STRACHAN
and
BROWN
Strachans, at one time known as Strachan and Brown, was a significant supplier of bus and coach bodies from the ‘Twenties through to the late ‘Sixties. After that they appear to have quit the PSV market but continued to trade as a supplier to the Ministry of Defense. Based for many years in North Acton, London they moved to premises on Hamble Airfield in Hampshire around 1960. The last date I have where any activity is recorded is 1984.

Their products were particularly prominent before WW2 with many London operators using them, while during the War they were a supplier of “Utility” bodywork. Post-War they were particularly associated with Aldershot and District, but seemed to go into a decline in the late ‘Fifties. The ‘Sixties saw a minor resurgence when they bodied a number of rear-engined single decker chassis including the London Transport XMS class, and provided the coachwork on the only five Dodge chassis sold in the UK.
Surprisingly I have been unable to trace more than passing references to this company anywhere on the web, so a group to record its existence seems appropriate.
History
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1865 Birth of James Marshall Strachan [pronounced Strawn] at Medians, near Aberdeen, Scotland.
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1867 Birth of Walter Ernest Brown.
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1881 W E Brown is apprenticed to coachbuilders Laurie and Marner (Oxford Street, London).
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1894 W E Brown starts his own business at Shepherds Bush.
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1896 W E Brown partners with S A Hughes [full name and dates?] as Brown and Hughes (Kensington).
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1907 J M Strachan joins the partnership: Brown, Hughes and Strachan, with a large factory at Park Royal.
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1915 J M Strachan and W E Brown establish a new partnership as Strachan and Brown Ltd, based at the former Brown and Hughes premises (Holland Gate Garage, High Street, Kensington).
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1921 Strachan and Brown move to Wales Farm Road, Acton.
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1928 Strachan and Brown partnership dissolved; J M Strachan continues as Strachans Ltd; W E Brown and sons Dennis and Reginald become directors of Duple Bodies and Motors; the rest is WKC history.
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1929 Death of J M Strachan; Strachans is renamed Strachans (Acton) Ltd.
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1934 Strachans (Acton) is renamed Strachans Successors Ltd.
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1962 Strachans Successors is sold to Giltspur but continues to operate as Strachans (Coachbuilders) Ltd based at Hamble-le-Rice, Hampshire.
1976 Strachans (Coachbuilders) ceases production.
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* This info comes from Mrs Jacky Mackenzie, great grand daughter of Walter Ernest Brown

1920-31-midland-red-a177-oh-1206-tilling-stevens-ts3-strachan-and-brown-b29f

1926-oc1-strachan-brown-of-acton-daimler-cf6-w-l

1927-aec-oc14-strachan-brown-of-acton


1929-oc14-strachan-of-acton-on-berliet

1930-hx-1388-a-e-c-regent-strachans-h2624r

1930-leyland-lt2-with-a-strachan-b32r-body

1932-leyland-ts4-originally-with-harrington-body-rebodied-in-1949-with-this-strachan-c33f-body

1933-gilford-zeus-strachan-h24-24r-079-xm

1936-aec-regent-originally-with-l-p-t-b-h30-26r-rebodied-in-may-1956-with-the-1947-strachan-l27-28r-body-rebodied-by-roe

1939-aec-strachan-double-decker-125-bhj195

1939-aec-strachan-double-decker-129-bhj199

1939-aec-strachan-double-decker-129-bhj199a

1943-bradford-guy-arab-1-fleet-no-467-reg-no-dky-467

1943-guy-arab-had-a-strachan-l27-28r-body

1943-strachan-utility-l27-28r-body-so-extensively-rebuilt-by-silcox-by-1956-into-the-condition-shown-that-it-is-no-longer-recognisable-as-of-strachan-origins

1944-bristol-k5g-strachan-ex-hants-dorset-glj971

1944-guy-arab-ii-rebodied-1960-massey-l57r-2005-gyl984-1945-guy-arab-ii-rebodied-1955-strachan-l56r

