National Omnibus and Transport Co
of The Moulsham Works, Chelmsford.
1911 Predecessor company was incorporated.
1919 The predecessor company was the National Steam Car Co. It had been unable to continue running its services in London profitably so closed them down but would concentrate on the provincial services. The name of the company was changed to National Omnibus and Transport Co[1]. It acquired bus operations in Southern England
1922 Joint Managing Directors: Thomas Clarkson and Walter James Iden. Secretary: B. Smith. Manufacturer of steam buses and lorries (Clarkson's patent) using oil fuel or coke.
1924 Sir John Jarvis was elected chairman; the board faced significant problems[2]
1928 The company owned 52 garages in a range of towns; made a share issue to fund investment in acquisition of further businesses and new vehicles[3]
1928 With the passing of the Railway Companies Road Transport Acts, it became clear that the bus companies could face stiff competition so the management of the National company led the way in negotiating with the main railway companies, forming 3 joint companies - Western National Omnibus Co with the Great Western Railway, Southern National Omnibus Co with the Southern Railway and later (1930) the Eastern National Omnibus Co with the London and North Eastern Railway and the London, Midland and Scottish Railway. By 1930 only 2 small areas remained outside the agreements. The National company would operate these businesses[4].
By 1930 the company had been put into a much healthier state and was expected to operate in a complementary role to the long distance rail services.
1930 Financial reconstruction of the company; all of the assets were put into 3 associated companies: Eastern National Omnibus Co, Western National Omnibus Co and Southern National Omnibus Co which were jointly owned with the 4 major railway companies[5]
1931 A controlling interest in the company was acquired by Thomas Tilling Ltd, which purchased more than 90 percent of the shares[6]
1931 The associated company, Western National Omnibus Co, acquired a controlling interest in Bristol Tramways and Carriage Co Ltd[7]
1948 Nationalised; ownership transferred to the British Transport Commission[8]