BEF Vehicle Arm of Service Markings (GHQ and others)

The uncatalogued artillery markings again. I can't make out the sign on the n/s rear. On the rear it states : 'English material on the (???) to Ypern' (Ieper / Ypres)

 

One more. number 8 and IC above the xxxx 1940.
Keith

 

Is that a C, or is it a 4 Div sign painted on a BEF white square?

Chris

 

Bedford ( ML? ) civilian model impressed by look of chrome , near Ostend if caption right, AOS number 171 with bar below ties in nicely with 1 Workshop MT company RASC.
I have a theory that the RASC had most of the impressed vehicles which leads me to another civilian impressed flatbed (possibly a Leyland Beaver) at St Nazaire showing a crude AOS 61 , which best bet among number of options in Andrews book would be 2 Line of Communications Motor Transport Company. I know no white bar
Craig

 

'Impressed' vehicles seem to generally carry 'RASC' census numbers but could probably have been issued to any of the second-line (Corps and above) units which were supplied by them. They would certainly have been the largest users.

I suspect that if we analyse the visible census numbers, most of them will be of the five-digit RASC type.

The Chilwell lists give the impression that the term 'Civilian Impressed' was an RASC term and that RAOC referred to 'Local Purchase' which perhaps implies that they generally used the practice only where central supply (of contract vehicles) was not possible.

I'm sure that we've seen other examples where a Corps / GHQ bar is absent from markings that must be from those series. It's certainly clear that the BEF markings weren't always completely 'by the book'.

 

Wonderfully clear 1st Corps Spear and AOS 53 with white bar above on a Morris ambulance . This translates appropiately to ' 1 Motor Ambulance Convoy RAMC ' in Andrews book , so maybe it is right ! :biggrin:

 

Two photos of an area of De Panne stuffed with British vehicles , the first picture has a line of high grade staff cars bearing a AOS number 1 on black which ties in nicely with Divisional HQ cars as listed in Andrews book. Supposition with the AOS 19 on the Bedford 15cwt would be one of the Brigade infantry battalions.
The second picture has a crude 48 with white bar above on a 15cwt which is from 2 Corps and is either 2 Bn Middlesex regiment MG or Section 1 Sup Personnel Coy probably the former.
Could all these vehicles be around 2 Corps HQ or GHQ ?
Craig

 

How I wish there were more 'end-on' pics of those Morris 30cwt six wheelers!

Chris

 

Why Chris ?

Craig

 

Hi Craig

Because I am currently making a model of a Morris CDF (already done the CD) andI would like to find authentic numbers (both military and civilian) to embellish it. I have no problem with formation signs and AoS numbers; it is the registration numbers that are hard to find. Actually, I am not even sure where the military registration was displayed - the cab side seems the most likely.

Chris

 

I see , talking of census numbers the Morris ambulance in post 906 above has them on a number plate type affair , which seems unusual .
Craig

 

Craig

You are quite right, but I agree it does seem unusual. It is usually the civilian registration that appears there (of course once the 12AB34 type census came in, that went there)

Chris

 

Nice clear picture of a civvy spec Austin K3 in Le Havre , aos number 32 and 51st Highland Division antlers translate nicely to Divisional Postal Unit.
Also has a number plate overpainted with ' MIKE' , the driver ?
Craig

 

Albion 4x2 drop side with AOS number 25 on black I think , haven't got Andrews book to hand.
Anyone know what the Lobster! signifies ?
Craig

 

There's a 25 on Black listed as 150 Field Ambulance, 50 Division, would they use such a vehicle? The only other 25's listed are some Divisional Petrol Coys with the RASC but those are on a Red and Green diagonal background.

I'd love to know what the Lobster is all about?

 

I believe that the seller of this one had it listed as 'Luftwaffe' and the man on the right seems to have a Luftwaffe eagle on his cap. I think these markings are complete German and the use of a number in similar format to the British AoS is purely coincidental.

 

My late dad was an MT Sgt in a TA infantry regiment. They had a number of impressed civvy trucks and I recall him saying that before the balloon went up they had an admin inspection. The drivers queried whether they should concentrate maintenance and "bull" on their newly issued vehicles or concentrate on the old civvy stuff. He told them being an ex regular and knowing the ways of the army to concentrate on the old impressed stuff. It turned out he was right; the new stuff was generally ignored and the gimlet eyes of the inspecting officers was on the old junk; which many of them were.

 

On the left an impressed civilian Morris Commercial truck from 3rd divison with AOS no. 2 , which translates to 15/19th Kings Royal Hussars. A rather humble vehicle for such an impressive sounding outfit !
The other Morris on its side shows 42 I think, which gives four options , RASC from either 1,2,3 Corps or 2 Docks Group RE.

 

Morris with EM on the mudguards and Mary. Whats EM stand for, photo dated 1939.Good bit of info on the back of the photo. Original from my collection.
Keith

 

No Arm of Service marking visible here but the Movement Serial 15030 is visible on the front mudguard.




'15030' was allocated to 4th Anti-aircraft Brigade Signals Section.The rear number plate or (missing) fuel tank would presumably have shown the '66' on vertical red / blue used by the brigade headquarters.

When they left for France on 29th March 1940 it was with 3 Officers, 56 O/Rs, 11 Vehicles and 9 motorcycles. War Diary for April / May is WO167/436.