World War I centenary: How London's buses went into battle

Public transport workers who lost their lives while keeping London moving during the First World War were today remembered across the capital.

Wreaths were laid at train stations and bus garages by Transport for London employees who joined forces with the London Transport Old Comrades Association.

Transport staff not only kept Londoners moving on the home front during the conflict but also provided vehicles to take troops to the Western Front.

Transport Commissioner Sir Peter Hendysaid: “We will always remember the sacrifice made by our staff and their crucial work during some of the defining moments in history.”

Mike Brown, managing director of London Underground and London Rail, laid wreaths in remembrance of staff who worked on the Metropolitan line at Baker Street, followed by a memorial to staff of the North London Railway at Hoxton station. Tributes were also paid at LU’s memorial at the Petty France offices in Westminster.

Leon Daniels, managing director of Surface Transport, was accompanied by bus staff and Old Comrades who led tributes at Merton bus garage.

The 100th anniversary is marked by an exhibition at the London Transport Museum to show the pivotal role the network played during the war. At the heart of the exhibition is “Ole’ Bill”, a 1911 B-type bus on loan from the Imperial War Museum.

It was one of the first buses to be requisitioned for war service and after the conflict was refurbished as a permanent memorial to the role played by London bus staff.

The contribution of women who took over men’s roles in transport is also commemorated.