Nick Larkin reports from the funeral of a well-known and well-respected restorer of classic buses
Friends from the bus world were amongst those paying tribute and respect at the funeral of one of the industry’s great characters, PCV restorer, repairer and preservationist Eric Graveling, who died on 23 June at the age of 78.
Eric maintained and MOT’d vehicles for a host of operators in the East Midlands and East Anglia as well as restoring a succession of rare half-cab coaches. He was born in Stamford, Lincolnshire before moving to Warmington, Northants, where his family ran Fleetway Coaches.
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Bus and coach repairs became an increasing part of his work and he moved to new and more spacious premises at Bourne, Lincolnshire, in 2000. Eric carried out a series of major classic coach restorations and became a stalwart of rallies over a wide area, including regular trips to Holland with a coach-load of friends. Although seeing Eric in his work clothes suggested he was not a victim of high fashion, he was a highly intelligent brilliant mechanic.
Arguably his most significant restoration involved 1948 Duple-bodied AEC Regal HHP 755, which appeared badged as a Maudslay at the Commercial Motor Show in an attempt to win over customers of that marque. The coach later ran with Greenslades for many years.
Eric’s funeral service took place at Peterborough Crematorium on Friday 15 July, when guests were conveyed from Bourne in MTL 750, a 1958 Yeates-bodied Leyland Cub new to Delaine, Bourne and now in the care of the Delaine Heritage Trust. Delaine Director Kevin Delaine-Smith said: “We’ve known Eric for many years and he was a good friend, a brilliant mechanic and he would help anyone if he could.”
Eric would have loved the final song played at his funeral: ‘The Wheels on the Bus.’ He leaves behind a son, Simon, and daughter Sara-Jayne.
