Royal army ordnance corps

ROYAL ARMY ORDNANCE CORPS

The RAOC was responsible for the many hundreds of thousands of items needed by an
army. These range from complete vehicles to drawing pins. It was also responsible for the
Army Kinematograph Service and Mobile Laundry and Bath Units.

The Army Kinematograph Service can be found under Services/Other/Miscellaneous.


ROYAL ARMY ORDNANCE CORPS
Advanced Ordnance Depot. War Establishment IV/216/1. December 1943.
Ordnance Maintenance Company. War Establishment IV/218/1. December 1943.
Port Ammunition Detachment. War Establishment IV/175/2. December 1943.
Port Ordnance Detachment. War Establishment IV/174/2. December 1943.
Ordnance Railhead Company. War Establishment IV/50A/2. March 1943
Advanced Ammunition Depot. War Establishment IV/55/2. April 1942.
Ordnance Beach Detachment. War Establishment IV/109/1.

Corps Field Park. War Establishment III/289/1. December 1943
Divisional Field Park. War Establishment III/290/1. December 1943
Divisional Field Park. War Establishment II/315/2. May 1945
Brigade Ordnance Field Park (Special). War Establishment VIII/708/1. April 1944.
Armoured Stores Company. War Establishment XIV/1417/1. December 1944.
Anti Aircraft Sub Depot. War Establishment XIV/1418/1. February 1945.
Ordnance Company, Allied Liberated Manpower Units. War Establishment XIV/1419/1. February 1945.

Field Ammunition Repair Factory. War Establishment IV/183/1. September 1943.
Mobile Ammunition Repair Unit. War Establishment IV/202/1. November 1943.

Army Industrial Gas Unit. War Establishment IV/255/1. April 1944.
Base Industrial Gas Unit. War Establishment IV/254/1. April 1944.

Officers Static Shop. War Establishment XIV/1416/1. September 1944.
Officers Shop Company. War Establishment XIV/1420/1. March 1945.
Officers Mobile Shop. War Establishment IV/238/1. March 1944.


The following can be found on ‘Other Services’ page
Mobile Field Laundry and Bath Unit Type A. War Establishment III/292/1. December 1943
Mobile Field Laundry and Bath Unit Type B. War Establishment III/293/1. December 1943
Base Hospital Laundry. War Establishment IV/219/1. November 1943.
Medical Base Laundry. War Establishment IV/111/1. June 1942



The ROLE OF THE RAOC
Military Training Pamphlet No23 Part 1
Originally the RAOC was responsible for the provision, receipt, storage, issue, repair and inspection of all ordnance stores in the field. From 1943 much of the maintenance and repair work was transferred to the newly formed Royal Mechanical and Electrical Engineers.

Ordnance field parks hold stores which are frequently in demand. These stores include spare parts and assemblies for REME workshops.

Mobile laundry and decontamination units are responsible for the washing of clothing and for the decontamination of protective and other clothing contaminated when gas is used. This did not happen in NW Europe but precautions were necessarily kept in place.

In NW Europe it was possible to dispense with a stratum of organisation. The work of base depots could remain in the UK and only Advanced Ordnance Depots were deployed. For the first month ordnance stores were handled by Ordnance Beach Detachments while ammunition was handled by Ordnance Ammunition Companies as follows:
Gold Beach
7, 10 and 36 Ordnance Beach Detachments and 43 Ordnance Ammunition Company
Juno Beach
9, 14 and 15 Ordnance Beach Detachments and 45 Ordnance Ammunition Company
Sword Beach
11 and 12 Ordnance Beach Detachments and 44 Ordnance Ammunition Company
Gradually the work was taken over by 17 Advanced Ordnance Depot, joined progressively by 16, 14 and 15 Advanced Ordnance Depots. Each of these consisted of three Ordnance Stores Companies, a Vehicle Company and an Ordnance Ammunition Company. These could be deployed separately and flexibly. Eventually the Vehicle Companies formed a separate organisation.



An ADVANCED ORDNANCE DEPOT.
War Establishment IV/216/1. December 1943.

A large unit with 1,695 all ranks on the establishment.
Consisted of:
Headquarters
MT Stores Company
General Stores Company
Technical Stores Company
Returned Stores Company
Vehicle Company
Stores Transit Sub Depot
Forward Trailer Section

In practice this organisation could be varied according to need, often by adding sub units from other Advanced Ordnance Depots.
Nos 14, 15, 16 and 17 AOD served in 21 Army Group. The various sub units use the parent AOD number eg. 17 MT Stores Company.

Headquarters.
Consisting of a Technical Headquarters, a Depot Battalion Headquarters (Administrative) and a Traffic Office.
Technical Headquarters
Colonel, Ordnance Officer 1st Class, Chief Ordnance Officer
Lieutenant Colonel, Ordnance Officer 2nd Class, Senior Provisions Officer
Lieutenant Colonel, Ordnance Officer 2nd Class, Deputy Chief Ordnance Officer
2 X Captain or Subaltern, Ordnance Officer 4th Class
2 X Warrant Officer Class I Clerk, RAOC Duties
staff serjeant clerk, RAOC duties
serjeant clerk, RAOC duties
lance serjeant clerk, RAOC duties
corporal clerk, RAOC duties
3 X lance corporal clerk, RAOC duties
11 X clerk, RAOC duties
2 X driver IC
4 X motorcyclist
4 X motorcycle
1 X car 4seater 4 X 2
1 X 3ton 4 X 4 Office
Note: two non tradesmen (drivers and motorcyclists) will be trained to operate a telephone switchboard and to fit the necessary extensions for internal communications.
Depot Battalion
Lieutenant Colonel
Major
Adjutant
Subaltern for Regimental Duties
Quartermaster
Warrant Officer Class I Storeman
Warrant Officer Class II Storeman
staff serjeant clerk, RAOC duties
corporal clerk, RAOC duties
2 X lance corporal clerk, RAOC duties
clerk
3 X batman
3 X batman driver
3 X driver
general dutyman
medical officers orderly
officers mess orderly
serjeants mess orderly
regimental dutyman
sanitary dutyman
storeman for unit stores
Medical Officer RAMC
officers mess cook
serjeants mess cook
2 X cook
8 X bicycle
2 X car 2 seater 4 X 2 (including one for Medical Officer)
1 X 15cwt GS
3 X 3ton 4 X 2 GS
2 X 180 gallon water trailer
Traffic Office
2 X Captain or Subaltern Ordnance Officer 4th Class
Warrant Officer Class I Storeman, Technical, Traffic
staff serjeant clerk, RAOC duties
serjeant
corporal storeman, technical, traffic
lance corporal storeman, technical, traffic
5 X storeman, technical, traffic
lance corporal storeman
3 X storeman
lance corporal clerk, RAOC duties
2 X clerk, RAOC duties
4 X driver IC
motorcyclist
1 X motorcycle
1 X Car 2 seater 4 X 2
2 X 3ton 4 X 2
2 X 180 gallon water trailer

MT Stores Company
Consisting of a Headquarters, a Group IIA (fighting vehicle stores) section, a Group IIB (B vehicle stores) section and a Group IIC (miscellaneous MT stores) section.
Headquarters
Major Ordnance Officer 3rd Class
2 X Captain or Subaltern Ordnance Officer 4th Class
Captain for regimental duties
Warrant Officer Class I Clerk RAOC Duties
Company Serjeant Major
staff serjeant clerk, RAOC duties
company quartermaster serjeant
serjeant serjeants mess caterer
serjeant clerk RAOC duties
corporal clerk
3 X clerk, RAOC duties
2 X clerk
storeman, technical, traffic
3 X batman
batman driver
5 general dutyman
medical orderly
serjeants mess orderly
4 X driver IC
2 X sanitary dutyman
2 X storeman
officers mess cook ACC
serjeants mess cook ACC
corporal cook ACC
3 X cook ACC
2 X bicycle
1 X Car 2 seater 4 X 2
Note: two non tradesmen (general dutymen) will be trained to operate a telephone switchboard and to fit the necessary extensions for internal communications.

Motor Stores IIA Section
Major Ordnance Officer 3rd Class
Captain or Subaltern Ordnance Officer 4th Class
Warrant Officer Class I Storeman, Technical, MT Stores
Warrant Officer Class II Clerk, RAOC Duties
serjeant clerk RAOC duties
lance serjeant storeman, technical, MT stores
corporal clerk RAOC duties
corporal storeman, technical, MT stores
2 X lance corporal storeman, technical, MT stores
14 X clerk RAOC duties
19 X storeman, technical, MT stores
2 X storeman, technical, packing

Motor Stores IIB Section
Major Ordnance Officer 3rd Class
Captain or Subaltern Ordnance Officer 4th Class
Warrant Officer Class I Storeman, Technical, MT Stores
Warrant Officer Class II Clerk, RAOC Duties
staff serjeant storeman, technical, MT stores
serjeant clerk RAOC duties
corporal clerk RAOC duties
corporal storeman, technical, MT stores
2 X lance corporal storeman, technical, MT stores
11 X clerk RAOC duties
18 X storeman, technical, MT stores
2 X storeman, technical, packing

Motor Stores IIC Section
2 X Captain or Subaltern Ordnance Officer 4th Class
Warrant Officer Class II Clerk, RAOC Duties
Warrant Officer Class II Storeman, Technical, MT Stores
serjeant clerk, RAOC duties
lance serjeant clerk, RAOC duties
corporal clerk, RAOC duties
corporal storeman, technical, MT stores
lance corporal storeman, technical, MT stores
lance corporal storeman, technical, packing
10 X clerk, RAOC duties
14 X storeman, technical, MT stores
storeman, technical, packing

General Stores Company
Consisting of a Headquarters, Group III Stores (clothing) and Group IV Stores (general).
Headquarters
Major Ordnance Officer 3rd Class
Captain or Subaltern Ordnance Officer 4th Class (in charge of provisions and control)
Subaltern for regimental duties
Warrant Officer Class I Clerk RAOC Duties
Warrant Officer Class II Clerk RAOC Duties
Company Serjeant Major
company quartermaster serjeant
lance serjeant clerk, general duties
2 X clerk, RAOC duties
clerk, general duties
storeman, technical, traffic
3 X batman
3 X general dutyman
medical orderly
serjeants mess orderly
sanitary dutyman
storeman, company stores
officers mess cook ACC
serjeants mess cook ACC
corporal cook ACC
2 X cook ACC
2 X bicycle
1 X Car 2 seater 4 X 2
Note: two non tradesmen (general dutymen) will be trained to operate a telephone switchboard and to fit the necessary extensions for internal communications.

