George Edward Milligen

The late George Milligen was no ordinary Norfolk farmer. Born into a privileged family, his father being a successful industrialist, George’s decision to embark on a farming career was a bold one and from the outset he saw the advantages of mechanised farming at a time when the horse was still the most frequent sight on Norfolk farms. This foresight undoubtedly contributed to George’s success in his farming career and this in turn enabled him to indulge his passion for all things mechanical, provided that they intrigued his inquisitive mind.

Around his East Ruston Manor Farm at Stalham, the mildly eccentric Milligen was a familiar sight in any one of his amazing collection of early motor cars, whether at high speed at the wheel of his 1929 Supercharged Mercedes-Benz SSK, tootling along in his 1909 AX Renault, keeping an interested eye on his neighbours’ crops, or more spectacularly keeping the pressure up on one of his steam vehicles, his collection embracing not only the 1896 Salvesen Steam Cart, now such a regular sight on Brighton Road, the 1909 15hp White Steamer or this highly spectacular London to Brighton-eligible Gardner-Serpollet

Edward has been in touch with us to say the following; 'My grandfather worked for George on his return after six years in the REME during WWII and continued to help him with his cars for the rest of his life.  I have great memories as a child of driving around in an amazing range of vehicles.  My grandfather also said that one of his first jobs on his return was to dismantle a barn full of anti-personel devices (both explosive and spring powered) that the ever ingenious George had been stockpiling in case of invasion.'