GENERAL INTRODUCTION

From Roman, and earlier times until the beginning of the 20th century horses reigned supreme. They were indispensible in every sphere of human activity.

Armies relied upon them. The Sovereign and Senior officials employed highly decorative coaches to enhance official and State occasions. Private and professional individuals throughout the kingdom, relied on two and four-wheeled vehicles for their professional and private use. Carriages were used to signify status in Society.

Commercial horse drawn vehicles delivered every type of home need - milk, bread, meat, fish, coal and provisions. Light and heavy vehicles conveyed freight from railway stations, storage yards and depositories.

In the Public Sector trams, buses, Mail and Stage coaches provided transport for the masses. Public services employed maintenance vehicles of every kind. Towns and urban areas were kept clean and tidy and supplied with water by a variety of Utility vehicles. There was no agricultural, domestic, commercial or professional area which was not dependent upon the horse.

The aim of these pages, therefore, is to provide a background to the may types of vehicle used