Group III Stores (clothing) section
2 X Captain or Subaltern Ordnance Officer 4th Class
Warrant Officer Class I Storeman, Technical, Clothing and General
Warrant Officer Class I Clerk, RAOC Duties
serjeant clerk, RAOC duties
serjeant storeman, technical, clothing and general
lance serjeant clerk, RAOC duties
lance serjeant storeman, technical, clothing and general
corporal clerk, RAOC duties
corporal storeman, technical, clothing and general
2 X lance corporal clerk, RAOC duties
2 X lance corporal storeman, technical, clothing and general
4 X clerk, RAOC duties
12 X storeman, technical, clothing and general
2 X storeman, technical, packing

Group III Stores (general) section
2 X Captain or Subaltern Ordnance Officer 4th Class
Warrant Officer Class I Storeman, Technical, Clothing and General
Warrant Officer Class I Clerk, RAOC Duties
serjeant clerk, RAOC duties
serjeant storeman, technical, clothing and general
lance serjeant clerk, RAOC duties
lance serjeant storeman, technical, clothing and general
corporal clerk, RAOC duties
3 X corporal storeman, technical, clothing and general
2 X lance corporal clerk, RAOC duties
3 X lance corporal storeman, technical, clothing and general
lance corporal storeman, packing
4 X clerk, RAOC duties
18 X storeman, technical, clothing and general
storeman, technical, packing

Technical Stores Company
Consisting of a Headquarters, a Group V Stores (Artillery and Small Arms) Section and a Group VI Stores (Engineer and Signals) Section.
Major Ordnance Officer 3rd Class
Captain or Subaltern Ordnance Officer 4th Class (in charge of provisions and control)
Captain for regimental duties
Warrant Officer Class I Clerk, RAOC Duties
Company Serjeant Major
company quartermaster serjeant
staff serjeant clerk, RAOC duties
lance serjeant clerk, general duties
2 X clerk, RAOC duties
clerk, general duties
storeman, technical, traffic
3 X batman
2 X driver IC
3 X general dutyman
medical orderly
serjeants mess orderly
sanitary dutyman
storeman, company stores
officers mess cook ACC
serjeants mess cook ACC
corporal cook ACC
2 X cook ACC
2 X bicycle
1 X car 2 seater 4 X 2
1 X Tractor 6 X 4 Heavy
Note: two non tradesmen (general dutymen) will be trained to operate a telephone switchboard and to fit the necessary extensions for internal communications.

Group V Stores (Artillery and Small Arms) section
2 X Captain or Subaltern Ordnance Officer 4th Class
Warrant Officer Class I Storeman, Technical, Armament Stores
Warrant Officer Class I Clerk, RAOC Duties
staff serjeant storeman, technical, armament stores
serjeant clerk, RAOC duties
serjeant storeman, technical, armament stores
lance serjeant clerk, RAOC duties
lance serjeant storeman, technical, small arms stores
corporal clerk, RAOC duties
2 X corporal storeman, technical, armament stores
2 X lance corporal clerk, RAOC duties
2 X lance corporal storeman, technical, armament stores
8 X clerk, RAOC duties
6 X storeman, technical, armament stores
3 X storeman, technical, small arms stores
fitter REME

Group VI Stores (Engineer and Signal Stores) section
2 X Captain or Subaltern Ordnance Officer 4th Class
Warrant Officer Class I Storeman, Signal and Wireless Stores
Warrant Officer Class I Clerk, RAOC Duties
staff serjeant storeman, technical, signal and wireless stores
serjeant clerk, RAOC duties
2 X serjeant storeman, technical, signals and wireless stores
lance serjeant clerk, RAOC duties
lance serjeant storeman, technical, engineer stores
lance serjeant storeman, technical, signal and wireless stores
corporal clerk, RAOC duties
2 X corporal storeman, technical, signal and wireless stores
2 X lance corporal clerk, RAOC duties
2 X lance corporal storeman, technical, signals and wireless stores
lance corporal storeman, technical, packing
10 X clerk, RAOC duties
3 X storeman, technical, engineer stores
storeman, technical, packing
14 X storeman, technical, signals and wireless stores
2 X telecommunications mechanic REME

Returned Stores Company
Consisting of a Headquarters and a receipt stores and repair workshop.
Headquarters
Major Ordnance Officer 3rd Class
Captain or Subaltern Ordnance Officer 4th Class
Captain for regimental duties
Warrant Officer Class I Clerk, RAOC Duties
Company Serjeant Major
company quartermaster serjeant
lance corporal clerk, RAOC duties
lance corporal clerk, general duties
clerk, RAOC duties
clerk, general duties
storeman, technical, traffic
2 X batman
2 X driver IC
general dutyman
medical orderly
serjeants mess orderly
sanitary dutyman
storeman
officers mess cook ACC
serjeants mess cook ACC
corporal cook ACC
2 X cook ACC
2 X bicycle
1 X car 2 seater 4 X 2
Note: two non tradesmen (drivers and general dutymen) will be trained to operate a telephone switchboard and to fit the necessary extensions for internal communications.

Receipt Stores and Repair Workshop
3 X Captain or Subaltern Ordnance Officer 4th Class
Warrant Officer Class I Storeman, Technical, Armament Stores
Warrant Officer Class II Storeman, Technical, Clothing and General Stores
staff serjeant textile refitter
2 X serjeant clerk, general duties
serjeant shoemaker
serjeant storeman, technical, clothing and general stores
corporal shoemaker
corporal storeman, technical, armament stores
2 X corporal storeman, technical, clothing and general stores
corporal storeman, technical, small arms stores
corporal storeman, technical, traffic
2 X lance corporal shoemaker
3 X lance corporal storeman, technical, clothing and general stores
lance corporal storeman, technical, small arms stores
4 X clerk, RAOC duties
harnessmaker
21 X shoemaker
storeman, technical, ammunition
storeman, technical, armament stores
10 X storeman, technical, clothing and general stores (includes two trained in the repair of anti gas equipment)
storeman, technical, engineering stores
storeman, technical, MT stores
2 X storeman, technical, signal and wireless stores
3 X storeman, technical, small arms stores
general dutyman
Attached
armourer REME
3 X carpenter and joiner REME
corporal fitter REME
2 X fitter REME
2 X sheet metal worker REME
painter and decorator REME
Note: fitters REME will be specially trained in the maintenance of boot repair machinery.

Vehicle Company
Consisting of a Headquarters, a Transit Vehicle Park, a Vehicle Group, four Vehicle Parks and a Returned Vehicle Park.
Eventually the Vehicle Companies were removed from the Advanced Ordnance Depots and formed their own organistion.
Headquarters
Lieutenant Colonel Ordnance Officer 2nd Class
Major Ordnance Officer 3rd Class
Captain or Subaltern Ordnance Officer 4th Class
Major for regimental duties
Subaltern for regimental duties
Warrant Officer Class I Clerk, RAOC Duties
Company Serjeant Major
company quartermaster serjeant
staff serjeant clerk, RAOC duties
staff serjeant clerk, general duties
serjeant for regimental duties
corporal clerk, RAOC duties
corporal clerk, general duties
lance corporal clerk, RAOC duties
7 X clerk, RAOC duties
clerk, general duties
2 X batman
2 X batman driver
2 X motorcyclist
medical orderly
serjeants mess orderly
sanitary dutyman
serjeants mess caterer
storeman, company stores
Captain REME
batman driver REME
officers mess cook ACC
serjeants mess cook ACC
2 X cook ACC
2 X motorcycle
1 X car 2 seater 4 X 2
1 X car 4 seater 4 X 2
Notes:
clerks RAOC duties include nine for census duties.
two non tradesmen will be trained to operate a telephone switchboard and to fit the necessary extensions for internal communications.


Transit Vehicle Park
Major Ordnance Officer 3rd Class
3 X Captain or Subaltern Ordnance Officer 4th Class
Warrant Officer Class I Storeman, Technical, Vehicle
Warrant Officer Class I Clerk, RAOC Duties
2 X Warrant Officer Class II Storeman, Technical, Vehicle
serjeant clerk, RAOC duties
corporal clerk, RAOC duties
corporal cler, general duties
2 X corporal storeman, technical, vehicle
lance corporal clerk, RAOC duties
lance corporal driver mechanic
4 X lance corporal storeman, technical, vehicle
8 X clerk, RAOC duties
2 X clerk, general duties
8 X driver mechanic
53 X storeman, technical, vehicle
batman
batman driver
serjeant driver IC
lance serjeant driver IC
corporal driver IC
8 X lance corporal driver IC
89 X driver IC
78 X driver IC
motorcyclist
Attached
staff serjeant armament artificer, vehicle REME
electrician, vehicle and plant REME
serjeant electrician, vehicle and plant, AFV, REME
electrician, vehicle and plant, AFV, REME
corporal vehicle mechanic REME
2 X lance corporal vehicle mechanic REME
3 X vehicle mechanic REME
2 X serjeant vehicle mechanic REME
2 X corporal vehicle mechanic REME
2 X vehicle mechanic REME
officers mess cook ACC
serjeants mess cook ACC
corporal cook ACC
4 X cook ACC
8 X motorcycle
2 X car 2 seater 4 X 2
1 X 15cwt GS
2 X 3ton 4 X 2 GS
1 X 3ton 4 X 2 Machinery RAOC Type I30
1 X 3ton 4 X 2 slave battery

