Just come across a reference to V.R.D. Hounslow and would like confirmation of what the initials stand for. Intuition tells me it's Vehicle Requisition Depot? Anyone confimr that? Also, I 've done a search on the forum for V.R.D. Hounslow and turned up a second reference to Wittenham Hall, Hounslow. Can anyone confirm that this where this unit was. Finally, off to do a search through TNA after I post this, but anyone got any info on V.R.D. Hounslow, war diaries / documentation etc.?
is this the item On completion of drawing the above vehicles you will proceed to 69 V.R.D., Wickenham Hall, Hounslow and collect for this unit the following: SER 1 7/to replace 2 Str. (Release No. MIC 396) SER 2 One 4 x 4 4 Str. (Release No. MIC 397) SER 3 Truck 15 Cwt GS 6 (Release No. MIC 398) SER 11 4 x 3 Ton 6 x 4 Stores lorry (Release No. MIC 400) You will check all 412 equipment and oil levels in engine, axles and gearboxes. On completion you will proceed to new location at Southend on Sea. Your convoy will not be taken through London. War Diary - 50 Coy RASC (General Transport) - DUKW
Thanks for that. Yeah, that's the one I saw earlier (mis-typed it as Wittenham Hall, doh). Turned up several entries on TNA for V.R.D.'s but none connected to Hounslow specifically, and most are numbered as per normal military nomenclature, i.e 8 V.R.D., without giving a precise location.
Might be worth a shout Local History and Archives | Local History and Archives | London Borough of Hounslow regards Clive
Hi, VRD = Vehicle Reserve Depot. I've been hoping to find records of their doings (issues/receipts etc) of the ones based in UK during 1944. Regards Tom
Hello Chaps, thanks for the replies, and especially to to Tom for the clarification on nomenclature. Can I assume that you've been through TNA already Tom? Are you aware of any of these depots undertaking modifications to vehicles? I have a reference to V.R.D. Hounslow as producing the Frames for the Bailey Pontoon lorries.
Couple of references to VRDs in the diary of 902 Coy RASC although its not clear if two of the entries are muddling the depot numbers perhaps? Can anyone interpret V.C.C Aldershot? 28/03/1940 12.00 4 tippers returned to V.C.C. Aldershot. This leaves us with none. 4 Heavy W.D Bedford Ambulances were collected from the No 1. V.R.D Feltham 13/03/1941 09.00 24 vehicles on detail. 12.00 Capt Burn inspected White City and Sudbury. I went to Stanmore & 1st A.A. Div School, Bushey. 16.00 23 new Chevrolets were collected in lieu of 23 morris?? Impressed vehicles returned to V.R.D Slough. They were allocated as follows: 4 to Sec 2; 4 to Sec 5;15 to Sec 3. They look a poor class of vehicle * three broke down on the way up. 01/09/1941 Major Fox to Slough, to No.2 V.R.D. Also to Black Park. Fairly light day for transport. 02/10/1941 C.O. and Major Fox to H.Q's 6th Division. Capt Burn to Division to arrange about A.T.S. Driving Course at Heston starting to-morrow. Then to White City to tell Lt. Mear to arrange to collect a Vauxhall Chassis from Shaw and Kilburn for instructional purposes on the A.T.S. Course. Major Fox obtained this through personal contact with Shaw and Kilburn. Capt Burn to Heston and then with Lt g Raham to No 4 V.R.D. Slough to take over two cars for instructional use at the A.T.S. Course.
