Between 1971 and 1985, the Leyland National became one of the most successful of all single-deck buses. Some 7,700 were built for the UK and abroad, with London Transport taking more than 500.

LS 443 was originally allocated to Ash Grove bus garage near Hackney, for the once-extensive Red Arrow routes. These were high-capacity, multi-standing commuter services running between main-line railway termini and central London locations.

In 1991 a programme was devised between London Country Bus Services and East Lancs Coachbuilders to undertake a major mid-life overhaul of Leyland National vehicles replacing engines and gearboxes, together with a new body design.

Over 170 vehicles from Leyland National fleets across the country were completed, with the mechanical work done at London Country’s Reigate garage and the bodywork done at East Lancs’ premises in Blackburn.

Towards the end of the Greenway programme the fleet of Leyland National 2s operated by London General were all put through this process although with a different rear end design to the non-London vehicles. LS 443 re-entered service as GLS 443 in April 1994.

It was sold by London General in summer 2002 for preservation and became a regular at bus rallies.