Fast Marina Magazine

Mumfords of Plymouth

Collection 3713

A newly-deposited accession at the Plymouth and West Devon Record Office will help researchers and vehicle enthusiasts document the history of a well-known city-based company that existed for 150 years. Mumford and Sons Ltd was founded in 1860 and stopped trading in late 2010. During its life it was a continually evolving and expanding business that involved many different members of the Mumford family. "The company started with carriage building and then went on to build the first motor taxi in Plymouth and offer a motor bus service", explains City Archivist, Louisa Mann. "During the Second World War it produced aircraft for the war effort and repaired army vehicles. During its time it also undertook storage and distribution, commercial vehicle repairs and car hire."

Mumfords had a proud and varied history and went on to become the distributor/agent for well-known vehicle brands such as Rolls-Royce, Bentley, MG and British Leyland's Morris in Devon and Cornwall. At one point it was also the distributor of Massey Ferguson tractors and farm machinery for south west Devon.

The accession which was deposited by a member of the Mumford family consists of 14 volumes of photographs plus some additional miscellaneous items, including a celebratory brochure from 1950. "The earliest image in the photographic volumes dates from around 1900 and the images show many different aspects of the company over the years", says Louisa. "We are working to make them available on our online catalogue as they will make an excellent resource for vehicle historians. In the meantime, people can arrange access to the images by contacting us and quoting 'accession 3713'."

For more information email pwdro@plymouth.gov.uk or telephone 01752 305940.