Maidstone & District Motor Services was formed in 1911, expanding rapidly after the Great Warwith many smaller operators being acquired in the 20's and 30's to give an area stretching from Gravesend and Faversham on the North Kent coast down to Rye and Bexhill in East Sussex. During WW2 this area was in the front line but vehicle losses were remarkably low, except on 27th Aug.1940 when Gillingham depot was bombed, destroying 51 buses.Between 1940 and 1945 , 141 new busesarrived, all five being double-deckers to Ministry of Supply 'Utility' specifications, 36 were on Guy Arab chassis , 22 on Daimler and 78 on Bristol.