Fussey Bus Business

Was surfing the web looking for info on Tom Fussey when I came across your excellent site. Tom Fussey was my great uncle, his sister Bessie was my maternal grandmother. I’ve attached a pic of Bessie with one of the Model T Cabs the family operated. The business was started by their father Thomas Fussey (Tom was only ever Tom and christened such), and was originally horse drawn buses and cabs. They operated from premises at the end of Hallgate near the junction of Station St and Beck Bank in Cottingham East Yorkshire. Bessie had her drivers licence as soon as she could and I believe also was one of the first licensed female conductors in East Riding of Yorkshire along with her sister Hannah (Nan). Hannah was the mother of Gordon Fussey who operated the garage and car sales in Beck Bank for many years.
Thomas Fussey started the business prior to April 2013 (Directory Entry), prior to that he was the publican at the Duke of York in Skirlaugh, and again through the turn of the century and approximately up until 1908/09 he was the Stud Groom for William Ashmead Bartlett at Brookfield Stud outside London. Bartlett was the husband to the Baroness Burdett-Coutts. Thomas was killed in Hallgate on 19th Jan 1916 when he was kicked in the chest by one of his horses.
With Tom and another brother Harry off to war with the Army Service Corps as drivers, the business was left to run by Bessie and Hannah until the boys return when Tom took up the reigns and continued until it’s sale in the late twenties.
Whilst I was born in Cottingham, most of my life has been outside of the UK, therefore the information I have, as above, has had to be gleaned from various sources. The photo is the exception, having come from my father, Bessie’s only child. I have no contact with any Fussey’s other than Gordon’s remaining two ageing offspring
Hoping this and the photo is of interest, and I’d be interested to hear from any of your correspondents who may have any further information on the Fussey Bus business.

Glenn Smith

09/10/14 - 17:45

I have a few photos relating to Fusseys of Cottingham.

The First is a Fusseys Charabanc, Second Fusseys premises Cottingham and third Fusses Taxi office Cottingham.

Mike Davies

10/10/14 - 05:44

I know the angle is slightly off, but, judging by the bell tower on the school in the link below picture which seems to match a feature on the building at the left of the middle photo above, I think this is the same location. http://goo.gl/maps/r6qbF

John Lomas

10/10/14 - 05:45

Many Thanks for the pix on the Fussey's. A few comments if I may.

The Charabanc is interesting for two reasons, whilst of low quality I'm pretty certain that the driver is in fact Tom Fussey. Further the name on the side appears to be E.Fussey. If this is the case, it can only be Elizabeth Fussey, Tom's and Bessie's mother, which would infer a date post 1916 when Thomas Fussey senior was killed.

The second pic would have to be on the corner of Hallgate, Station Road and Beck Bank. I only ever knew the area as open ground with the remains of a steel framed shed, the size of a small Hangar to the rear of the property. The area is now new housing.

The third pic shows the corner of No. 24 Beck Bank (still standing, heritage listed), where I lived for a short period of time in the 1950s before going overseas and again in the early sixties on return. The property was owned by Bessie. The gent on the right is Gordon Fussey (on the left unknown) and the taxi business was his. Given he was born 1910, this pic would be in the 1930's. This business was separate to Thomas/Tom Fussey's. My father served his apprenticeship with Gordon who was his cousin.

Many thanks again for the effort of posting the pix, very much appreciated.

Glenn Smith

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