, it is known that the Byng family operated horse-drawn vehicles both for passengers and goods, including a service from The Dockyard Main Gate to Fratton Park on match days. The passenger vehicles were probably waggonettes seating up to 12, and quite likely operated excursions to places like Warsash, Bosham and Chichester. If you compare Byngs early operation with Elliott Brothers in Bournemouth (who later became the famous Royal Blue coaches), it is likely that they ran a similar operation.

E Byng & Sons                   
                   
Initially traded as Bulls Head Safety Coaches, legal address Belgrave St. Portsmouth    
              
Reg.No.    Chassis                        Body                                       Date Acq.  Date W/drawn    Disposal                    
                                                                                                                      
TP 2639    Thornycroft A1                  s/d open touring 20 str              /26       
TP 2992    De Dion Bouton JE2            s/d open touring 20 str              /26       
TP 4846    Studebaker                       s/d open touring 24 str              /27       
TP 7911    AEC Reliance 660              King & Taylor C32R                   /29       
TP 8200    AEC Reliance 660              s/d sun saloon 31 str               8/29    12/49    Coates, Portsmouth, (breaker)
RV 920     AEC Regal 662                   Harrington C32R                       /31    5/43      Ministry of Works ( and see below)
RV 3211    AEC Regal 662                   s/d sun saloon 32 str                /32       
RV 6717    Leyland Cub KP3                s/d all weather coach 26 str      /35                 prob WD 1260426 in war (and see below)
ABK 871    Leyland Cub SKPZ/2           Wadham  FC26F                     3/37                 prob WD 1260427 by 9/40 (and see below)
DY 7345    AEC Regal 662                   Vickers  FC33F                         /46       
RV 6717    Leyland Cub KP3                s/d all  weather coach 26 s      8/47    7/49      White Heather, Southsea

ABK 871    Leyland Cub SKPZ/2            Wadham  FC26F                    8/47    7/49      Empress, Stockbridge

DY 7345++  AEC Regal 662                   Viclkers FC32F                     5/46 

CRV 176    Commer Commando 17A    Strachans??  C29                    /46       
CRV 262    Commer Commando 17A    Strachans??  C29                    /46       
CRV 513    Commer Commando 17A    Strachans??  C29                    /46                Sun Tan Tours, Jersey
CRV 708    Commer Commando 17A    Strachans??  C29                    /46       
DTP 878    Bedford OB                        Duple  C29F ??                        /47 

RV 920     AEC Regal 662                   Harrington C32R                    3/48 *    2/52.    Pilcher, Chatham
DRV 140    Bedford OB                        Duple C29F ??                        /48                  Hurley, Stepney by /57
ETP 610    Austin CX/B        ??           ??   C31                                   /49       
ETP 810    Commer Avenger 23A        Harrington C32F                      /49       
FBK 185    Commer Avenger 23A        Harrington C32F                      /50       
GBK 942    Crossley SD42/9                Strachan C37C                        /51       
GTP 111    Austin K8CVC                    Kenex FC11C                        3/52       
GRV 410    Morris Commercial OP        ??   C31                                /52       
JBK 210     Vulcan 6PF                        ??   FC31                               /53       
KBK 447    Bedford SBO                     Duple C38F                             /54       ??        Alpha, Brighton
KTP 910    Commer TS3                    Duple Super Vega C39F           /55       
MRV 110   Bedford SBG                     Duple Super Vega C41F           /56       ??       
OBK 310    Bedford SB                       Duple Super Vega C41F          /57        ??       
HBK 670    Bedford SB                       Reading C35F                     12/57      7/60      Bryan, Didcot
PTP 510    Bedford SB3                     Duple Super Vega C41F           /58 

FRV 316    Commer Avenger             Harrington                                /59              Ex Unity, Portsmouth (Salmon) 
KFD 433    Commer Avenger I 23A     Harrington C33F                      8/59       
URV 210    Bedford SB1                    Duple Super Vega C41F              /60        
                   
NOTES:

++ DY 7345 New -/33 to Timpsons, originally Harrington C32R. Acquired by Byngs 5/46 from MoS, then rebodied Vickers FC32F

RV 720 returned from MoW 3/48.
URV 210 was the first Byng's coach in the new light bue/blue grey livery.
HBK 670 ex Don, Southsea, new /53.
KFD 433 ex Kendrick Transport, Dudley, new 2/50
                     
Fleet from acquisition by LMT.

