King Alfred Recollections

Robert Chisnell started running buses in Winchester under the King Alfred name in October 1922. Expansion saw their buses running to destinations including Stockbridge and Basingstoke by the outbreak of WWII. By this time his two sons were largely responsible for running the business, and Mr Chisnell senior died, in his mid-70s in June 1945. The early 1950s marked the zenith of the King Alfred operation. During the 1960s staff shortages and traffic congestion caused increasing problems, The Chisnell brothers retired on 28 April 1973 and the routes then passed to Hants & Dorset. Through the work of enthusiasts who formed the Friends of King Alfred Buses (FoKAB) a number of vehicles have been restored, and their running days give people the opportunity to enjoy bus travel just as it was in days gone by. The local bus network now operated by Stagecoach has recently been branded as King's City. This book illustrates the King Alfred operation, and also includes a quick glance at the present-day Winchester bus.