1917-1930 The Vintage Years

History came to Gillingham today with a host of vintage vehicles on display at the station. This 1926 Scammell S10 chain drive with dropside carrier is the oldest Scammell in existence. George Scammell was born in London and formed his first company on Fashion Street, London in the 1900s. The company was built up by selling and maintaining steam wagons and small trucks. In 1914 when WW1 began the potential for mechanical transport became all too clear. When George's nephew was injured in the war they joined forces and became George Scammell and Nephew and began the development of an articulated six wheeler truck which went into production in 1920. Finding themselves with 150 orders Fashion Street was unable to cope with production and a new factory was built on land at Tolpit Lane, Watford. When this new factory opened in 1922 the new name of Scammell Lorries Limited was adopted. Work began on the world's first frameless tanker hence the 1926 Scammell S10. This vehicle has been driven to the Great Dorset Steam Fair every year since 1970. The lorry originally pulled a milk tanker from Somerset to London in 12 hours and in the early days was used in the Scammell adverts........isn't history amazing!!!