A very smart Chatham & District bus seen on Watling Street, near the top of Barnsole Road, Gillingham. It is probably one of the five 1942 utility Bristol K5Gs, seen shortly after being rebodied by Weymann in 1951. They were all absorbed into the M&D fleet in 1955. Photo by Eddy Gutteridge.

1951 AEC Beadle rebuild CO205 (NKT 933) incorporated parts of 1935 AEC Regent DH308 (CKE 442). Renumbered SO74 in 1954, it was sold in 1959. Photo by Eddy Gutteridge.

1951 AEC Beadle rebuild CO206 (NKT 934) at Hastings. It incorporated parts of 1935 AEC Regent DH306 (CKE 443). Renumbered SO75 in 1954, it was sold in 1959. Photo by Eddy Gutteridge.

1954 AEC Reliances CO312 and CO290 (TKM 312 and SKE 986). They were withdrawn in 1966 and 1965 respectively. A 1952 "all-Leyland" Royal Tiger is visble on the left. Photo by Eddy Gutteridge.

1945 utility Bristol K6A DH135 (HKE 236) at Gillingham in the early 1950s. It was given a replacement Weymann Orion body in 1954, and lasted until 1965. Also a utility, 1941 Bristol L5G / Strachan SO3 (GKR 613) was sold in 1956 and became a furniture van. Photo by Eddy Gutteridge.

1946 Bristol K6A DH197 (HKR 49) at Gillingham depot around 1951. Alongside is 1936 Leyland TD4 DL317 (CKO 995) whose running gear was transferred to Beadle rebuild CO243 in Feb 1952. Photo by Eddy Gutteridge.

1949 Bristol K6A DH271 (KKK 877). It was scrapped in 1963. Photo by Eddy Gutteridge.

Gillingham depot, 8 June 1969. Photo Peter Esposito, via Chris Stanley

Gillingham depot, 8 June 1969. Photo Peter Esposito, via Chris Stanley

The Bristol K5G lorry is GKE 65, originally 1939 Chatham & District double decker No.871, converted to gantry lorry 1954. Transferred to Maidstone & District 1955 and numbered 65. At Luton depot, Chatham around 1969 alongside Atlanteans and a 1956 Reliance. Photo by Peter Esposito via Chris Stanley.

Maidstone & District AEC Matador recovery vehicle, probably at Gillingham. Photo by Peter Esposito via Chris Stanley.

GKE 65 was originally 1939 Chatham & District No.871, Bristol K5G / Weymann. Converted to gantry lorry 1954, using Leyland body parts from 1930 Leyland TD1 No.372 (KR 6393), one of C&D's first buses. To Maidstone & District 1955 and numbered 65. Seen here at Chatham around 1969. Retired 1970 and currently preserved. Photo Peter Esposito via Chris Stanley

GKE 65 was originally 1939 Chatham & District No.871, Bristol K5G / Weymann. Converted to gantry lorry 1954, using Leyland body parts from 1930 Leyland TD1 No.372 (KR 6393), one of C&D's first buses. To Maidstone & District 1955 and numbered 65. Seen here at Chatham around 1969. Retired 1970 and currently preserved. Photo Peter Esposito via Chris Stanley