1944-guy-arab-ii-with-a-strachan-l27-28r-body

1945-barton-443-gnn704-was-a-guy-arab-ii-with-a-strachans-l27-28r-body

1945-bristol-k6a-stranchan

1945-guy-arab-ii-rebodied-1954-strachan-l56r-a

1945-guy-arab-ii-with-a-strachan-l27-28r-80-wide-body

1945-guy-arab-ii-with-a-strachan-l27-28r-body

1945-guy-arab-ii-with-strachan-h56r-body

1945-guy-arab-ii-with-strachan-l27-28rd-utility-body

1945-guy-arab-ii-with-strachan-lowbridge-body

1945-guy-arab-ll-strachan

1947-33-jde426-bristol-l5g-strachan-dp35f

1947-56-was-a-strachan-l27-28r-bodied-albion-cx19-whilst-81-was-the-roe-l27-26rd-rebodied-single-deck-albion-cx39n-chassis

1947-aec-regent-with-strachan-l27-28r-body-a

1947-aec-regent-with-strachan-l27-28r-body

1947-dennis-j3-lancet-with-a-strachan-c32r-body

1947-guy-arab-iii-with-a-strachan-l27-28r-body

1947-guy-arab-mklll-with-strachan-body

1947-leyland-ps1-1s-with-strachans-c33f-body

1947-maudslay-marathon-iii-strachans-fc33f-new-with-enterprise-coaches-of-kenton-middlesex


1948-38-jde-431-bristol-l5g-strachans

1948-aec-regal-iii-strachans-b35r-jfm575-crosville

1948-aec-regal-iii-with-strachan-b35r-body-a

1948-aec-regal-iii-with-strachan-b35r-body

1948-aec-regal-iii-strachan-ta5

1948-bristol-l5g-strachan-dp35f

1948-guy-arab-114-nev609-with-a-strachan-l27-26r-body

1948-guy-arab-iii-single-decker-with-strachans-b34f-body

1949-aec-regal-iii-with-strachan-b36f-body

1949-crossley-dd42-3-which-was-fitted-from-new-with-this-strachans-fc33f-body.

1949-daimler-cvd6-with-strachans-bodywork

1949-guy-arab-iii-with-a-strachan-l27-28r

1949-guy-arab-iii-with-strachan-l27-28r-bodywork

1949-guy-arab-iii-with-strachans-l55r-body

1949-strachan-c35f-bodied-guy-arab-iii

1950-a-e-c-9612a-regent-iii-with-a-strachans-l27-28r-body

1950-a-e-c-9621e-regal-iii-with-a-strachan-c33f-body

1950-albion-venturer-cx37s-with-a-strachan-l55r

1950-dennis-j10-lancet-with-strachan-b38r-body

1950-dennis-j10-lancets-with-strachan-b38r-bodies-175-hou901

1950-dennis-j10-lancets-with-strachan-b38r-bodies-175-hou901

1950-dennis-j10-lancets-with-strachan-b38r-bodies-175-hou901

1950-guy-arab-iii-with-a-strachan-l27-28r-body

1950-guy-arab-iii-with-strachan-c35f-body

1950-guy-arab-iv-with-uncommon-strachans-fl31-26rd-bodywork

1950-leyland-cpo1-comet-with-a-strachan-c37f-body

1950-leyland-tiger-ps2-1-strachan-b34r

1950-strachan-c35f-bodied-guy-arab-iii



1951-crossley-dd42-8-with-a-strachan-h31-28rd-body

1951-dennis-dominant-with-a-strachans-b41c-body

1951-guy-arab-iii-with-a-strachan-b38f-body

1951-guy-arab-iii-with-strachan-b38f-body-a

1951-guy-arab-iii-with-strachan-b38f-body

1951-guy-arab-iii-with-strachan-fl31-26rd-body


1951-leyland-royal-tiger-psu-1-15-strachan-c4k-gvn-952


1953-bedford-strachans-bus-photo-yugoslavia

1953-dennis-lancet-j10c-with-strachan-c38f-body

1953-strachan-h31-28rd-bodied-a-e-c-9613s-regent-iii

1954-aec-mu3rv-reliances-with-strachan-everest-c41c-bodies-a

1954-aec-mu3rv-strachan-c41c-at-aldershot-garage

1954-aec-mu3rv-strachan-c41c-in-hampton-court-station-goods-yard.

