Was used to transport officers from the Torrey Cannon tanker disaster off the Cornish coast in 1967. Then used by the Staffordshire County Council until the present owner's father purchased it. LR Diesel engine (not original)
Sharon Roberts writes (06/03):
"Currently awaiting restoration, though it was on the road until 10/02. It is not in bad condition but due to the sentimental personal history I would like it restored to concourse standards.
My Land-Rover was based at Swan Hill (Worcester) and Shrewsbury/Wellington (Shropshire) along with 1 Green Goddess and a 350 rigid frame BSA motorbike. Used on Exercise Foremost, the last major exercise with AFS & County Fire Services (Fire Column 9), Morton-in-Marsh 1967.
It was used as officer transport at Perranporth, Cornwall when the Torrey Canyon sank. One point I may add here — one of the doors under the many coats of paint has a crest.
When it was released from Civil Defence service it was bought by Staffordshire County Council Bridges Dept and then by Hinstock garage. In the 1970s it was purchased by my Dad for £400.
I purchased back the vehicle last August (2002) after trying to trace it for my father who reluctantly sold it due to ill health in 1992/93. Unfortunately I didn't trace it in time for my father, as he passed away in 2001. Anyway now I've got her back I'm saving hard to have her restored to very good condition, though when she's restored I will probably use her on a daily basis (well... in the summer anyway!).
I've found out the early history of the vehicle with the help of the last owner (Mr Henshaw) who very upset to sell last year, but was very pleased it was going back to the daughter of Glynne Roberts. My father was a very notorious Land-Rover repairer... well, anything with an engine. He had a wide customer base when it came to all Land-Rovers, forward controls and the old lorries, tractors etc... (Fred Dibnah-type, my father was) and he used his vehicle for work and rescue in the winter months.
I hope to have the restoration done by next year. I don't think I would ever part with it, but I have to try not to be sentimental and let the restoration costs outweigh the worth."