Hi, in the WD (WO171/2481) of 522 Coy RASC (Inf Bde) which was part of 50 Div on D-Day there are detailed loading lists which include some vehicle numbers. I already have the WD numbers for the vehicles of 524 Coy which I will put up here as soon as I can and which I think are Austin K5 4x4 3-tonners inc 5193786 (can anyone confirm that is correct?). My question is what type of vehicle did these numbers refer to? 4538797 - 3 ton "domestic vehicle" 776012 - 10-3-3 - not sure what this means as the load for all these vehs comes to 3 tons! 1730103 - 3 ton If it's easier I have attached the first sheet in the sequence to see if any one has any bright ideas. I'm assuming (fatal of course) that these 3-ton load vehicles were 4x4 versions but are they of those elusive Austin K5 types? Regards
Hi, in the WD (WO171/2481) of 522 Coy RASC (Inf Bde) which was part of 50 Div on D-Day there are detailed loading lists which include some vehicle numbers. I already have the WD numbers for the vehicles of 524 Coy which I will put up here as soon as I can and which I think are Austin K5 4x4 3-tonners inc 5193786 (can anyone confirm that is correct?). My question is what type of vehicle did these numbers refer to? 4538797 - 3 ton "domestic vehicle" 776012 - 10-3-3 - not sure what this means as the load for all these vehs comes to 3 tons! 1730103 - 3 ton If it's easier I have attached the first sheet in the sequence to see if any one has any bright ideas. I'm assuming (fatal of course) that these 3-ton load vehicles were 4x4 versions but are they of those elusive Austin K5 types? Regards Hello Tom, According to a listing I have for soft-skinned vehicles the numbers on the sheet are as follows:- Ford 3 ton 4 x 4 GS and Breakdown – SM2037 ( L775955 – L776938 ) L776012, L776209, L776266, L776323, L776325 Ford 3 ton 4 x 4 GS – SM2019 ( L4538694 – L4541693 ) L4538797 Chevrolet 15 cwt 4 x 4 – SM2564 ( Z4923997 – Z4925484 ) Z4924806 Austin 3 ton 4 x 4 GS – S2552 ( L5192149 – L5194198 ) L5193786 Ford 4 x 4 – SM2275 ( M5473073 – M5479527 ) M5473499 This confirms your question about the Austin number but I cannot answer the meaning of 10-3-3for definite but, the only thing that stands out is the line above referring that all 3 tonners on 1st side carry 10 stretchers and 3 pillows. Just a thought. I hope this answers some of your questions anyway. But please do post the other numbers. Cheers Kevin
Kevin Thanks very much for those numbers. I find it quite strange that the RASC units of the same division were using different vehicles. That will make my search for all the Austin K5 users even harder. Regards Tom
Having struggled to post the loading tables on here I've given up - hopefully they are on the attached document. Regards Tom If you spot any glaring mistakes I would welcome any corrections - my copies of them weren't the greatest photos I've ever taken!
Having struggled to post the loading tables on here I've given up - hopefully they are on the attached document. Regards Tom If you spot any glaring mistakes I would welcome any corrections - my copies of them weren't the greatest photos I've ever taken! Hi Tom, Thanks for posting that listing. One point. I think that the trailers should begin with X, but the original documents may have been difficult to read. Cheers Kevin
Hi Kevin, Been a bit slow on the Veh numbers as I've been working on some RASC Armd Bde Coys which haven't kept vehicle numbers in the war diaries. Interestingly though, while browsing through 508 Coy WD for 21 Dec 44 I found mention of a Court of Enquiry to investigate a traffic accident involving W.D. Vehicle L5193692 on 21 Sep 44 and one involving W.D. L5192267 on 2 Dec 44. These both correspond with Austin 3-ton G.S. 4 x 4 vehicles according to the Census Numbers you kindly provided and suggest that, despite the infamous problem with Austins, this Coy, at least, continued to operate them during this time. Regards Tom
Hi Kevin, Been a bit slow on the Veh numbers as I've been working on some RASC Armd Bde Coys which haven't kept vehicle numbers in the war diaries. Interestingly though, while browsing through 508 Coy WD for 21 Dec 44 I found mention of a Court of Enquiry to investigate a traffic accident involving W.D. Vehicle L5193692 on 21 Sep 44 and one involving W.D. L5192267 on 2 Dec 44. These both correspond with Austin 3-ton G.S. 4 x 4 vehicles according to the Census Numbers you kindly provided and suggest that, despite the infamous problem with Austins, this Coy, at least, continued to operate them during this time. Regards Tom Hello Tom, No problem with the numbers. Do you know the reasons for the traffic accidents or is the full detail not given. The second could down to weather conditions given the time of year ( when we had seasons and that would have been winter ). Perhaps it was also a case of needs must with 508 Coy having to retain the Austin's on charge. Just a thought. Cheers Kevin
Kevin, No details of the accidents not really given although: 1. 21 Sept 44 - "in which a civilian woman received fatal injuries". 2. 2 Dec 44 - "in which a civilian woman was injred" Absolutely no details on the particular day's entry either so no more clues at all really. Regards Tom
Kevin, Another question re those vehicle serial numbers: The war diary of 508 Coy RASC (Inf Div Tps) (WO171/2481) states that: 3 May 1944 77 Ford (Canadian) Code 356, 3 ton 4 x 4 G.S. lorries transferred to 522 Coy RASC (Inf Bde). Does that tie in with the serial numbers I asked about in the thread above - I have just started to transcribe the Loading Sheets so will hopefully be able to provide the full company list in a week or so. Regards Tom