Here is a quick link to the Names and Census Numbers listing, until it is added permanently into the Forum text:- MMP Books The table link is at the bottom of the page, any comments or additions please post to the Pre War, WWII and Post War boards here. Cheers Kevin
Best of luck with it Kevin, Am rather obsessive myself about the practice of listing and this is an admirable project. Keep up the good work. Here's hoping you get lots more contributions by way of names and numbers from forum members. So if anyone sees/has a pic with either or both, or sees a number in War diaries and other sources, link it on this subforum to have it included in the database.
Thanks for you kind words Diane, There are undoubtably errors but we have had a couple pointed out and they will amended shortly and the additions we have received will be added. Cheers Kevin
I've had a proper browse through Kevin & his chaps' .pdf: http://mmpbooks.biz/mmp/tables/Vehicle_Names_V1.pdf And it really is quite a piece of work. Anyone interested in Census numbers, Serials & Names really ought to have a shufti.
Hello I've found my Uncle's WW2 tank GUILDFORD in the listing, here's a photo of them - as Sgt. (Bernard Hudson) he was the senior crew member. I've also attached a copy of the war diary which describes how GUILDFORD was destroyed on 30 July 1944 when it was hit by an 88mm gun. My Uncle said the shell went through the tank "Like a hot knife through butter". Three of the crew were killed.
Hello I've found my Uncle's WW2 tank GUILDFORD in the listing, here's a photo of them - as Sgt. (Bernard Hudson) he was the senior crew member. I've also attached a copy of the war diary which describes how GUILDFORD was destroyed on 30 July 1944 when it was hit by an 88mm gun. My Uncle said the shell went through the tank "Like a hot knife through butter". Three of the crew were killed. Hi Bernie, I am glad that my tank name list has been able to make a connection and are not just a list of names and numbers. I have a WD census number of T251952/D for a Churchill named GUILDFORD. I cannot be sure whether that is the number on your uncle's tank or the replacement for it. Thank you very much for the photo too, this is exactly the sort of reply that adds detail to the spreadsheet. Cheers Kevin
I'd add an internet photo that shows several Matilda Mk III tanks. The two tank names (Spicy & Shocker) and Regiment data were taken from the brilliant source filed by Kevin T. The third name seems to be Spalpeen (?) And the number is T.7440 or T.7140.
This is IWM H9527. The image can be zoomed, and the name on the rightmost tank must indeed be SPALPEEN. The name on the tank must be SHAFTO as per Kevin's list. Note the caption "The present tank bears little resemblance to its famous predecessor in the last war and is a fast, well armoured, well armed and easily manoeuvrable fighting vehicle that can travel over rough, hilly country at an astonishing speed."!
Given that the WW1 Mk IV had a top speed of under 4 mph then in comparison the Matilda II was fast. However in 1918 a Mk IV was experimentally fitted with sprung suspension and with this was at least as fast as the Matilda II but easily manoeuvrable it was not.
Robert, The Matilda II was certainly a greyhound compared with its WWI ancestors. But the problem lied precisely in that comparison, when it should have been with its (enemy) contemporaries. But then of course the morale-raising tone could not have been as triumphant The "well armoured, well armed" part however was deserved in this respect, at least for a time. Michel
Not really as it was intended as an infantry tank and not a tank killer and in that role as originally devised speed was less important - the real problem was in the tactical doctrine/concept of the infantry tank
Tank Skipton features in "Scammell recovery 2" video. Regimental number and signs are quite discernible.
Hi Kevin and/or authors of the database, The attached photo shows a vehicle which looks like it has the name 'ANSTRUTHER' painted on the front. If I've read it correctly then this is a small coastal town in Fife.The person with it is 14327081 Charles Thomas (Scampie) McLaren, Born: 14 May 1924, KIA: 7 Aug 1944. Having looked at your database I can't see this listed although there are others assigned to his unit, 2nd Fife & Forfar Yeomanry. I've posted on a couple of other threads on the forum trying to see if there is any way to find out anything at all about the vehicle and have just come across this one. I've attached the only photos we have of him including two I am presuming that are with the rest of the crew. Many thanks Phaedra