B    5 BRV          Bedford SB5             Duple Bella Vega C41F              3/63             9/63    Pleasureways, Oldham
B    6 BRV          Bedford SB5             Duple Bella Vega C41F              3/63           10/64    Ivory, Tetbury
B    7 BRV          Bedford SB5             Duple Bella Vega C41F              3/63             9/63    Pleasureways, Oldham 
B    8 BRV          Bedford SB5             Duple Bella Vega C41F              3/63           10/64    Smiths, Cymmer
B    9 BRV          Bedford VAL 14        Plaxton Panorama C52F             6/63           11/63    Travis, Middleton
B    15 BRV        AEC Reliance 4MU3RA  Plaxton Panorama II C51F      3/63           10/66    Pilcher, Chatham
D    300 DBU      Bedford SB5             Plaxton Embassy II C41F          10/64                       Darch & Wilcox, Martock
D    600 DBU      Bedford SB5             Plaxton Embassy II C41F           4/63           10/64    Barfoot & Rowsell, (Princess), Soton
D    400 DBU      AEC Reliance 4MU3RA    Plaxton Panorama II C51F    1/64           10/64    Tappin, Wallingford
B    UAW 995      Thames 570E         Burlinghamm Gannet C41F        11/63           2/64      Pilcher, Chatham                       
                       
S    644 GBU        Bedford VAL14        Plaxton Panorama II C52F        1/64           10/64    Pleasureways, Oldham
S    645 GBU        Bedford SB13          Plaxton Embassy III C41F         1/64           10/64    Bluebird, Weymouth
S    646 GBU        Bedford SB13          Plaxton Embassy III C41F         1/64               ?    Tappin, Wallingford 
S    647 GBU        Bedford SB13          Plaxton Embassy III C41F         2/64               ?    Pleasureways, Oldham
B    648 GBU        Bedford SB13          Plaxton Embassy III C41F         4/64           10/64    Bluebird, Weymouth
B    649 GBU         AEC Reliance 2MU3RA   Plaxton Panorama C43F    3/64           12/69    ?
D    650 GBU        AEC Reliance 4MU3RA   Plaxton Panorama C51F     5/64           10/64    Tappin, Wallingford
D    651 GBU        Bedford SB13               Plaxton Embassy III C41F   2/64             4/67    Tappin, Wallingford
D    652 GBU        Bedford SB13               Plaxton Embassy III C41F     3/64             9/66    Tappin, Wallingford
D    653 GBU        Bedford SB13               Plaxton Embassy III C41F     4/64    9/66  Tappin, Wallingford

B    CBK 501C      Bedford VAL14                Plaxton Panorama C52F      2/65    9/65      Travis, Middleton
B    CBK 502C      Bedford SB13                  Plaxton Panorama C41F      6/65    9/66      Tappin, Wallingford
B    CBK 503C      Bedford SB13                  Plaxton Panorama C41F      6/65    9/66      Tappin, Wallingford
S    CBK 504C      Bedford SB13                  Plaxton Panorama C41F      5/65    11/65    Tappin, Wallingford
B    CBK 505C      Bedford SB5                    Duple Bella Vega C41F       6/65    12/66    Tappin, Wallingford
B    CBK 506C      Bedford SB13                  Plaxton Panorama C41F      4/65    11/68    Tappin, Wallingford
B    CBK 507C      AEC Reliance 2MU3RA     Plaxton Panorama II C45F    5/65    ?/65      Neale, Teddington
B    CBK 508C      Bedford SB5                   Duple Bella Vega C41F      3/65    by 6/68    Tappin, Wallingford
D    CBK 509C      Bedford SB13                 Plaxton Panorama C41F      6/65    11/68     Princess, Southampton
D    CBK 510C      AEC Reliance 4MU3RA    Plaxton Panorama C51F      6/65    1/69       Pilchers, Chatham
D    CBK 511C      AEC Reliance 2MU3RA    Plaxton Panorama II C45F   5/65    3/68       Neale, Teddington
D    CBK 512C      Bedford SB13                Plaxton Panorama C41F      5/65    3/68       Tappin, Wallingford
B    CBK 513C      AEC Reliance 4MU3RA    Plaxton Panorama C51F      2/65    3/65       Tappin, Wallingford
B    TBA 289        Bedford SB1                Plaxton C41F                     2/65    6/65         Essex Coachways
B    VBA 682        Bedford SB5                Plaxton C41F                     2/65    2/66 ??    Hogan, Thurles by 2/66
                       
B    GBU 950D    Bedford VAL14             Plaxton Panorama C52F     5/66    12/66    Gaith, Thornhill
B    FTP 514D     AEC Reliance 2MU3RA   Duple Commander II C45F  5/66    11/68    Reliant, Ibstock
B    FTP 515D     AEC Reliance 2MU3RA   Duple Commander II C45F  5/66    3/71      Harding, Birkenhead