4 X Vehicle Park each
4 X Captain or Subaltern Ordnance Officer 4th Class
staff serjeant storeman, technical, vehicle
serjeant storeman, technical, vehicle
serjeant regimental duties
serjeant driver IC
lance serjeant
corporal clerk RAOC duties
corporal driver mechanic
corporal storeman, technical, vehicle
3 X corporal driver IC
lance corporal clerk, RAOC duties
lance corporal clerk, general duties
lance corporal driver mechanic
2 X lance corporal storeman, technical, vehicle
7 X lance corporal driver IC
3 X clerk, RAOC duties
8 X driver mechanic
12 X storeman, technical, vehicle
batman
batman driver
65 X driver IC
5 X motorcyclist
medical orderly
sanitary dutyman
storeman
officers mess cook ACC
corporal cook ACC
2 X cook ACC
3 X motorcycle
3 X car 2 seater 4 X 2
1 X 15cwt GS
3 X 3ton 4 X 2 GS
1 X 3ton 4 X 2 Machinery RAOC I30
1 X 3ton 4 X 2 Slave Battery
1 X 3ton 4 X 4 Breakdown
2 X 180 gallon water trailer
1 X servicing trailer

Returned Vehicle Park
2 X Ordnance Officer 4th Class
Warrant Officer Class I Clerk RAOC Duties
2 X Warrant Officer Class II Storeman, Technical, Vehicle
staff serjeant storeman, technical, vehicle
serjeant clerk, RAOC duties
corporal storeman, technical, vehicle
lance corporal clerk, RAOC duties
lance corporal clerk, general duties
lance corporal driver mechanic
3 X lance corporal storeman, technical, vehicle
2 X clerk, RAOC duties
2 X driver mechanic
10 X storeman, technical, vehicle
corporal driver IC
3 X driver IC
batman driver
general dutyman
2 X motorcyclist
sanitary dutyman
corporal vehicle mechanic REME
vehicle mechanic REME
serjeant vehicle mechanic AFV REME
vehicle mechanic AFV REME
2 X cook ACC
2 X motorcycle
1 X car 2 seater 4 X 2
1 X 15cwt GS
1 X 3ton 4 X 2 GS
1 X 3ton 4 X 2 Machinery RAOC Type I30
1 X 3ton 4 X 4 RAOC Breakdown
2 X Crane, Turnable, 5ton
1 X 180 gallon water trailer
Note: 50% of the drivers IC in the Vehicle Company will be trained to drive A vehicles.

Stores Transit Sub Depot.
Consisting of a Headquarters, a Warlike Stores Sub Section, a Clothing and General Stores Sub Section, a Transit Section and a Special Issues Branch.
Headquarters
Major Ordnance Officer 3rd Class
Warrant Officer Class II Clerk, RAOC Duties
serjeant clerk, RAOC duties
corporal driver mechanic
lance corporal clerk, RAOC duties
lance corporal clerk, general duties
batman
2 X driver IC
medical orderly
storeman
sanitary dutyman
regimental dutyman
officers mess cook ACC
serjeants mess cook ACC
corporal cook
2 X cook
Note: one clerk RAOC duties to be trained in driving B vehicles.
2 X bicycle
2 X motorcycle
1 X car 2 seater 4 X 2
1 X 15cwt GS

Warlike Stores Sub Section
Captain or Subaltern Ordnance Officer 4th Class
serjeant clerk, RAOC duties
corporal clerk, RAOC duties
4 X clerk, RAOC duties

Clothing and General Stores Sub Section
Captain or Subaltern Ordnance Officer 4th Class
serjeant clerk, RAOC duties
corporal clerk, RAOC duties
4 X clerk, RAOC duties

Transit Section
Captain or Subaltern Ordnance Officer 4th Class
staff serjeant storeman, technical, MT stores
staff serjeant storeman, technical, traffic
serjeant storeman, technical MT stores
serjeant clerk, RAOC duties
corporal clerk, RAOC duties
corporal storeman, technical, armament stores
corporal storeman, technical, clothing and general stores
corporal storeman, technical, engineer stores
corporal storeman, technical, MT stores
corporal storeman, technical, signals and wireless stores
corporal storeman, technical, vehicles
lance corporal storeman, technical, MT stores
lance corporal storeman, technical, signals and wireless stores
lance corporal storeman, technical, small arms stores
2 X lance corporal storeman, technical, traffic
10 X clerk RAOC duties
2 X storeman, technical, armament stores
5 X storeman, technical, clothing and general stores
2 X storeman, technical, engineer stores
11 X storeman, technical, MT stores
2 X storeman, technical, packing
4 X storeman, technical, signals and wireless stores
8 X storeman, technical, traffic
3 X driver IC
1 X car 2 seater 4 X 2
1 X 15cwt GS
2 X 3ton 4 X 2 GS

Special Issues Branch
Captain or Subaltern Ordnance Officer 4th Class
serjeant clerk, RAOC duties
serjeant storeman, technical, clothing and general stores
lance corporal clerk, RAOC duties
storeman, technical, clothing and general stores
clerk, RAOC duties

Forward Trailer Section.
Consisting of a Headquarters, a MT Stores Sub Section, an Armament and Signals Stores Sub Section and a Clothing and General Sub Section.
Headquarters
Major Ordnance Officer 3rd Class
Captain or Subaltern Ordnance Officer 4th Class
Subaltern for regimental duties
Warrant Officer Class I Clerk, RAOC Duties
company quartermaster serjeant
serjeant clerk, RAOC duties
lance corporal clerk, general duties
clerk, RAOC duties
clerk, general duties
batman driver
general dutyman
2 X motorcyclist
medical orderly
3 X motorcycle (including one for officers)
1 X car 5cwt 4 X 4

MT Stores Sub Section
Captain or Subaltern 4th Class (in charge of provisions and accounts)
Captain or Subaltern 4th Class (in charge of stores)
Warrant Officer Class II Clerk, RAOC Duties
Warrant Officer Class II Storeman, MT Stores
staff serjeant storeman, technical, MT stores
2 X serjeant storeman, technical, MT stores
serjeant clerk, RAOC duties
corporal clerk, RAOC duties
2 X corporal storeman, technical, MT stores
2 X lance corporal clerk, RAOC duties
3 X lance corporal storeman, technical, MT stores
15 X storeman, technical, MT stores
batman
4 X driver IC
2 X motorcyclist
3 X motorcycle (including one for officers)
1 X car 5cwt 4 X 4
1 X 15cwt GS
3 X 3ton 4 X 4 Office
2 X Crane 5ton
63 X 5ton trailer
18 X fixed side
45 X dropside
Note: storemen will be trained to drive B vehicles.

Armament and Signals Sub Section
2 X Captain or Subaltern 4th Class
Warrant Officer Class II Clerk, RAOC Duties
staff serjeant storeman, technical, signals and wireless stores
serjeant storeman, technical, armament stores
serjeant storeman, technical, signals and wireless stores
serjeant clerk, RAOC duties
corporal clerk, RAOC duties
corporal storeman, technical, armaments stores
2 X corporal storeman, technical, signals and wireless stores
lance corporal clerk RAOC duties
3 X lance corporal storeman, technical, signals and wireless stores
lance corporal storeman, technical, small arms stores
15 X storeman, technical, signals and wireless stores
2 X storeman, technical, small arms stores
batman driver
2 X driver IC
2 X general dutyman
2 X motorcyclist
3 X motorcycle (including one for officers)
1 X car 5cwt 4 X 4
1 X 15cwt
2 X 3ton 4 X 4 office
37 X 5ton trailer
5 X fixed side for armaments
17 X fixed side for signal and wireless
3 X drop side for armaments
12 X drop side for signal and wireless
Note: storemen will be trained to drive B vehicles.

Clothing and General Sub Section
Captain or Subaltern Ordnance Officer 4th Class
staff serjeant clerk, RAOC duties
serjeant storeman, technical, clothing and general stores
corporal clerk, RAOC duties
corporal storeman technical clothing and general stores
lance corporal storeman, technical, clothing and general stores
clerk, RAOC duties
4 X storeman, technical, clothing and general stores
batman driver
2 X driver IC
1 X motorcycle
1 X car 5cwt 4 X 4
2 X 15cwt GS
10 X 5ton trailer
1 X fixed side
9 X drop side


An ORDNANCE MAINTENANCE COMPANY.
War Establishment IV/218/1. December 1943.
This unit is desgned to provide personnel for
A Headquarters.
A railhead stores section consisting of a regulating station sub section, an army troops railhead sub section and three supply railhead sub sections.
A railhead ammunition section, consisting of three ammunition railhead sub sections.
A railhead tank section consisting of a headquarters and four tank railhead tank sections. Sub sections are on the scale of one per armoured or tank brigade.
An increment of two forward maintenance ammunition sections and two forward maintenance stores sections will be added for each corps served by the company.

Headquarters
Major, Ordnance Officer 3rd Class
corporal clerk
2 X clerk
batman driver
2 X motorcyclist
1 X bicycle
2 X motorcycle
1 X car 5cwt 4 X 4

Railhead Stores Section
Regulating Station Sub Section
Warrant Officer Class I Clerk
serjeant storeman, general and clothing
corporal clerk
clerk
corporal storeman, general and clothing
4 X storeman, general and clothing
Army Troops Sub Section
Captain or Subaltern, Ordnance Officer 4th Class
serjeant clerk, RAOC duties
clerk
corporal storeman, general and clothing
3 X storeman, general and clothing
1 X motorcycle
1 X 15cwt GS
3 X Supply Sub Section each
Captain or Subaltern, Ordnance Officer 4th Class
staff serjeant clerk, RAOC duties
2 X serjeant storeman, general and clothing
2 X clerk
2 X corporal storeman, general and clothing
13 X storeman, general and clothing
batman
cook ACC
1 X motorcycle
1 X 15cwt GS
2 X 5ton mobile crane

Railhead Ammunition Section
3 X Ammunition Sub Section each
2 X Captain or Subaltern, Ordnance Officer 4th Class
Warrant Officer Class II Clerk
Warrant Officer Class II Storeman, Technical, for ammunition
staff serjeant, storeman, technical, for ammunition
corporal clerk, RAOC duties
clerk, RAOC duties
2 X corporal storeman for ammunition
14 X storeman for ammunition
batman
2 X driver
motorcyclist
cook ACC
1 X bicycle
1 X motorcycle
1 X car 5cwt 4 X 4
1 X 15cwt GS

