Military road run parades through Norfolk town in commemoration of 100th anniversary of end of First World War
David Duffield with his rare 1942 Bedford MW Radio vehicle, as the Norfolk Military Vehicle Group prepares for a road run from Dereham. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY - Credit: Copyright: Archant 2018
It was the first large military road run in the county and featured vintage vehicles from across Norfolk and north Suffolk.
The convoy of about 50 vehicles from the Norfolk Military Vehicle Group was waved off today by Dereham mayor Hilary Bushell at Morrisons car park.
Avoiding the main roads, it paraded through the town and Market Place before heading through Gressenhall, Litcham and Fakenham to Bylaugh Hall, where it ended.
Miss Bushell, a self-declared fan of military history, said: 'It was going to be held earlier but the Beast from the East put paid to that. I always marvel at the pristine condition of the vehicles. It's a wonderful display.'
Organiser Mike Curtis, who came from King's Lynn in his 1943 Willys jeep, said: 'This is the first time we've done a big road run like this. It commemorates the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War. They've come from all over the county and we picked Dereham because it's in the middle of Norfolk.'
Richard and Lesley Phillips from Bergh Apton, and their Landrover 127 Rapier, as the Norfolk Military Vehicle Group prepares for a road run from Dereham. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY - Credit: Copyright: Archant 2018
David Duffield, from Hethersett, arrived in his Bedford MW radio truck, dating from 1942. He said: 'I bought it for £8000 from an auction in Beccles. I used baby oil to clean it. I enjoy driving it, but you don't thrash about in it. It only does between 35mph and 40mph. It's very rare.'
David Skinner, from Bungay, brought his Humber Supersnipe staff car which was built in 1944.
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He said: 'It would have been driven by a sergeant and ridden in by high-ranking officers. It's a British car and there were only about 16,000 made. There are only 16 left.'
He said it was hard work driving it as there was no air conditioning, power steering or brakes discs.
Norfolk Military Vehicle Group drivers and their vehicles before their road run from Dereham. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY - Credit: Copyright: Archant 2018
He added: 'I've had it for 15 years and it's just had a complete full body restoration for the first time. It's worth about £30,000.'
Club chairman Ian McCallum, from Beccles, arrived in a Ford station wagon.
He said: 'It's Canadian and was built in 1941 in Windsor, Ontario. There were 365 built. I've taken it to France, Channel islands and Belgium, to commemorate events.'
Organiser Mike Curtis with his 1942 American Willys jeep as the Norfolk Military Vehicle Group prepares for a road run from Dereham. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY - Credit: Copyright: Archant 2018
Organiser Mike Curti, with his 1943 BSA motorbike as the Norfolk Military Vehicle Group prepares for a road run from Dereham. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY - Credit: Copyright: Archant 2018
