The Past in Pictures.

J & H Friend Removals & Storage was established by Thomas Friend in 1860.  The man pictured carrying faggots is none other than Thomas himself, taken in Ashdown Forest about 1900. 

Thomas started his transport business taking rabbits from the Birch Grove Estate, Sussex, to Borough Market in London - apparently the estate was overrun with them. The trip was made twice a week by horse and cart, making collections and deliveries on route.

From these humble beginnings Thomas, assisted by his sons John and Henry, started moving other goods from East Sussex to London and vice versa, including the removal of furniture. Goods and furniture were transported in pantechnicons that were originally pulled by horses and later by traction engines.

An example of one of these original pantechnicons was recently shown at the BAR conference in Windsor.