Railhead Tank Section
Headquarters
2 X Captain or Subaltern, Ordnance Officer 4th Class
Warrant Officer Class II Clerk
serjeant storeman, technical, for vehicles
serjeant driver IC
corporal clerk, RAOC duties
3 X clerk, RAOC duties
2 X corporal driver mechanic
3 X driver mechanic
corporal storeman, technical, for MT stores
storeman, technical, for MT stores
4 X storeman, technical, for vehicles
2 X storeman, technical, for armament
2 X storeman, technical, for signals and wireless
batman driver
2 X driver IC
2 X general dutyman
motorcyclist
Warrant Officer Class II Armament Artificer (Vehicles) REME
telecommunications mechanic (field) REME
corporal vehicle mechanic, AFV REME
3 X cook ACC
1 X motorcycle
1 X car 5cwt 4 X 4
2 X 15cwt GS
2 X 3ton 4 X 4 GS
1 X 3ton 4 X 4 Stores, binned
2 X tractor 6 X 4 breakdown
2 X 3ton trailer GS

4 X Sub Section each
serjeant driver IC
corporal driver mechanic
3 X driver mechanic
6 X driver IC
motorcyclist
corporal vehicle mechanic AFV REME
1 X motorcycle

The following increments will be made for each corps served by the company.
2 X Forward Maintenance Ammunition Sections each
Captain or Subaltern Ordnance Officer 4th Class
Serjeant storeman, technical, for ammunition
Corporal storeman, technical for ammunition
6 X storeman, technical, for ammunition
serjeant clerk RAOC duties
batman
motorcyclist
cook ACC
1 X motorcycle
1 X 3ton 4 X 4 GS
1 X 3ton trailer GS

2 X Forward Maintenance Stores Sections each
Captain or Subaltern Ordnance Officer 4th Class
Serjeant storeman, technical, general and clothing
Corporal storeman, technical, general and clothing
6 X storeman, technical, general and clothing
serjeant clerk RAOC duties
batman
motorcyclist
cook ACC
1 X motorcycle
1 X 3ton 4 X 4 GS
1 X 3ton trailer GS

Notes:
All storeman technical must be capable of driving B vehicles.
All storeman technical in Railhead Stores Section must be capable of driving armoured vehicles, all types.
All drivers and driver mechanics in Railhead Tank Section must be capable of driving AFV.

A PORT ORDNANCE DETACHMENT.
War Establishment IV/174/2. December 1943.
For attachment to a dock operating company or equivalent civilian dock s operating unit.
Captain or Lieutenant Ordnance Officer 4th Class. May be a Captain when operating with an independent docks operating company.
Warrant Officer Class I Clerk for RAOC duties
lance corporal clerk for RAOC duties
clerk for RAOC duties
staff serjeant storeman, technical
2 X serjeant storeman, technical
6 X corporal storeman, technical
6 X lance corporal storeman, technical
9 X storeman, technical
storemen include
4 for armament
3 for small arms
7 for MT stores
4 for signals and wireless
3 for engineer stores
3 for clothing and general stores
Note: two privates are to be trained as drivers.
1 X cook ACC
1 X motor cycle
1 X 15cwt GS


A PORT AMMUNITION DETACHMENT.
War Establishment IV/175/2. December 1943.
For attachment to a dock operating company or equivalent civilian docks operating unit.
Captain or Lieutenant Ordnance Officer 4th Class. Inspecting Ordnance Officer.
staff serjeant ammunition examiner
corporal clerk for RAOC duties
clerk for RAOC duties
Warrant Officer Class II Storeman, Technical, Ammunition
serjeant storeman, technical, ammunition
lance corporal storeman, technical, ammunition
8 X storeman, technical, ammunition
1 X cook ACC
1 X motor cycle
1 X harbour launch



AN ORDNANCE RAILHEAD COMPANY
War Establishment IV/50A/2. March 1943.

Consists of
Headquarters
Stores Section with
Regulating Station Sub Section
Army Troops Railhead Sub Section
3 X Supply Railhead Sub Sections
Ammunition Section with
3 X Ammunition Railhead Sub Section
Tank Section with
Headquarters
4 X Tank Railhead Sub Sections. The sub sections are on the scale of one per armoured or tank brigade and will be added or deducted according to the number of brigades based on the railhead for replacement tanks.

Headquarters
Major, Ordnance Officer 3rd Class
corporal clerk
2 X clerk
2 X motorcyclist
batman driver
1 X bicycle
2 X motorcycle
1 X car 2 seater

Stores Section
Regulating Station Sub Section
Warrant Officer Class I Clerk
serjeant storeman, technical, general and clothing
corporal clerk, technical
clerk technical
corporal storeman, technical, general and clothing
4 X storeman, technical, general and clothing
Army Troops Railhead Sub Section
Captain or Subaltern Ordnance Officer 4th Class
serjeant clerk, technical
clerk, technical
corporal storeman, technical, general and clothing
lance corporal storeman, technical, general and clothing
2 X storeman, technical and clothing
3 X Supply Railhead Sub Sections each
Captain or Subaltern Ordnance Officer 4th Class
staff serjeant clerk, technical
2 X clerk, technical
2 X serjeant storeman, technical, general and clothing
2 X corporal storeman, technical, general and clothing
2 X lance corporal storeman, technical, general and clothing
11 X storeman, technical and clothing
batman
cook ACC

Ammunition Section
3 X Ammunition Railhead Sub Sections each
2 X Captain or Subaltern Ordnance Officer 4th Class
Warrant Officer Class II Clerk
Warrant Officer Class II Storeman
staff serjeant storeman, technical, ammunition duties
serjeant storeman, technical, ammunition duties
serjeant ammunition examiner
corporal clerk
clerk
2 X corporal storeman, technical, ammunition duties
2 X lance corporal storeman, technical, ammunition duties
12 X storeman, technical, ammunition duties
2 X driver IC
motorcyclist
batman
cook ACC
1 X bicycle
1 X motorcycle
1 X car 2 seater
1 X 15cwt

Tank Section
Headquarters
2 X Captain or Subaltern Ordnance Officer 4th Class
Warrant Officer Class I Clerk
serjeant storeman, technical, MT duties
corporal clerk
lance corporal clerk
2 X clerk
3 X storeman, technical, MT duties
storeman, technical, small arms
storeman, technical, signals and wireless
2 X corporal driver mechanic
3 X driver mechanic
2 X driver IC
motorcyclist
batman driver
Warrant Officer Class II Armament Artificer REME
corporal fitter MV REME
fitter MV REME
wireless mechanic REME
3 X cook ACC
1 X motorcycle
1 X car 2 seater
2 X 15cwt
2 X 3ton GS
1 X 3ton stores, binned
2 X tractor, breakdown
4 X Subsection each
driver IC
corporal driver mechanic
3 X driver mechanic
lance corporal driver
5 X driver
motorcyclist
fitter MV REME
1 X motorcycle.


ADVANCED AMMUNITION DEPOT
War Establishment IV/55/2. April 1942.
Designed for an Advanced Depot holding 7,000 tons of ammunition.
It consists of a Headquarters plus one Ammunition Company reinforced as necessary from personnel of a Base Ammunition Depot. All clerks and storemen will be trained in ammunition duties.

Headquarters
Ordnance Office
Major, Ordnance Officer 3rd Class
2 X Captain, Ordnance Officer 4th Class
Warrant Officer Class I Clerk
Warrant Officer Class II Clerk
staff serjeant clerk
2 X serjeant clerk
corporal clerk
9 X clerk
staff serjeant storeman
lance corporal storeman
6 X storeman
driver IC
motorcyclist

Regimental Office
Subaltern
Company Serjeant Major
company quartermaster serjeant
lance serjeant clerk
corporal clerk for pay duties
2 X clerk
orderly corporal
post orderly
2 X serjeants mess orderly
2 X sanitary dutyman
2 X general dutyman
2 X batman
driver IC
officers mess cook ACC
serjeants mess cook ACC
2 X cook ACC

Traffic Office
Captain or Subaltern Ordnance Officer 4th Class
Warrant Officer Class II Clerk
Serjeant clerk
2 X corporal clerk
2 X clerk
staff serjeant storeman
serjeant storeman
lance serjeant storeman
2 X corporal storeman
lance corporal storeman
11 X storeman
driver IC
motorcyclist

Inspection Office
Captain or Subaltern Ordnance Officer 4th Class
Serjeant clerk
lance corporal clerk
2 X clerk
WOII Storeman
lance corporal storeman
8 X storeman
serjeant ammunition examiner
coppersmith
carpenter and joiner
painter and decorator
fitter

5 X bicycle
2 X motorcycle
2 X car 2 seater
1 X 3ton 4 X 2

For a 7,000 ton depot one Pioneer Corps Company of 10 sections, or equivalent labour, will be required as a minimum.

The equivalent of twenty 3ton RASC lorries will be necessary.

Ammunition Company
Captain or Subaltern Ordnance Officer 4th Class
serjeant clerk
corporal clerk
4 X clerk
Warrant Officer Class I Storeman
3 X serjeant storeman
lance serjeant storeman
2 X corporal storeman
3 X lance corporal storeman
26 X storeman
serjeant ammunition examiner
batman
2 X cook



ORDNANCE BEACH DETACHMENT
War Establishment IV/109/1.
Designed for a force of one independent brigade.
The following detachments were deployed in 21 Army Group, Nos 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16.

Headquarters
Captain or Subaltern Ordnance Officer 4th Class
corporal clerk

Beach Store Section
2 X Captain or Subaltern Ordnance Officer 4th Class
Warrant Officer Clark
corporal clerk
2 X clerk
staff serjeant storeman
serjeant storeman
3 X corporal storeman
3 X lance corporal storeman
18 X storeman (includes a proportion trained in weapons, MT, signals and wireless and engineer stores.