1954-aec-reliance-mu3rv-with-a-strachan-c41c-body-a

1954-aec-reliance-mu3rv-with-a-strachan-c41c-body

1954-aec-reliance-mu3rv-with-strachan-everest-c41c-bodywork

1954-dennis-falcon-lou65-with-strachan-bodywork

1954-dennis-p5-falcons-with-strachan-b30f-bodies

1954-leyland-psuc1-2-tiger-cubs-with-strachans-everest-c41c-bodies

1954-leyland-psuc1-2-with-strachans-c41c-body

1954-leyland-psuc1-2t-tiger-cub-with-strachan-everest-c41c-body

1954-strachan-bodied-aec-reliance

1954-strachan-bodied-aec-reliant

1954-strachan-everest-c41c-bodied-aec-reliance

1954-trojan-dt-strachans-c15f

1955-aec-mu3rv-reliances-with-strachan-everest-c41c-bodies

1955-aec-reliance-strachan-c41c


1955-dennis-lancet-ufs-with-strachan-dp41f-bodies

1955-guy-arab-iv-with-a-strachan-l27-28r-body

1955-guy-arab-iv-with-strachans-l28-28r-body

1955-oc1-strachans-successors-ltd-of-acton-on-aec-reliance-for-fales-coaches-of-bath

1955-strachan-everest-c41c-bodywork-on-its-aec-reliance-chassis

1955-valliant-xhn574-aec-reliance-strachans-c41c

1956-dennis-falcon-strachan-b30f-in-aldershot-garage-yard

1956-dennis-falcon-with-strachan-b30f-body

1956-dennis-falcon-with-strachan-b30f-body

1956-dennis-falcons-with-strachan-b30f-bodies

1956-dennis-p5-falcon-275-por421-with-a-strachan-b30f-body

1956-strachan-bodied-dennis-falcon-por428-at-stokes-bay

1956-trojan-with-a-strachan-c13f-body

1958-strachans-bodied-batch-of-seddons

1959-ford-611e-strachan-bxxf

1962-albion-nimbus-ns3n-with-strachan-dp31f-body

1962-barton-442-gnn703-strachan-bodied-guy-arab-ii

1962-guy-arab-iv-strachans-h72r

1962-guy-arab-iv-strachans-h72r

1962-strachans-bodied-bedford-val

1962-strachans-bodied-bedford-val14s

1963-aec-regent-v-stranchans

1963-aec-regent-v-one-of-a-trio-delivered-to-members-of-the-co-operative-all-carried-this-unusual-and-rare-strachans-bodywork

1963-ford-thames-traders-with-strachans-bodies-seating-33-upstairs-and-carrying-23-bikes-downstairs

1963-ford-thames-traders-with-strachans-bodies-seating-33-upstairs-and-carrying-23-bikes-downstairs

1963-ford-thames-traders-with-strachans-bodies-seating-33-upstairs-and-carrying-23-bikes-downstairs

1963-ford-thames-traders-with-strachans-bodies-seating-33-upstairs-and-carrying-23-bikes-downstairs

1963-ford-thames-traders-with-strachans-bodies-seating-33-upstairs-and-carrying-23-bikes-downstairs

1963-ford-thames-traders-with-strachans-bodies-seating-33-upstairs-and-carrying-23-bikes-downstairs

1963-hutchings-cornelius-strachans-bodied-dennis-lancet-tyc-319-lays-over-after-running-in-from-its-south-petherton-home-while-cyc-669c-a-bedford-sb5-strachans

1963-leyland-titan-pd2a-30-strachans-h61rd-d

1963-leyland-titan-pd2a-30-strachans-h61rd

1964-bedford-val14-strachan-b52f

1964-bedford-val14-with-unusual-low-height-strachan-b52f-bodywork

1964-bedford-val14-with-unusual-low-height-strachan-b52f-bodywork

1964-daimler-92-dcp836-passing-guy-arab-v-demonstrator-888duk-on-trial-with-the-corporation

1964-dodge-s307-strachans-c42f-by-the-kings-arms-at-hampton-court

1964-dodge-s307-strachans-c42f-in-hampton-court-station-goods-yard

1964-dodge-s307-190t-strachan-c42f-ayv-94b

1964-guy-arab-v-demonstrator-888duk-on-trial-with-halifax-corporation-in-summer-1964-it-carried-a-strachan-front-entrance-body

1964-guy-demonstrator-888duk-with-halifax-corporation-in-june-1964-it-carried-a-strachan-front-entrance-body

1964-leyland-leopard-l1-strachan-b45d

1964-leyland-leopard-l1-with-strachans-b45d-bodywork

1964-leyland-leopard-l1-had-bodywork-by-strachan

1964-leyland-leopards-in-1964-with-unusual-but-very-neat-strachans-dual-entrance-bodywork-seating-45

