Moulton and The Hall: The Great War 1914-1918

Nevertheless, in 1916 the Daily Mail alleged that Spencer-
Moulton had been treacherous in supplying tyres into
neutral countries without adequate safeguards against
onward shipping and that these tyres were being used as part
of the German war machine.
The Spencer-Moulton Board were furious at this suggestion
(one can imagine that John Moulton, having already lost his
son, was particularly incensed) and took legal action against
Associated Newspapers Ltd. with the result being the court
finding the allegations entirely without foundation.
Spencer Moulton were further moved to place ‘Honour
Vindicated’ advertisements in the press detailing the story
and adding that, far from supplying tyres without ensuring
that they did not fall into enemy hands, at the outbreak
of war they had actually recalled their stocks of tyres from
neutral countries.
Other Spencer-Moulton advertisements of the time made
a strong plea to buy British: “Help win the war by giving your
whole-hearted support to British tyres. Every penny spent on
imported tyres hampers home industries and undermines the
financial stability of the country. The Spencer-Moulton threeribbed
tyre is British made throughout. It gives as good service as
any imported tyre - and in many cases scores a distinct advantage
on the question of price.”
Spencer-Moulton lost 47 of their workforce during the
war, including George Spencer who was effectively Eric
Moulton’s counterpart in the Spencer family and, at 31,
already a member of the Board of Directors. George died
from wounds sustained in battle in December 1917.
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