Annison Bull Automobile and Carriage Builder
Two brothers, William Annison Bull (1874-1961) and Albert John Bull (1882-1960) started the automobile and carriage building business in 1897, with premises on Gay Lane and Nelson Place (corner of Charles Street/Gay Lane).
The business initially manufactured and supplied horse-drawn vehicles and later, motor cars and vans via a Ford dealership. A more unusual vehicle developed was the “WABOY” which was produced in 1933. This was a small tractor and designed to be used on golf courses.
William lived at 4 Gay Lane, married Emilie Thompson (1894-1948) who lived next door at 2 Gay Lane, with her parents, They continued to live at 2/4 Gay Lane, with their daughter Louisa (b1894) moving to “Carr Mont”, Billams Hill in 1922 where he stayed until his death in 1961. Both are buried in Otley Cemetery.
Albert also worked in the business. Living initially with William, he married Clara Ethel Banks in 1912, moved to Cambridge Terrace in 1915 and East View Terrace in 1926. At some point before the 1939 census, they relocated to Whitby.