Beach Ammunition Section.
Captain or Subaltern Ordnance Officer 4th Class
Warrant Officer Clark
corporal clerk
clerk
serjeant ammunition examiner
Warrant Officer Storeman, ammunition
staff serjeant storeman, ammunition
serjeant storeman, ammunition
lance serjeant storeman, ammunition
2 X corporal storeman, ammunition
2 X lance corporal storeman, ammunition
20 X storeman, ammunition (includes one trained in sanitary duties, one trained in water duties and six trained in the use of the Bren lmg.

2 X cook ACC

2 X motorcycle




CORPS ORDNANCE FIELD PARK
War Establishment III/289/1. December 1943.
The role of the Corps Ordnance Field Park was to hold stocks of weapons, vehicles and communications equipment and spare parts or assemblies for them. In many cases these were items which were too bulky or specialised to be held by the Divisional Ordnance Field Park. Although it was a Corps unit it was allocated on the basis of one Ordnance Sub Park per division and the Sub Park followed the division if it moved from one corps to another.

A Corps Ordnance Field Park consisted of
- a Headquarters
- a Corps/Army Troops Sub Park
- an Infantry Division Sub Park for each infantry division in the corps
- an Armoured Division Field Park for each armoured division in the corps

The basic organisation for planning assumed that a corps would consist of two infantry divisions and one armoured division. However there were sufficient sub parks for there to be one per division and the allocation was flexible.

Each of the Sub Parks had the same basic organisation
- Headquarters
- No 1 Section holding complete armaments, signal, wireless and engineering equipments and small arms.
- No 2 Section holding spares and assemblies for MT, armament, signal, wireless and engineering stores and small arms.
- No3 Section holding replacement technical vehicles and trailers.

Headquarters of a Corps Ordnance Field Park
Lieutenant Colonel, Ordnance Officer 2nd Class
Captain for regimental duties
Subaltern, Ordnance Officer 4th Class

Warrant Officer Class I clerk for RAOC duties
Company Serjeant Major for regimental duties
serjeant for regimental duties
corporal clerk for RAOC duties
corporal clerk
lance corporal driver mechanic
lance corporal despatch rider
2 X clerk
2 X driver mechanic
batman
batman driver
2 X despatch rider

telecommunications mechanic REME

3 X motorcycle
1 X car 4 seater 4 X 2
1 X car 5cwt 4 X 4 jeep
1 X 15cwt GS
2 X 15cwt water
1 X 3 ton 6 X 4 GS as Office

Corps Army Troops Sub Park
Headquarters
Major, Ordnance Officer 3rd Class
Captain, Ordnance Officer 4th Class
serjeant clerk for RAOC duties
serjeant clerk
corporal clerk
lance corporal driver mechanic
clerk
2 X driver mechanic
batman driver
2 X driver IC
2 X general dutyman
motorcyclist
2 X regimental dutymen
sanitary dutyman
water dutyman
corporal cook ACC
3 X cook ACC

1 X motorcycle
1 X car 5cwt 4 X 4
1 X 15cwt GS
1 X 15cwt water
1 X 3ton 4 X 2 battery storage
1 X 3ton 6 X 4 Office
1 X 3ton 6 X 4 GS for deliveries
1 X 3ton 6 X 4 Crane

No 1 Section
staff serjeant clerk for RAOC duties
clerk for RAOC duties
corporal storeman
4 X storeman, technical
driver IC
motorcyclist
The storeman include
1 for armament
1 for engineer stores
2 for signal and wireless
1 for small arms

electrician REME
telecommunications mechanic REME

1 X motorcycle
1 X15cwt GS
2 X 3 ton 4 X 5 stores, binned, Type S
2 X 3ton 6 X 4 GS for Vote 9 stores

No 2 Section
Subaltern, Ordnance Officer 4th Class
Warrant Officer Class II Clerk
serjeant clerk for RAOC duties
2 X corporal clerk for RAOC duties
3 X lance corporal clerk for RAOC duties
7 X clerk for RAOC duties
Staff Serjeant Technical Storeman
2 X corporal technical storeman
4 X lance corporal storeman, technical
18 X storeman, technical
driver mechanic
batman driver
8 X driver IC
motorcyclist
The storeman include
3 for armament
2 for engineer stores
11 for MT stores
6 for signal and wireless
2 for small arms
1 for general and clothing

telecommunication engineer REME

1 X motorcycle
1 X car 5cwt 4 X 4
1 X 15cwt GS
13 X 3ton 4 X 4 Stores, binned including
11 for MT stores
2 for stores
26 X 3ton 6 X 4 GS including
18 for MT stores
4 for vote 9 stores
2 for deliveries (fitted with 2 X S bins)
1 for industrial gases
1 for vote 7 and 8 stores
1 X 3ton 4 X 4 Machinery I30

Note that drivers are not provided for all vehicles. Storemen are trained to drive their own vehicle.

No 3 Section
Subaltern, Ordnance Officer 4th Class
serjeant clerk for RAOC duties
2 X clerk for RAOC duties
storeman technical, for vehicles
batman driver
5 X motorcyclist
39 X driver IC
vehicle mechanic REME
vehicle mechanic AFV REME

Ranks not specified above include
serjeant
corporal
4 X lance corporal
39 X private

5 X motorcycle
1 X car 5cwt 4 X 4
1 X 15 cwt GS
1 X 3ton 6 X 4 Breakdown
1 X water trailer

Note that the drivers are for the stock of vehicles held by the section.

Armoured Sub Park
Headquarters
Major, Ordnance Officer 3rd Class
Captain, Ordnance Officer 4th Class
serjeant clerk for RAOC duties
serjeant clerk
corporal clerk
corporal driver mechanic
clerk
2 X driver mechanic
2 X batman driver
2 X driver IC
2 X general dutyman
motorcyclist
2 X regimental dutymen
sanitary dutyman
water dutyman
corporal cook ACC
3 X cook ACC

1 X motorcycle
1 X car 5cwt 4 X 4
1 X 15cwt GS
1 X 15cwt water
1 X 3ton 4 X 2 battery storage
1 X 3ton 6 X 4 Office
1 X 3ton 6 X 4 GS for deliveries
1 X 3ton 6 X 4 Crane

No 1 Section
staff serjeant clerk for RAOC duties
lance corporal clerk for RAOC duties
clerk for RAOC duties
storeman, technical, armament
storeman, technical, engineer stores
2 X storeman, technical, signal and wireless
storeman technical, small arms
storemen include a corporal
driver IC
motorcyclist
electrician REME
telecommunications mechanic REME

1 X motorcycle
1 X15cwt GS
2 X 3 ton 4 X 4 stores, binned, Type S
2 X 3ton 6 X 4 GS for Vote 9 stores

No 2 Section
Subaltern, Ordnance Officer 4th Class
Warrant Officer Class II Clerk
serjeant clerk for RAOC duties
2 X corporal clerk for RAOC duties
3 X lance corporal clerk for RAOC duties
7 X clerk for RAOC duties
staff serjeant technical storeman
2 X corporal technical storeman
4 X lance corporal storeman, technical
18 X storeman, technical
driver mechanic
batman driver
8 X driver IC
motorcyclist
telecommunication engineer REME

The storemen include
3 for armament
2 for engineer stores
11 for MT stores
6 for signal and wireless
2 for small arms
1 for general and clothing

1 X motorcycle
1 X car 5cwt 4 X 4
1 X 15cwt GS
14 X 3ton 4 X 4 Stores, binned including
12 for MT stores
2 for stores
18 X 3ton 6 X 4 GS including
10 for MT stores
3 for vote 9 stores
2 for deliveries (fitted with 2 X S bins)
1 for industrial gases
1 for vote 7 and 8 stores
1 for battle batteries
10 X 10 ton 6 wheeled, articulated
1 X 3ton 4 X 4 Machinery I30

Note that drivers are not provided for all vehicles. Storeman are trained to drive their own vehicle.

No 3 Section
Subaltern, Ordnance Officer 4th Class
serjeant clerk for RAOC duties
2 X clerk for RAOC duties
storeman technical, for vehicles
batman driver
5 X motorcyclist
39 X driver IC
vehicle mechanic REME
vehicle mechanic AFV REME

Ranks include
serjeant
corporal
4 X lance corporal
39 X private

4 X motorcycle
1 X car 5cwt 4 X 4
1 X 15 cwt GS
1 X 3ton 6 X 4 Breakdown
1 X water trailer

Note that the drivers are for the stock of vehicles held by the section.

Infantry Sub Park
Headquarters
Major, Ordnance Officer 3rd Class
Captain, Ordnance Officer 4th Class
serjeant clerk for RAOC duties
serjeant clerk
corporal clerk
lance corporal driver mechanic
clerk
2 X driver mechanic
batman driver
2 X driver IC
2 X general dutyman
motorcyclist
2 X regimental dutymen
sanitary dutyman
water dutyman
corporal cook ACC
3 X cook ACC

1 X motorcycle
1 X car 5cwt 4 X 4
1 X 15cwt GS
1 X 15cwt water
1 X 3ton 6 X 4 Office
1 X 3ton 6 X 4 GS for deliveries

No 1 Section
staff serjeant clerk for RAOC duties
clerk for RAOC duties
storeman, technical, armament
storeman, technical, engineer stores
2 X storeman, technical, signal and wireless
storeman technical, small arms
storemen include a corporal
driver IC
motorcyclist
electrician REME
telecommunications mechanic REME

1 X motorcycle
1 X15cwt GS
2 X 3 ton 4 X 5 stores, binned, Type S
2 X 3ton 6 X 4 GS for Vote 9 stores

No 2 Section
Subaltern, Ordnance Officer 4th Class
Warrant Officer Class II Clerk
serjeant clerk for RAOC duties
2 X corporal clerk for RAOC duties
3 X lance corporal clerk for RAOC duties
7 X clerk for RAOC duties
staff serjeant technical storeman
2 X corporal technical storeman
5 X lance corporal storeman, technical
20 X storeman, technical
driver mechanic
batman driver
9 X driver IC
motorcyclist
telecommunication engineer REME

The storemen include
3 for armament
2 for engineer stores
14 for MT stores
6 for signal and wireless
2 for small arms
1 for general and clothing

1 X motorcycle
1 X car 5cwt 4 X 4
1 X 15cwt GS
13 X 3ton 4 X 4 Stores, binned including
11 for MT stores
2 for stores
35 X 3ton 6 X 4 GS including
27 for MT stores
3 for vote 9 stores
2 for deliveries (fitted with 2 X S bins)
1 for industrial gases
1 for vote 7 and 8 stores
1 for battle batteries
1 X 3ton 4 X 4 Machinery I30

Note that drivers are not provided for all vehicles. Storeman are trained to drive their own vehicle.

