BEF Vehicle Arm of Service Markings (GHQ and others)

Although a third Machine Gun Battalion is not shown for 3 Corps in the 11th April 1940 GHQ lists, the background colour used by 1st Battalion Princess Louise's Kensington Regiment, should be red as per 7 RNF and 9 Manchesters (who used '34' and '35' respectively).

 

That's a original photo from my collection, on the mud guard right side 3 Corps. 36
Keith

 

I've been somewhat remiss in keeping this thread running, but here is a BEF motorcycle, posted on the WD Motorcycle forum (with an "impressed, Motorcycle, various makes" WD serial) clearly in France during the phoney war. Andrew Foulkes has confirmed that the partially visible movement serial must be 16257 which was allocated to 16 Despatch Rider Section who were allocated to GHQ Arras. They were based at Catterick and left for France on 5th November 1939.

 

A partially hidden Arm of Service serial on this abandoned Light Dragon. Almost certainly the "25" of 2 RHA, with GHQ bar. The only artillery alternatives are anti-aircraft regiments and it is recorded that 2 RHA were using these tractors.

 

Royal Artillery again on this Morris-Commercial tractor with what looks to be the red / white "diamond" formation sign of 42nd (East Lancs) Division. The serial 5 indicates the field regiment allocated to the junior brigade, so presumably 53rd Field Regiment R.A. although I don't actually know when 51st Field Regt. were transferred out and how that may have affected seniority and markings.

 

Abandoned Light Dragon. Photo from epay

 

abandoned . Photo from epay
Keith

 

Rich, 51 Field left the Division on the 10 April 1940, the day before the Division left for France. It would appear from the photo that the other two field regiments retained their existing AoS numbers.

Derek

 

Thanks Derek. Did the division go to France with only two field regiments ? I don't really know much about them beyond a quick look in Bellis.

 

Fascinating images, Keith. Did they use a "D" series of serials for Dragons at one point ? Were they armour or tractors ? I wonder if 20 anti-tank regiment's diary mentions where it was abandoned ?

 

It appears that 51 Field wasn't replaced until July 1940 by 111 Field Rgt. 111 Field was formed in July 1939 by splitting 53 Field.

 

An interesting arm of service serial here. "42" with Corps bar. No formation sign visible. There look to be ammunition boxes under the tarpaulin and that would fit well with a Corps Ammunition Park Company although I can't see a diagonal colour split.

The image does also confirm the use of the Quad tractor to tow the 4.5" howitzer.

 

Ah, but WHICH Quad? I'd love a pic of the Guy Quad towing a 4.5 How! Other than in Singapore!
Chris

 

I squinted and squinted. I think that it does look like a Guy hub to be honest, but I'm not a betting man.

 

A rare vehicle here. The photo was captioned as "Nieuwpoort" by the 9th Panzer Division compiler of the now dismantled and sold on eBay album. However, a number of his other captions were clearly wrong. Centre is a Commer Beetle with Arm of service serial "47" with Corps bar above. I'm fairly sure that I can see a 2 Corps sign there too. If so, the Commer belonged to 1/7 Middlesex Regt. who were a machine gun battalion. The Bedford displays "24" which would have been a Divisional Ammunition Company.



The only other BEF Beetle photo that I have on file also has a 2 Corps sign. Perhaps also 1/7 Middx. which may have been the only BEF unit to use them. 2nd Battalion King's Royal Rifle Corps had them before the war, but they went into Calais without their transport.

 

Well spotted, agree the Commer Beetle is a real BEF rarity.
Here are two in 1938 with some Guy Ants in an original colour film of the 4th bn. Duke of Wellingtons.
Beetles and Ants !
Craig

 

The Commer Beetle a very rare truck, if I recall only 300 produced.

There is a survivor currently being restored...