The name Tilling Stevens evokes many memories for old Maidstonians and one man is hoping this long-lost plaque bearing the company’s name will jog some memories too.

The wooden plaque, bearing the name Tilling Stevens Engineering, Maidstone, was unearthed by Jack Skinner’s son, Tony, a long way from its original home.

He made the discovery in an antiques shop in Mount Isa, Melbourne, Australia, where he lives, and snapped it up for eight dollars, saving it to give to his father who visited him recently.

Jack Skinner, 88, who lives in Maidstone, said: “As soon as I saw it I recognised the old Tilling Stevens charabanc from when I was a boy.”

The Tilling Stevens factory was based in Maidstone town centre for many years and made coaches and lorries.

“He went into the shop and saw this there and he decided to buy it,“ he said. “He gave it to me to bring home in case there was any sort of history attached to it - he couldn’t get any history about it over there.”

“Did it go to Australia via a Maidstonian? It's a mystery.”

Jack Skinner was particularly interested in Tilling Stevens as his father, Albert Skinner, worked in the spares shop at the factory, and he remembers visiting there as a boy.

Can you help? Do you recognise the plaque or have any idea how it made its way to Australia? Do you remember the Tilling Stevens factory?

Write to The Way We Were, 6 & 7 Middle Row, Maidstone, ME14 1TG or email messengernews@thekmgroup.co.uk