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© Transport for London
Collection of London Transport Museum
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Joe Clough, one of London's first black bus drivers, standing by an early LGOC motor bus on route 11.

Unknown photographer, 1908

Image no: Ukn

Inventory no: 2003/3519

20th Century London caption: Joe Clough (1887-1976) was not only one of London's first Black bus drivers, but he was also among the first drivers of the mechanised motorbuses that replaced the horse-drawn buses. Born in Jamaica, he worked as a stable boy for a Scottish doctor, Dr R C White. One evening the doctor asked, 'How would you like to go to England?' Clough replied that he'd like to very much. Clough worked as a chauffeur for the doctor in London from 1906. Later he was employed by the London General Omnibus Company (1910-14) as a bus driver. He is seen here in front of his B.-type bus. During this time he courted Margaret, a Scottish domestic servant, at weekly visits to the dance hall. The couple were later married.

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