BEF Vehicle Arm of Service Markings (GHQ and others)

Discussion in '1940' started by Rich Payne, Oct 30, 2010.

  1. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    The HD symbol is probably because they liberated St. Valery in 1944.
     
  2. Rich Payne

    Rich Payne Rivet Counter Patron 1940 Obsessive

  3. BattlewagonsBruce

    BattlewagonsBruce Junior Member

    Thanks for that Andrew. I already have your book, picked it up at Salute this year. It is excellent.

    I just could not find any photos of HD vehicles from 1940. I have seen one that my friend who organised the trip to St Valery had of a Bedford 15cwt called(funnily enough) 'Bruce' but can't remember seeing any Div markings on it at all. I should really try and put my hands on it again.
    We took some Northumberland Fusilier veterans and retraced the battalions steps through to St Valery. Quite poignant, as we were all ex officers of that regiment and my great uncle was there as an officer in 7 A&S Highlanders.

    Thanks for the conformation.

    regards

    Bruce
     
  4. May1940

    May1940 Senior Member

    Thanks for that Andrew. I already have your book, picked it up at Salute this year. It is excellent.

    I just could not find any photos of HD vehicles from 1940. I have seen one that my friend who organised the trip to St Valery had of a Bedford 15cwt called(funnily enough) 'Bruce' but can't remember seeing any Div markings on it at all. I should really try and put my hands on it again.
    We took some Northumberland Fusilier veterans and retraced the battalions steps through to St Valery. Quite poignant, as we were all ex officers of that regiment and my great uncle was there as an officer in 7 A&S Highlanders.

    Thanks for the conformation.

    regards

    Bruce

    Sounds like quite a trip. I would like to get there myself one day. Photos are fairly scarce but, like the one identified by Rich, they do show up now and again.

    Andrew
     
  5. JCB

    JCB Senior Member

    Back to basics ! A nice clear 2 white bar above number 85 on a staff car -
     

    Attached Files:

  6. Rich Payne

    Rich Payne Rivet Counter Patron 1940 Obsessive

    Back to basics ! A nice clear 2 white bar above number 85 on a staff car -

    That is indeed a nice picture. Presumably a 1939 Austin 10, judging by the bonnet cowl ?

    According to Andrew's book, '85' with the Lines of Communication bar indicates AMPC and Docks Labour companies.
     
  7. JCB

    JCB Senior Member

    Thanks Rich
    Yes I also thought Austin 10 , looks like the 'area for destruction' there seem to be a lot of pics of this area surfacing at moment on German ebay.
    Craig
     

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  8. MPILOT

    MPILOT Junior Member

    Hello

    La Bassée

    [​IMG]


    Place unknow, 19 may 1940

    [​IMG]

    Regards
     
  9. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Not sure if someone can ID the unit from the 15 but if they can I should be able to give you an idea where they were :)
     
  10. May1940

    May1940 Senior Member

    Hello

    La Bassée




    Place unknow, 19 may 1940



    Regards

    It might be possible to guess the unit of the carrier with the 15, based on the position of the AoS plate and the font. If I find a match I will let you know. The other carrier is not so easy but it is unusual to see one with the starting handle in position in the front. I don't think I have ever seen this before.

    Andrew
     
  11. Ben H

    Ben H Junior Member

    Thanks for posting the Bren carrier pictures. The first one I would guess has been "found" by a group trying to recover it, the starter handle is in place along with the front engine cover side panels being off, the radiator cap top panel is also up. I would imagine they knew how to try and start it but couldn't get it going. Shame the reg or T number can't be seen.

    Ben
     
  12. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Not sure if these have been posted but all are from IWM. This one shows 26 on a diagonal red and green background which makes it one of the Divisional Supply Column Coy's from the RASC. Hopefully the date and location may give the unit away at some point by cross checking all the Supply Column diaries..

    IWM caption reads: The BEF arrives in France, September - October 1939: A British soldier is greeted with flowers by a French girl at Rouen.
    [​IMG]
     
    Ramiles and Elizabeth Perry like this.
  13. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    59 on a black background at Corps level makes it either, I Corps, 1 Army Field Workshop, RAOC. On a Green and Red background II Corps, Cypriot Pack Transport Company or on a black back ground III Corps, 4 Army Field Workshop, RAOC. I think its safe to assume it is one of the Corps Workshop units.

    IWM Caption: The BEF arrives in France, September - October 1939: French civilians at Bernay wave as a British transport convoy passes through the village.
    [​IMG]
     
  14. Rich Payne

    Rich Payne Rivet Counter Patron 1940 Obsessive

    It's a Crossley IGL8 and the gantry certainly points to the Field Workshop. Andrew can probably tell you which one as it still has the Movement Serial number on the wing. It's a shame that they were generally overpainted on arrival.
     
  15. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    This IWM Image clearly shows the I Corps spearhead and 24 which I believe makes this vehicle part of 105 Field Park Company Royal Engineers.

    The IWM Caption for this image is:
    Lorries carrying troops of the BEF through Brebieres, 11 September 1939.
    [​IMG]
     
  16. Rich Payne

    Rich Payne Rivet Counter Patron 1940 Obsessive

    I'm not sure that the '24' is a regulation Arm of service serial. It's certainly not on the reverse of a 'PASS' plate.

    From the crowded collection of civilian impressed lorries, I'd be more inclined to suspect an RASC Troops carrying company. Definitely 1 Corps though.
     
  17. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    I did/do have my doubts. The Corporal co-driver cap badge doesn't overly look RE does it?
     
  18. May1940

    May1940 Senior Member

    Not sure if these have been posted but all are from IWM. This one shows 26 on a diagonal red and green background which makes it one of the Divisional Supply Column Coy's from the RASC. Hopefully the date and location may give the unit away at some point by cross checking all the Supply Column diaries..

    IWM caption reads: The BEF arrives in France, September - October 1939: A British soldier is greeted with flowers by a French girl at Rouen.


    Andy

    The answer is in the mobilisation serial 1162 on the mudguard. I think this makes it 1 Division Supply Column - which also had 26 as its unit serial.

    Andrew
     
  19. May1940

    May1940 Senior Member

    It's a Crossley IGL8 and the gantry certainly points to the Field Workshop. Andrew can probably tell you which one as it still has the Movement Serial number on the wing. It's a shame that they were generally overpainted on arrival.

    You are right Rich. I think it also has the coloured stripes representing the mobilisation serial on the other wing. The number 2106 is 1 Army Field Workshop.

    The unit serial on the AoS plate here is odd. It looks as though the 59 in white has been overpainted with another colour to make it less bright.

    Andrew
     
  20. JCB

    JCB Senior Member

    Morris Commercial 15 cwt, 2nd divison cross keys OAS no. 13
    Craig
     

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