You might think this driver was enjoying the luxury of having other people to wash his car, but this was a case of necessity rather than desire to have
a clean vehicle.
The Mini van driver was leaving the Glasgow Meat Market in November 1960 at
a time when the site had been hit by an outbreak of foot and mouth disease.
Two dozen cases had been established and more than 1000 people were involved in one way or another on the biggest “kill” in the history of what was Britain’s biggest meat market.
In just 14 hours 930 cattle, 3661 sheep, and 151 pigs were slaughtered.
Consignments of cattle and sheep due to be delivered to the market were taken elsewhere or the sales were cancelled.
In an effort to cut the chances of further infection, the market was temporarily closed and vehicles that had to go in and out of the site were washed down to prevent the disease spreading.
Thankfully, things improved in subsequent days, although
it was obviously a while before sales resumed as normal.
These members of the Number 9 Company of the Glasgow ARP (Air Raid Precaution squads) were busy preparing to treat casualties in the early stages of the Second World War. They are seen in October 1939 undergoing intensive first aid training in case of Nazi bombing
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