No 3 Section
Subaltern, Ordnance Officer 4th Class
serjeant clerk for RAOC duties
2 X clerk for RAOC duties
storeman technical, for vehicles
batman driver
5 X motorcyclist
39 X driver IC
vehicle mechanic REME
vehicle mechanic AFV REME

Ranks not specified above include
serjeant
corporal
4 X lance corporal
39 X private

4 X motorcycle
1 X car 5cwt 4 X 4
1 X 15 cwt GS
1 X 3ton 6 X 4 Breakdown
1 X water trailer

Note that the drivers are for the stock of vehicles held by the section.

Notes on vehicles:
- The 15cwt GS in
No 1 section armoured sub park
No 2 section armoured sub park
No1 section infantry sub park
are for the carriage of replacement carbon dioxide cylinders
- According to the War Establishment table 1% of the 3ton 6 X 4 GS for MT Stores should be flat floor with drop sides. This is an unusual vehicle and 1% is clearly an error.
- If 3ton 6 X 4 lorries are not available for the MT stores role then 3ton trailers may be substituted.

The 10 ton 6 wheeled, articulated lorry is the Canadian FWD. Previously 6ton 4 X 2 lorries from a variety of manufacturers had been used for the carriage of heavy assemblies, in this case largely tank engines.

Note
- Vote 7 stores are clothing items
- Vote 8 stores are specialised items
- Vote 9 are general stores not listed elsewhere.

DIVISIONAL FIELD PARKS
Infantry Divisional Ordnance Field Park
War Establishment II/315/2. May 1945

Headquarters
Personnel
Major
Subaltern
Warrant Officer Class I Clerk for RAOC duties
staff serjeant storeman for technical and motor transport stores
serjeant storeman for signal and wireless stores
corporal clerk for RAOC duties
3 X clerk for RAOC duties
corporal clerk for general duties
lance corporal driver mechanic
2 X storeman, technical and MT stores
2 X corporal storeman, vehicle
storeman, vehicle
storeman, signal and wireless
lance corporal storeman, armament
lance corporal storeman, general and clothing
batman
4 X driver IC
water dutyman
sanitary dutyman
motorcyclist
lance corporal electrician REME
corporal vehicle mechanic REME
2 X cook ACC

Headquarters has the following weapons for local defence
3 X Bren gun
1 X PIAT

1 X Motorcycle
1 X Car 5cwt 4 X 4 (jeep)
1 X 15cwt GS. Fitted with one small bin for the holding of parts. For the delivery of stores
1 X 3ton 4 X 2 GS. For battery storage.
1 X 3ton 4 X 2 GS. For battery delivery
4 X 3ton 4 X 4 stores, binned. For MT Stores
1 X 3ton 4 X 4 stores, binned. For Vote 9 stores
1 X 3ton 4 X 4 stores, binned. Fitted with S bins for small items
1 X 3ton 6 X 4 GS. For use as office
1 X 3ton 6 X 4 GS. For battle batteries
2 X 3ton 6 X 4 GS. For MT stores, but each making 25% space available for signal stores
1 X 3ton 6 X 4 GS. For industrial gasses and Vote 7 and 8 stores
1 X 3ton 4 X 4 Machinery I30. Battery charging and maintenance
1 X water trailer to be towed by one of the 3ton lorries.

Note:
Drivers are not provided for all vehicles.
- The unit should train personnel to drive the normally static lorries.
- All other rank tradesmen except clerk, general duties, should be capable of driving B vehicles.
- MT stores at this level are those parts required for normal maintenance and simple repairs or replacement. Larger items and sub assemblies are held further back.
- Batteries are a major item, both for vehicles and wireless sets. Machinery I30 is equipped for charging batteries while the lorries for storing batteries can be connected to Machinery I30 to keep the batteries fully charged.
- Vote 7 stores are clothing items
- Vote 8 stores are specialised items
- Vote 9 are general stores not listed elsewhere.
- Industrial gasses are mainly oxygen and acetylene for welding, but inert gas for some gun recuperators and flame throwers are held for units requiring them.

3 X Brigade section each
Personnel
Warrant Officer Class II
serjeant storekeeper for technical and MT stores
corporal clerk for RAOC duties
2 X clerk for RAOC duties
4 X storeman, for technical and MT stores
2 X storeman, signal and wireless stores
lance corporal storeman, armament
driver IC
general dutyman
motorcyclist
cook ACC

each section has the following weapons for local defence
1 X Bren lmg
1 X PIAT

1 X Motorcycle
1 X 15cwt GS. Fitted with one small bin for the holding of parts. This vehicle for the delivery of stores
3 X 3ton 4 X 4 stores, binned. For MT stores
1 X 3ton 4 X 4 stores, binned. For Vote 9 stores
1 X 3ton 4 X 4 stores, binned. Fitted with S bins for small items
2 X 3ton 6 X 4 GS. For MT stores, but each making 25% space available for signal stores
1 X water trailer to be towed by one of the 3ton lorries.

Note:
Drivers are not provided for all vehicles.
- The unit should train personnel to drive the normally static lorries.
- All other rank tradesmen except clerk, general duties, should be capable of driving B vehicles.

Armoured Divisional Ordnance Field Park
This is similar to that for the Infantry Division with the following differences
- 2 X storeman, technical and MT Stores are replaced by lance corporal storeman, technical and MT stores and
6 X storeman, technical and MT stores.
- lance corporal electrician REME and corporal vehicle mechanic REME are replaced by lance corporal electrician (AFV) REME and corporal vehicle mechanic (AFV) REME.
- There was one extra Bren lmg
- There was one extra 3ton 4 X 4 stores lorry for MT stores and two extra 3ton 6 X 4 stores lorry for MT stores.

The brigade sections were as for the infantry brigade sections.


BRIGADE ORDNANCE FIELD PARK (SPECIAL).
War Establishment VIII/708/1. April 1944.
Major, Ordnance Officer 3rd Class
2 X Captain, Ordnance Officer 4th Class
Company Serjeant Major
Warrant Officer Class II Clerk
3 X staff serjeant clerk
serjeant clerk
2 X corporal clerk
lance corporal clerk
12 X clerk
staff serjeant storeman, technical (for MT stores)
4 X serjeant storeman, technical (for MT stores)
2 X corporal storeman, technical (for MT stores)
6 X lance corporal storeman, technical (for MT stores)
29 X storeman, technical (for MT stores)
lance corporal storeman, technical (for armaments and small arms)
4 X storeman, technical (for armaments and small arms)
corporal storeman, technical (for signals and wireless stores)
6 X storeman, technical (for signals and wireless stores)
lance corporal driver mechanic
2 X driver mechanic

Note: All tradesmen must be capable of driving B vehicles.

batman
batman driver
corporal driver IC
lance corporal driver IC
6 X driver IC
4 X general dutyman
5 X motorcyclist
sanitary dutyman
lance corporal electrician ( vehicle and plant) REME
lance corporal telecommunications mechanic (field) REME
corporal vehicle mechanic
2 X vehicle mechanic
5 X cook ACC

6 X motorcycle
1 X car 5cwt 4 X 4
4 X 15cwt GS
1 X 15cwt water
1 X 3ton 4 X 2 battery storage
1 X 3ton 4 X 4 GS for deliveries
1 X 3ton 4 X 4 GS fitted with S bins for deliveries
18 X 3ton 4 X 4 stores binned for MT stores
5 X 3ton 4 X 4 stores binned for other vote 9 stores
29 X 3ton 4 X 4 stores for MT stores
8 X 3ton 4 X 4 stores for other vote 9 stores
2 X 3ton 4 X 4 stores with S bins
1 X 3ton 4 X 4 Office
1 X 3ton 4 X 4 Machinery I30
1 X 3ton 6 X 4 crane
3 X water trailer, 180 gallon


ARMOURED STORES COMPANY.
War Establishment XIV/1417/1. December 1944.
Armoured vehicles carried a considerable amount and variety of tools and equipment. Much of this equipment was useful and desirable and tended to be pilfered at every stage from the UK depot to final issue. The Armoured Stores Company was formed to hold AFV kit, which was forwarded to army and corps sections with delivery squadrons. This enabled the AFV to be kitted out just before final issue to units.

Headquarters
Major
Captain or Subaltern
Warrant Officer Class I Clerk for RAOC Duties
staff serjeant, storeman, technical, vehicle
serjeant storeman, technical, vehicle
serjeant storeman, technical, clothing and general
corporal clerk for RAOC duties
corporal storeman, technical, MT stores
corporal storeman, technical, vehicle
lance corporal clerk
lance corporal storeman technical, armament
lance corporal storeman,technical, signal and wireless
2 X clerk for RAOC duties
5 X storeman, technical, armament
5 X storeman, technical, MT Stores
3 X storeman, technical, signal and wireless
8 X storeman, technical, vehicle
batman driver
2 X general dutyman
vehicle mechanic REME
electrician, vehicle and plant REME
2 X cook

2 X motorcycle
1 X light utility
1 X 15cwt GS
1 X 15cwt water
4 X 3ton 4 X 4 GS
1 X 3ton 4 X 4 Office
1 X 3ton 4 X 4 Battery Storage
1 X 3ton 4 X 4 Machinery I30
7 X 3ton 4 X 4 Stores, binned
1 X 3ton 6 X 4 Coles Crane

Army Section
Captain or Subaltern
Warrant Officer Class II, Storeman, Technical, Vehicle
serjeant storeman, technical, vehicle
serjeant storeman, technical, MT
corporal clerk for RAOC duties
corporal storeman, technical, vehicle
lance corporal storeman technical, MT
lance corporal storeman,technical, signal and wireless
storeman, technical, armament
storeman, technical, MT Stores
9 X storeman, technical, vehicle
batman driver
2 X general dutyman
cook

1 X motorcycle
1 X light utility
1 X 15cwt GS
5 X 3ton 4 X 4 GS
3 X 3ton 4 X 4 Stores, binned
1 X 3ton 6 X 4 Coles Crane

Corps Section
Captain or Subaltern
corporal storeman, technical, vehicle
storeman, technical, armament
2 X storeman, technical, MT
3 X storeman, technical, vehicle
batman driver

1 X 15cwt GS
2 X 3ton 4 X 4 GS

Notes:
75% of all RAOC personnel will be trained to drive B vehicles.
50% of storeman, technical will be trained to driver A vehicles.


