The Morris Commercial Apprentices Association, originally formed in the early 1950’s, changed name to Morris Commercial Ex-Apprentices Association, following demise of the apprenticeship scheme (early 1970s). A few committed members kept association alive.
Morris Commercial LC Register formed 1993 – to catering for owners and enthusiasts of the LC models (LC, LC3, LC4, LC5, and the Austin variant, the Austin 301). Tony Cripps was the main driving force at this time.
1994 – Organisers of LC Register, LD Register, J Register, and Morris Commercial Ex-Apprentices Association met together, to discuss the possibility of a joint magazine, for all Morris Commercial enthusiasts, each organisation agreeing to contribute copy. Norman Painting (Ex-Apprentices Association), produced a one-off booklet, “Morris Commercial Recalling”, judged by all to be a great idea. However, lack of agreement on editorial control no limited further progress.
Summer 1998 – The LC Register organised a rally, for owners of Morris Commercial vehicles, at the Oxford Bus Museum, in response to an invitation from the Museum Trustees. The event was a marked success, with no fewer than 75 Morris Commercial and BMC vehicle types in attendance. This event brought LC Register members and the Morris Commercial Ex-Apprentices Association members together.
Summer – November 1998: Amalgamation between LC register and the Morris Commercial Ex-Apprentices Association was discussed. Tony Cripps (principal activist in the LC register) initiated first discussions with members of the Ex-apprentices Association, including Peter Seymour. Amalgamation was eventually agreed, resulting in the formation of the Morris Commercial Club in November 1998.
Summer 1999 – Another rally was organised at Oxford Bus Museum, followed by one at the British Commercial Vehicle Museum at Leyland, which greatly aided publicity, and the promotion of the Morris Commercial marques in the pages of the preservation press.
All this, a far cry from the first tentative steps in forming the LC Register back in 1993, when only four LC types were known! Where possible, members meet at different rallies up and down the country, help each other with problems, and to exchange advice on sources of spare parts.
The amalgamation has stood the test of time, with the club greatly benefiting from the information and experience that the ex-Apprentices have brought to the Club, together with the enthusiasm of the Register members. There is a constant stream of new members, such that membership is now the highest it has ever been at around 380 members.