B    GBK 992E     Bedford VAS5               Duple Vista 25 C29F 4/67 11/67 Ivory, Tetbury, returned to Byngs 4/68
B    GBK 993E     Bedford VAM14             Plaxton Panorama I C45F 2/67  1/69 Harding, Birkenhead
B    GBK 994E     Bedford VAM14             Plaxton Panorama I C45F 1/67 11/67 Neale, Teddington
B    GBK 995E     Bedford VAL14              Plaxton Panorama I C52F 3/67 11/70 Ivory, Tetbury, returned to Byngs 4/68
S    GBK 996E     Bedford VAL14              Plaxton Panorama I C52F 2/67 10/68 Ivory, Tetbury, later to Spratt, Wreningham
D    GRV 383E    Bedford VAM14             Plaxton Panorama I 45F  5/67 10/68 Tappin, Wallingford
D    GRV 384E    Bedford VAM14             Plaxton Panorama I C45F 5/67  5/68 Tappin, Wallingford
B    HBK 505E     Bedford VAM14             MCW Metropolitan C45F 6/67 10/70 Ivory, Tetbury
B    HBK 506E     Bristol RELH6L               Plaxton Panorama I C51F 6/67 10/70 Ivory, Western

 Notes:

GBK 992E Entered in Brighton Coach Rally April 67, David Whitehead driving   

B    GBK 992E    Bedford VAS5           Duple Vista 25 C29F          4/68              Bluebird, Weymouth
D    OBU 349F   AEC Reliance 6MU3R Plaxton Panorama I C51F   6/68 10/69
B    RBU 172F   AEC Reliance 6MU3R Plaxton Panorama I C51F    4/68 11/70    Bluebird, Weymouth
B    JRV 500F   AEC Reliance 6MU3R Duple Commander III C47F  4/68 11/70    Spiers, Henley
B    JRV 501F   AEC Reliance 6MU3R Duple Commander III C47F  5/68 11/70 
B    JRV 502F   Bristol LH6L              Plaxton Panorama I C41F    6/68  7/73     Ivory, Tetbury
B    JRV 503F   AEC Reliance 6MU3R Plaxton Panorama I C51F   6/68   8/71     Tatlock/Byngs.
B    JRV 504F   AEC Reliance 6MU3R Plaxton Panorama I C51F    6/68   /71      Middleton, Rugeley

Notes:

 OBU 349F named Don Jose 
 RBU 172F repainted white/lilac (new Don livery) by 1/69, after accident
      
B    LRV 901G AEC Reliance 6MU3R   Plaxton Panorama Elite C51F 4/69   /72  Middleton, Rugeley
B    LRV 902G AEC Reliance 6MU3R   Plaxton Panorama Elite C51F 4/69 12/71 Jones, Llanfaeddu
D    LRV 904G AEC Reliance 6MU3R   Plaxton Panorama Elite C51F 1/69  2/72 Ivory, Tetbury
D    LRV 905G AEC Reliance 6MU3R   Plaxton Panorama Elite C51F 1/69 11/70 Ivins, Gt Kingshill

 Notes:

LRV 904/5G were the last coaches delivered for the Don fleet, in lilac/white as RBU 172F    
 904 repainted into white with 2 blue stripes for 1971 summer after Don Coaches was wound up.

B    FPX701H  AEC Reliance 6U3ZR      Plaxton  Panorama Elite C51F   3/70 3/72 Chiltern Queens
B    FPX702H  AEC Reliance 6MU4RE    Plaxton  Panorama Elite C41F   5/70  Ivory, Tetbury
B    OBK601H  AEC Reliance 6MU3R      Plaxton  Panorama Elite C51F   
B    OBK602H  AEC Reliance 6MU4RE    Plaxton  Panorama Elite C45F   5/70 3/1972 Chiltern Queens
B    OBK603H  AEC Reliance 6MU4RE    Plaxton  Panorama Elite C45F   5/70 5/1972 Ivory, Tetbury

 Notes:

FPX 701/2 H were lettered for Byng's Coaches, Chichester   
FPX 702H. Seating reduced to C32F during 1970/1 football season for use as Portsmouth FC team coach.
      
B    RRV 604J   AEC Reliance 6U3ZR   Plaxton Elite II C51F   4/71   by 4/74 Mostonian, Manchester
B    STP 401J   AEC Reliance 6U3ZR   Plaxton Elite II C51F   7/71   by 4/74 
B    STP 402J   AEC Reliance 6U3ZR   Plaxton Elite II C51F   7/71   by 4/74