Cambridge County Council Plate 404

[113043]

I always thought, (but stand to be corrected of course), the registration plate system we see today was introduced in March 1920 for agricultural machines.

It is interesting that the photo, taken at the earliest June 1920 when the engine was delivered to Cambridgeshire fresh from the Bath and West Show, shows both the County 404 plate and registration plate CE7977. The latest the picture could be is 1924 when the first owner had a fire and the engine was '...badly scorched' and was sold to the Pumfrey's. The engine is seen driving a Marshall drum, the Pumfreys's were staunch Ruston men, using only Ruston drums at that time, so the picture is presumed with the original owners, Samuel Coxhall of Hinxton Grange.