Rare Waterloo Boy heads to Newark Vintage Tractor & Heritage Show as one of Britain’s oldest John Deere tractors

One of the rarest machines at this year’s Newark Vintage Tractor & Heritage Show could also be one of the oldest John Deere tractors in Britain.

Harry Williams, 87, from Wales, will be bringing his Waterloo Boy to the show on 7-8 November, where it will take pride of place on the John Deere stand as the company celebrates 60 years in the UK and Ireland.

The Waterloo Boy was built by the Waterloo Gasoline Engine Company of Iowa, which John Deere bought in 1918, and it became the first tractor sold under the John Deere name. Many were shipped to Britain during the First World War, where they were sold as the Overtime.

“It’s one of the early ones,” says Harry. “We’re not 100% sure it’s the oldest John Deere in Britain, but nobody has come forward to say they’ve got an older one. If anyone has, I’d love to hear about it.”

Early versions of the Waterloo Boy featured a main chassis frame held together primarily by heavy industrial bolts. In September 1920, engineers permanently transitioned to riveting the tractor’s frame assembly together.

Hot riveting provided a more rigid structure, eliminating the risk of nuts backing off and giving the tractor a more durable, flex-resistant chassis.

Harry’s tractor is bolted together and was manufactured in late 1919. He owns a number of vintage tractors, including an International Mogul and Titan, but had long wanted a Waterloo Boy. In 2007, he was offered one from the collection of a Northern Ireland enthusiast who had imported tractors from America, and he travelled over with a friend to bring it home.

The tractor arrived in pieces, having never been reassembled, and Harry and a small team of helpers restored and rebuilt it over the following months. It made its show debut in 2008 and has been a regular on the circuit ever since.

“It’s been to all sorts of places,” says Harry. “We took it to John Deere’s 50th anniversary at Langar, to Chatsworth House for the RHS Show, and to the East of England Showground at Peterborough. Now we take it to Welland Steam and Country Rally, and the Dorset Steam Fair every year. It doesn’t get much rest.”

Newark will be the tractor’s first appearance at the show. Because of its iron wheels, it will be displayed in the John Deere marquee, alongside a selection of other tractors from the brand’s history, including a 4020 from when John Deere first established a headquarters in the UK and Ireland.

“It’s got a lot of sentimental value,” adds Harry. “It’s running well at the moment, so hopefully it’ll behave itself on the day.”

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