Some memories of Carrick Watson

Watson Bros (Airdrie) Ltd

Began October 1938 first premises opened at Gartlea Road Airdrie in what had been the Midland Bus Depot

The Business moved to High Street Airdrie and secured the Bedford Franchise for the area, and after the war when new vehicles were in very short supply developed a vast business in ex WD vehicles which were purchased from all over Britain, even the Orkney isles !
During this time over 300 ex WD vehicles were completely reconditioned and rebodied as Tippers, Platforms or Vans, New vehicles were not available at that time

The Coatbridge premises were purchased in 1957 and converted to a showroom, This was extended in 1966 when a New Car Showroom was built on the Airdrie side of the Tram Depot
This replaced the Houses on the Main Street which were undermined and became dangerous, so a light structure had to be built on the site.

See Carrick Watson Gallery

Head Office was at High Street in Airdrie which was the Commercial Department along with Parts Department, Body repairs and main Workshop for repairs

 

Photo of the Workshop Staff at Watson Bros High Street Airdrie taken in 1956.  Anybody recognise themselves?
Submitted by Carrick Watson  Watson Family Tree
Click here for larger image

the 'Office Girls'  from Watson Bros High Street Airdrie taken about 1960, very glamourous lot !! The Lady in the centre is my Grandmother, no doubt enjoying all the chat
Where are you all now ???
 
This is the back yard at Beacon House next to the shop, the buildings are the Garages  that used to house the Horse and Cart when they were in use for  shop deliveries
They were used by my Uncles Alec and Bill as workshops for motorcycles which they repaired and sold in the 1930's from Longriggend, this was taken in 1935

This one is a bit older, shows my Grandfather standing at the front of his shop in Longriggend around  1923

My father, James Watson is standing on the left and his  younger brother Alec Watson  on the right as you look at the photo. The shop was a General store on Main Street about halfway along on the left coming from Telegraph road from Caldercruix. As you can see, it sold EVERYTHING !!
Deliveries were made by Horse and Cart at first and then by  a Model T Ford Van when things got all modern !!
Deliveries were made to Greengairs, Slammannan etc  - wherever trade was needed, all the surrounding villages

My Aunt Jeannie Watson ran the shop up to about 1948 when the family moved to Airdrie, she took over the shop after the  4 Brothers joined forces and started Watson Bros Airdrie Ltd, selling ex Army Trucks that they had brought up to civilian spec.. This was started in the Garage at  Gartlea Road just in front of Airdrieonians Football Club. We later moved to the Garage in High Street

We were also Agents for AJS and Matchless Motorcycles for the district, how many folk remember going to Roughrigg to watch the Lanarkshire Motorcycle Club Speed scrambles ?
The Motorcycle Club used to meet every Thursday night at the Rooms beside the Railway Tea rooms on Airdrie Main Street just up from the Cross

My Grandfather in front garden at Beacon House, the attached house to the left was owned by the Wilson Family, the ones who ran Wilson the Butcher  in Caldercruix and later at the Cross in Airdrie

Beacon House Longriggend showing some of the Watson Girls and my Mother in the front Garden. Interesting to note the quality of the housing opposite..

Below is the photo showing the staff at GPO in Coatbridge taken 1931

 

My Uncle Bill Watson (Watson Bros Airdrie) is the one on the extreme right front row

 

He lived in Longriggend at that time so had to travel there every day. I think there was a train service at that time from Longriggend as I can remember my Uncle George Watson , also Longriggend,  who was with the Royal Bank of Scotland in Airdrie then, telling me that if the train was off for any reason he would WALK in to get to work. The normal walk in was to follow the railway lines down as it was the most direct