Waring' s Smart Mobilization.
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In Under 20 Hours, the Fleet of Lorries was Recalled from all over the Country and Despatched Fully Equipped.
This is no time for apologies, and we certainly feel we need make none in offering to our readers. a description of a piece of organization in connection with the mobilization of mechanical transport which should certainly be set down, as an example, to the industry at large, of careful preparation and of patriotic forethought. Last week we were fortunately able to do credit to the motor transport 'department of Waring and Gillow, Ltd., by the publication of a photograph of a detachment of Waring's drivel's pa:.aded in their Class C Reserve uniform. To-day as we write (Wedmesday, the 5th inst.), we have seen the whole of
Waring's columei of aviation-type Leyland lorries withdrawn by wire at a few hours notice from all over the country, from the Midlands and from the South Coast, assembled at the back of the Oxford Street premises, and finally dispatched in the early evening, for a concentration depot in the West.
It may be recalled that eight of these machines are of what is known as the aviation-type Leyland chassis. The serviceable three-ton standard model from the famous works in Lancashire is a design, however, which does not conform to Fhe actual subsidy requirements in generalt Nevertheless, the military authorities admitte.d this particular column of machines full subsidy when it was purchased by this ',yellknown West-End furnishing house in the spring of 101'3.
Most of the fleet, when the mobilization orders arrived, somewhere about midnight on the 4th August, were away on their customary long-journey trips delivering Waring furniture at country houses in various parts of the Provinces, and not the least of the feathers in the cap of Mr. T. E. Harrison. the ,liperiotendent of that department, must be awarded for the ability with which he was able to recall them all by wire shortly after the receipt of the Government requisition.
Jti,t before the eight aviation models left for their night run to the West of England, van No. 3:3 arrived, having made a run of 102 irides non-stop fro:n Worthing in order to be in time to leave with the ther machines. Four of the vehicles were. at the • .hue of the receipt of orders, fitted with paraffin cat'hurcittis. Mechanics were at once set to work tn dismantle these, and to restore the petrol littiugs. Tha i*.etrie light installations were removed C 1,1( sr Oil side lights were fitted.
Mr. Harrison's organization had, of cotftse, provided for the proper collection of spare parts, tools and equipment for each machine. for they hay al! It ii kept in specially-fitted cabinets in the motor dewent offices in the Oxford-Street premises. batch of supplies in its properly-labelled coup
meat, so that it was a matter of only a few momenta to transfer them bodily to their a!lotted machines. It is doubtful if there have been any vans in this country more thoroughly equipped for the purpose than are these machines of Waring and Gilluw, Ltd. Canvas water buckets, fire extinguishers, first-aid boxes, tool kits, jacks, etc.. all l'Ive their proper places on the front by each driver's seat. Each ma.chine carries in the regulation holders six extra cans of petrol.
Each vehicle in the fleet, of course, bears the Meelta.ncal Transport Subsidy baogz, and, in addition, that. of the Commercial Motor Users Association, el which Waring's are old members, Mr, T. E. HarriRell being on the Committee. The drivers paraded in full uniform, with haversacks and water bottles, and Mr. S. E. Waring made a short speech to them before they left. He said :
"Drivers of the Special Reserve,—On behalf of the directors of Messrs. Waring and Gillow, I take this opportunity of wishing you God-speed to the scene of military, operations, and to express the fervent hope that you will return to us in good healtlt and with an honourable. record.
This is an historic occasion. We .are faced with political difficulties of the gravest kind, and the rapid movements of troops will bring into operation some wonderful feats by the mechanical transport, and probably alter the. entire methods of modern warfare.
" I feel I cannot do better than remind you of Nelson's immortal signal given to the Fleet before the commencement of the. battle of Trafalgar, when similar grave issues were at stake : 'England expects this day that every man will do his duty.' " (Prolonged cheering.) The column le It Titehlield Street just before eight o'clock amid a scene of great enthusiasm on the part of ninny of Waring's huge staff and an interested crowd of the public, each man bearing with him a parting gift from Mr. Waring of a new pipe and a good simply of tobacco. The fleet:. left Oxford Street for the garage at
Hammersmith to take in supplies. At 11 o'clock tliat.night, under the,eontrol of Mr. T. E. Harrison, the vehicles made a. departure for the West, the column entering the depot there at 7 o'clock next morning. They were amongst the earliest arrivals. The men at ance proceeded to register their machines, draw uniforms and rations. The fleet, by reason. of its complete state and military appearance, evoked general interest, and Mr. Harrison deservedly received many expressions of approval from the Army oiiicers who tv:-!re present.