ANTI AIRCRAFT SUB DEPOT.
War Establishment XIV/1418/1. February 1945.
For attachment to an advanced ordnance depot.
Captain
corporal clerk for RAOC duties
2 X clerk for RAOC duties
staff serjeant storeman, technical, radar
corporal storeman, technical, radar
6 X storeman, technical, radar
serjeant storeman, technical, armament
6 X storeman, technical, armament
batman driver
driver IC
cook ACC
1 X light utility
1 X 15cwt 4 X 4 GS


ORDNANCE COMPANY for ALLIED LIBERATED MANPOWER UNITS.
War Establishment XIV/1419/1.
Headquarters and bulk stores.
Captain
Warrant Officer Class I Clerk for RAOC duties
serjeant clerk for RAOC duties
corporal clerk for RAOC duties
3 X clerk for RAOC duties
Warrant Officer Class II, Storeman, Technical, Clothing and General
serjeant storeman, technical, clothing and general
2 X corporal storeman, technical, clothing and general
4 X storeman, technical, clothing and general
driver IC
1 X light utility

3 X Stores Section each
Warrant Officer Class II Clerk for RAOC duties
Serjeant clerk for RAOC duties
3 X clerk for RAOC duties
serjeant storeman, technical, clothing and general
3 X corporal storeman, technical, clothing and general
4 X storeman, technical, clothing and general
driver IC
1 X light utility

Up to 12 civilians may be employed as cooks, orderlies etc.


FIELD AMMUNITION REPAIR FACTORY
War Establishment IV/183/1. September 1943.
There was only one Field Ammunition Repair Factory in 21 Army Group. It was in the Rear Maintenance Area until early 1945 when it moved to the Advanced Base. Its main task was to deal with ammunition returned from units after a battle. This ammunition might be shells which had been unpacked but not fired, charges which had been unpacked and unused or the unused increments of charges, tank ammunition recovered from disabled tanks or any other ammunition, including mines, about which there was some doubt.

At the least the ammunition was unboxed and required a thorough inspection and repacking before re issue. Often the ammunition was damaged. Most often this was damage to the driving bands or fuses. Sometimes pilfering led to the loss of small but vital components, including the copper driving bands.

The Field Ammunition Repair Factory was also responsible for the disposal of unserviceable ammunition. In NW Europe this usually meant returning it to the UK for dumping at sea.

Major, Ordnance officer 3rd class (Inspecting Ordnance Officer).
3 X Captain or Subaltern, Ordnance Officer 4th Class (Inspecting Ordnance Officer)
3 X Captain or Subaltern, Ordnance Officer 4th Class
Warrant Officer Class I ammunition examiner
2 X Warrant Officer Class II ammunition examiner
4 X staff serjeant ammunition examiner
2 X serjeant ammunition examiner
6 X corporal ammunition examiner
Warrant Officer Class II Clerk RAOC duties
serjeant clerk RAOC duties
corporal clerk RAOC duties
2 X lance corporal clerk RAOC duties
6 X private clerk RAOC duties
corporal clerk general duties
2 X clerk general duties
2 X serjeant storeman, technical
4 X corporal storeman, technical
3 X lance corporal storeman, technical
50 X storeman, technical

Company Serjeant Major
corporal duty NCO
2 X batman driver
3 X general dutyman
motorcyclist
officers mess orderly
serjeants mess orderly
sanitary dutyman
4 X carpenter and joiner REME
fitter REME
2 X painter and decorator REME
2 X sheet metal worker REME
officers mess cook ACC
serjeants mess cook ACC
3 X rank and file mess cook ACC

Up to six sections from the Pioneer Corps may be attached.

6 X bicycle
1 X motorcycle
2 X car 2 seater 4 X 2

2 X Bren lmg.
1 X PIAT


MOBILE AMMUNITION REPAIR UNIT RAOC.
War Establishment IV/202/1. November 1943.
Warrant Officer Class II Ammunition Examiner
serjeant ammunition examiner
corporal ammunition examiner
serjeant storeman
4 X storeman
driver mechanic
driver IC
sheet metal worker REME
carpenter and joiner REME
cook ACC

1 X 15cwt GS
2 X 3ton 4 X 2 GS


FIELD SALVAGE UNIT.
War Establishment III/276/1. November 1943
Field Salvage Units were to sort salvage. All RASC motor transport units serving divisions and corps were tasked with carrying salvage on the return journey. This included containers which could be reused, small equipment which could be recycled and ammunition that had been unpacked but not used. The Field Salvage Unit was a GHQ unit but was provided on the basis of one per corps, which generally gave one section per division. One section in each unit was manned by Royal Artillery personnel.

Headquarters
Subaltern
serjeant ammunition examiner RAOC
2 X serjeant
batman
clerk cook ACC
5 X driver IC
driver mechanic

4 X section each
corporal
lance corporal
6 X private
Total personnel 45

1 X car 5 cwt 4 X 4
1 X 15cwt GS
4 X 3ton 4 X 2 GS


BASE INDUSTRIAL GAS UNIT
War Establishment IV/254/1. April 1944.
There were three Base Industrial Gas Units assigned to 21 Army Group. Initially they remained in the UK and sent gas in cylinders to units. With the advance across France and into Belgium two Base Industrial Units went overseas. No 1 operated in France and No 3 operated in Belgium. Increasingly they used civilian installations and concentrated more on supervising the production from these. No 2 remained in the UK. Civilian installations were used also to produce inert gas for flame throwers.

Consisting of
Headquarters
Oxygen Section with 2 X 600 cubic foot plants
Acetylene Section with one 600 cubic foot plant

Headquarters
2 X Captain or Subaltern Ordnance Officer 4th Class
Warrant Officer Class II Storeman, Technical
corporal clerk RAOC duties
corporal clerk
batman
batman driver
general dutyman
2 X cook ACC
2 X motorcycle
1 X 15cwt 4 X 2 GS

Oxygen Section
2 X serjeant storeman, technical
2 X driver mechanic
4 X storeman, technical
8 X general dutyman
2 X corporal electrician (vehicle and plant) REME
2 X corporal vehicle mechanic REME
2 X vehicle mechanic REME
2 X Tractor 6 X 4 with 15 ton 2 wheeled semi trailer, oxygen plant

Acetylene Section
serjeant storeman, technical
corporal storeman, technical
2 X storeman, technical
7 X general dutyman
corporal electrician (vehicle and plant) REME
serjeant vehicle mechanic REME
corporal vehicle mechanic REME


ARMY INDUSTRIAL GAS UNIT
War Establishment IV/255/1. April 1944.
Consisting of
Headquarters
Oxygen Section with 600 cubic foot plant
Acetylene Section with 150 cubic foot plant

Headquarters
Captain Ordnance Officer 4th Class
Warrant Officer Class II Storeman, Technical
corporal clerk RAOC duties
corporal clerk
batman
driver
2 X cook ACC
1 X motorcycle
1 X car 2 seater 4 X 2
1 X 15cwt 4 X 2 GS

Oxygen Section
2 X serjeant storeman, technical
driver mechanic
2 X storeman, technical
4 X general dutyman
corporal electrician (vehicle and plant) REME
corporal vehicle mechanic REME
2 X vehicle mechanic REME
1 X Tractor 6 X 4 with 15 ton 2 wheeled semi trailer, oxygen plant

Acetylene Section
serjeant storeman, technical
storeman, technical
3 X driver mechanic
2 X general dutyman
corporal electrician (vehicle and plant) REME
corporal vehicle mechanic REME
vehicle mechanic REME
3 X 3ton 4 X 4 GS
1 X 15KVA Generator trailer
2 X 4ton 4wheel acetylene plant trailer



OFFICERS STATIC SHOP RAOC
War Establishment XIV/1416/1. September 1944.
2 X Captain or Subaltern (one may be ATS)
serjeant clerk RAOC
clerk RAOC
serjeant storeman, technical RAOC
3 X storewoman, technical, ATS, for RAOC duties.

Officers purchased their own uniforms and equipment and did not have access to the NAAFI. They could buy battledress and equipment and have them set against their account. Officers did not get paid in cash but had their pay handled by agents who settled accounts and arranged banking matters. Officer’s shops were provided by the RAOC, generally stocking only small amounts of commonly used goods. The static shop in Brussels however grew to be a considerable undertaking, employing civilian staff and providing a wider range of goods and services including tailoring and hair dressing.


OFFICERS SHOP COMPANY
War Establishment XIV/1420/1. March 1945
Major
11 X Captain or Subaltern
3 X Junior Commander or Subaltern ATS
Warrant Officer Class II Clerk for RAOC Duties
staff serjeant clerk for RAOC duties ATS
4 X serjeant clerk RAOC duties
serjeant clerk for RAOC duties
3 X corporal clerk for RAOC duties
2 X corporal clerk for RAOC duties ATS
staff serjeant clerk
clerk
staff serjeant storeman, technical, clothing and general
serjeant clerk, technical, clothing and general
2 X corporal clerk, technical, clothing and general
corporal clerk ATS, clothing and general
6 X lance corporal clerk, technical, clothing and general
2 X lance corporal clerk ATS
29 X clerk, technical, clothing and general (including 18 trained as drivers)
4 X clerk ATS
driver mechanic
3 X batman driver

1 X light utility
1 X car 4 seater 4 X 2 saloon
2 X 15cwt 4 X 4 GS
5 X 3ton 4 X 4 GS
9 X 3ton 4 X 4 GS fitted as mobile shop
6 X 6ton 6 X 4 GS


An OFFICERS MOBILE SHOP
War Establishment IV/238/1. March 1944.
Captain or Lieutenant Ordnance Officer 4th Class
corporal clerk for RAOC duties
lance corporal storeman, technical, clothing and general
3 X storeman, technical, clothing and general
Note: Storemen to be trained in driving B vehicles

1 X 3ton 4 X 2 GS specially fitted under unit arrangements.



RAOC OPERATIONS
For the first four weeks the force was maintained from special packs of stores known as "Landing Reserves" each one comprising approximately 8,000 cases calculated to maintain a brigade group or equivalent formation in ordnance stores for thirty days. There were special sets to maintain such equipment as AVRE and Flails.

