The London Ambulance Service (LAS) has launched a fundraising appeal to restore its only surviving World War Two ambulance, known to have operated during the Blitz.
The 90-year-old Clements Talbot vehicle, crafted from wood and steel, played a pivotal role in wartime London and remained in service until around 1950.
Having also appeared in the 1969 Battle of Britain film and ITV’s Poirot, the vintage ambulance has been preserved and carefully restored—but is no longer roadworthy.
Now, the LAS hopes to raise £2,000 to carry out specialist repairs and bring the historic vehicle back to life.
Preserving a Wartime Legacy
Craig Henty, who heads the LAS Historic Collection, emphasised the ambulance’s extraordinary legacy: “It made an incredible contribution to London, especially during the war when it carried out frequent rescue missions amid falling incendiary bombs. But its age has caught up with it, and it now requires delicate, bespoke work to become roadworthy again.”
Motoring experts from the Talbot Owners’ Club have partnered with the LAS to assess the work required. Volunteers from the club have pledged their support, but funding is needed for custom-built parts, including a replacement fuel system and updated electrical circuitry.
Public Tour Planned to Showcase London’s Wartime History
Once restored, the ambulance will tour the country as a travelling tribute to London’s wartime resilience. It will be exhibited alongside its original medical equipment to help the public connect with the capital’s rich historical past.
“Encountering an authentic relic from the Blitz offers a powerful way to experience London’s wartime history firsthand,” the LAS stated.
VE Day 80th Anniversary Appearance
This weekend, the vehicle will be on display at the National Trust’s Ightham Mote estate near Sevenoaks, Kent, as part of the 80th anniversary commemorations of VE Day.
Fully kitted out with original medical supplies, the ambulance will feature in live demonstrations of Home Front life during World War Two.