1964-leyland-pd2a-30-with-strachan-h35-28rd-bodywork

1964-strachan-dp49f-bodied-aec-2u3ra-reliance

1964-strachans-bodied-dodge-s307-190t-coaches

1964-strachans-low-bridge-bodied-guy-arab-iv-53dhk

1965-bedford-sb-strachan-pacesaver-b-f-demonstrator-parked-at-sandown-park-race-course-esher-surrey

1965-bedford-sb-strachan-pacesaver-b-f-in-windsor

1965-bournemouth-transport-bedford-vas-strachan-m4 © Richard Godfray

1965-ford-strachan

1965-guy-arab-v-6lw-built-in-1965-with-strachans-h41-31f-bodywork.

1966-aec-merlin-p2r-strachan-b25d-originally-london-transport-xms4

1966-aec-merlin-p2r-strachan-b25d

1966-aec-reliance-strachan-b39f

1966-fbr-53d-leyland-panther-strachans-ex-sunderland-metro-centre

1966-ford-r192-npt306d-with-strachans-b44f-bodywork

1966-ford-r192-with-strachan-b44f-bodywork

1966-ford-r226-with-strachan-b52d-bodywork

1966-leyland-demonstrator-ytb771d-on-test-with-halifax-corporation-a-leyland-psrc1-1-panther-cub-with-a-strachans-b43d-body

1966-leyland-panther-psur1-1r-strachan-53-fbr53d-sunderland-corporation

1966-leyland-panther-psur1-1r-with-strachans-b4719d-bodywork

1966-leyland-psu3-1r-strachans

1966-mbs15-the-only-strachans-aec-merlin

1966-strachans-aec-merlin

1966-wmpte-3661-ford-r192-with-strachans-body-ex-birmingham-city-transport

1967-a-e-c-swift-mp2r-with-strachan-b54d-bodywork

1967-a-e-c-swift-mp2r-with-strachans-b58f-bodywork

1967-aec-reliance-strachan-b39f

1967-aec-xms1-strachan-jla51d-from-gillingham-street-garage-on-red-arrow-route-500-in-park-lane

1967-bedford-sb-strachans-j33643

1967-bedford-vam14-with-strachan-b33d25-body

1967-bristol-rell6g-strachan-b34d-218-srd18-1959-aec-reliance-2mu3rv-burlimgham-b34d

1967-bristol-rell6g-with-strachans-b34d-body

1967-daimler-roadliner-src6-strachan-b54d-in-victoria-square-bus-statio

1967-guy-arab-v-with-strachan-h41-31f-body

1967-leyland-panther-88-gbr88e-with-strachans-bodywork-fbr53d

1967-leyland-panther-88-gbr88e-with-strachans-bodywork

1967-leyland-panther-strachan

1967-strachan-bodied-aec-reliance-ex-aldershot-district-273-mor604

1967-strachan-bodied-ford-r192

1967-two-strachan-bodied-guy-arabs-are-closest-152n-in-cream-blue-ansd-not-then-yet-withrawn-alongside-216n

1968-aec-swift-mp2r-strachan-b47d-at-portswood-garage

1968-aec-swift-mp2r-strachan-b47d-originally-southampton-corporation-4-in-guildford-farnham-road-bus-station

1968-aec-swift-mp2r-with-strachan-b47d-bodywork

1968-eyo-885j-another-bedford-vas-strachans-this-one-with-high-backed-coach-seats

1968-ford-r226-with-strachans-53-seater-body

1968-ford-r226-with-strachans-bodywork

1968-leyland-panther-cub-demonstrator-with-strachans-body-at-the-earls-court-motor-show

1968-leyland-panther-cub-psrc1-1-with-strachan-43-seat-bodywork

1968-leyland-panther-cub-psrc1-1-with-strachan-b43f-body

1968-leyland-panther-psur1-1r-with-strachan-b45f-bodywork

1968-leyland-panther-psur1-1r-with-strachan-b45f-bodywork.

1968 aec-swift-mp2r-strachan-b47d-mtr-420f

1969-bedford-vas-3-strachan-body-ex-mod

1970-ford-transit-with-strachan-b16f-body

1972-ford-transit-strachan-dp16f

1975-the-last-strachan-dda149c.
That’s it, it’s enough