From D+26 the force was maintained from Beach Maintenance Packs, containing a more comprehensive range of stores sufficient to maintain a division or equivalent formation for thirty days. One BMP for a division weighed approximately 500 tons and contained some 12,000 cases.

From approximately D+100 onwards, maintenance was to be carried out in the form of Standard Maintenance Packs which included spare parts for heavy artillery, signal and wireless stores, clothing and general stores.

In addition to the stores held by Ordnance Beach Detachments, all formations ashore were supported by the Ordnance Field Parks who landed complete with spare parts and complete equipments such as guns, small arms, wireless sets etc. and vehicles for issue to units of their formation. The Ordnance Field Parks were mobile and sited well forward.

UK remained the base and only advanced depots holding a limited range of stores were be located in the theatre of operations. Special arrangements were made with UK depots whereby indents were sent by air to UK and stores sent to the theatre in a small coaster known as the "Ord Ship".

The first ordnance units to land on D-day were six OBDs capable of handling all types of ordnance stores, two Independent Ammunition Companies to assist the ammunition sections of the OBDs, two Port Ammunition Detachments and one Port Ordnance Detachment for supervising the unloading of ammunition and stores from the ships. These units had the task of maintaining the assault troops with stores from the LRs. In the first place however, dumps were established just off the beaches on D-day and D+1, comprised mainly of ammunition, survivors' kits, blankets and stretchers.

Throughout the campaign all units in the theatre had left in the UK some of their unit equipment not immediately required, thus ensuring full mobility on landing. This remaining equipment was shipped separately as "unaccompanied G1098" which was assembled in ordnance depots on arrival in the theatre and issued to the units concerned.

Final disbandment of the OBDs was carried out at a much later date and the personnel then became available for other duties such as tank kitting sections for corps, staffing Officers' Shops etc.

17 Veh Coy brought in their first reserve vehicles on D+7 and set up a vehicle park in the vicinity of 17 AOD. Another vehicle company landed on D+18 with the first of the phased programme vehicles, the drivers then returning to UK to bring over more vehicles.

The first Mobile Laundry and Bath Units landed on D+12. The bath sections of these units operated with forward units, often under shell and mortar fire, providing a change of clothing and baths for the troops. The laundry sections in the early stages of the campaign concentrated on providing clean linen and clothing for hospitals until relieved by base hospital laundries. One MLBU is capable of providing clean underclothing and a bath for every man in a division once per week.

An Army Industrial Gas Unit landed on D+18 to produce oxygen and acetylene for workshops, RE services and medical units, which helped the shipping problem by reducing the back-loading of empty cylinders to UK for refilling.

On D+22 14 AOD, which was to be the main ordnance depot in the RMA, landed. An immense amount of work was necessary to transform the open countryside into a semi-permanent depot. It was necessary to drain the whole area and then erect 200 steel framed canvas huts. Roads were made and railway spurs run into the depot from the adjacent main line.

Initially ammunition was received by the ammunition sections of the OBDs assisted by the ammunition companies under the direction of corps acting through the beach sub areas.

All ammunition dumps in the bridgehead were laid out in accordance with the "User Type Principle" which was found to be most satisfactory, and speeded up the handover of ammunition to formations and units when collecting ammunition. This principle involved dividing dumps into areas each capable of holding ten to twenty thousand tons. These areas were then subdivided into the following groups:-
Group 1 - AA ammunition
Group 2 - Fd arty ammunition
Group 3 - Tk and A.tk ammunition
Group 4 - Med and hy arty ammunition
Group 5 - Inf ammunition
Group 6 - Demolitions and associated RE stores

Very heavy tonnages were handled by all ammunition units in the bridgehead. On D-day alone, 6,500 tons were landed and during the first ten days over 80,000 tons were landed to say nothing of heavy issues being handled at the same time. The average daily tonnage handled by the two BADs during the first two months of the campaign was 8,230, the peak day being 16,600, in comparison with the figure of 2,000 tons per day normally expected to be handled by a BAD. The maximum tonnage held at any one time during this period was 125,765 tons. Extensive use was made of pioneer companies in handling this enormous tonnage.

On 16 August 14 Forward Trailer Section opened for issue. This unit had been specially stocked to supply MT spares to L of C units who lacked the Ordnance Field Parks of formations. 14 FTS consisted of forty-one four-ton trailers fitted with bins to carry small MT spare parts and sixty-nine bulk trailers for larger components.

One base laundry, three base hospital laundries, one base industrial gas unit, four army industrial gas units, twenty-one BRITISH and six Canadian mobile laundry and bath units, seventeen port ordnance detachments and fourteen port ammunition detachments arrived in the theatre ready to operate in the advance base and the Channel ports as soon as they were liberated.

A programme for the re-organisation of field artillery in the assault corps was arranged during August. Seven regiments equipped with SP 105 mm guns were converted into 25 pr regiments. All stores and equipment required for this were brought over from UK together with a detachment of personnel of 15 AOD to set up a special re-organisation park to receive back the old equipment and issue the new.

The equipment rendered surplus by the disbandment of 59 Division and one brigade of 49 Division was received into 14 AOD which opened up special returned stores parks to handle the vast amount of equipment involved. Here the equipment was sorted, repaired and reissued to other units. Surplus vehicles were received into returned vehicle parks for servicing and re-issue.

After the break-out from the NORMANDY bridgehead both armies were maintained by road convoys from depots in the RMA to the ordnance maintenance companies at army roadheads. At the same time a special stores convoy unit to carry forward stores of extreme urgency was formed from 15 FTS, a part of 15 AOD.

Owing to the very limited space in the RMA, as many as three or four vehicle parks were operating on the same site although independently of each other. Throughout the campaign army vehicle parks moved up in support of their formations and other vehicle parks were located at points along the L of C to control vehicles being ferried to armies. At times it was necessary to employ all available drivers, including military reinforcements and civilians to ensure that advanced parks were constantly stocked.

It was found necessary to establish intermediate ammunition dumps along the line of advance in addition to maintaining dumps already in the army roadheads.

Field artillery ammunition was in short supply and it was necessary to despatch 112,000 rounds of 25-pr by air from UK. A further 80,000 25 pdr HE shell were discovered in a German dump which had been maintained by the Germans since 1940.

A good site in Antwerp with excellent storage facilities and efficient road and rail communications, was found and 15 AOD commenced preparations for opening their depot in the New Year. Personnel of 17 AOD arrived in ANTWERP on 30 October to assist in this and approximately 10,000 civilians were also employed.

The inability of divisional laundries to wash bulky items such as blankets coupled with the presence of convalescent depots, reinforcement camps and hospitals in the army areas made it essential for extensive laundry services to be provided. It was decided that a base laundry should be sited in Second Army Troops area to serve both armies. A base hospital laundry was sited in the Ostend hospital area while another moved to Brussels. Two hundred civilian laundries were placed under contract during this phase to serve troops on the L of C in Belgium.

As the number of AA units opposing the V weapons increased in the advance base an AA ordnance depot staffed by specially trained personnel from the UK was opened in conjunction with 14 FTS to hold equipment such as radar and spare parts which were peculiar to these units. Towards the end of the campaign many of these AA units were disbanded or re-organised for other roles and a disused airfield was used to accommodate the larger stores and equipment made surplus.

A gas producing detachment attached to 15 AOD produced inert gas for flame-throwing equipment which was much in use during the fighting between the Maas and the Rhine. Unfortunately a V-2 bomb made a direct hit on it, completely destroying the plant and killing all the senior NCOs. However, by improvising equipment borrowed from the RAF and by obtaining additional plant from the UK the unit was in operation again in ten days.

The first officers' shop in the advance base opened at Brussels in excellent premises. The turnover for the first day was £3,000 and thereafter the weekly average remained at approximately £5,000. Ten static shops opened in Belgium and Holland at leave centres and towns where there were large concentrations of troops. The armies were supplied through mobile officers' shops on the basis of one to each corps, but as they operated from vehicles the range and quantity of the stores they held was limited.

Good use was made of the industrial capacity of Belgium for repairing stores and clothing returned by units. In March 21,000 tons of general stores and clothing were received, sorted, repaired and re-issued by 17 Returned Stores Depot with the aid of civilian contractors. Approximately 30,000 pairs of boots a month were also repaired and in some cases rebuilt by this unit. Allied liberated manpower units were largely issued with this part-worn clothing.

The arrival in the theatre of formations from Italy during Goldflake involved a large re-equipment programme. Vehicles were shipped separately from personnel and were handled by vehicle park personnel. Many of these needed overhaul and modification before they could be used in 21 Army Group. Many of the A vehicles had to be returned to the UK workshops and replaced from stocks in theatre.

The ammunition build-up for Operation Plunder was the largest ever undertaken by Second Army. The stocks required from No 8 Army Roadhead for the operation were cleared by rail to the ammunition railheads in No. 10 Army Roadhead by 18 March and a maximum of seven trains a day from the advance base were also received. During the build-up the average tonnage of ammunition receipts and issues handled in the roadhead was 4,470 tons, the highest tonnage in any one day being 9,150 tons on 25 March.

To conceal the preparations for the operation a smoke screen was provided on the west bank of the Rhine and a very large number of smoke generators were used for this purpose, completely exhausting all stocks in the advance base so that it was found necessary to comb the AA gun positions in the neighbourhood of Antwerp to provide the amount required.