Hi Kevin, New to the forum and no idea of commenting etiquette. Sorry if I'm doing this the wrong way. Just getting into the WW2 histories of our family and was excited to see your list. Have a pic of my grandad in a Bedford QL L number looks like L5331335 other ref markings are 52, 9/7 and Y. From the history I know he went across on the 4th wave on DDay and was involved picking people up after the Battle of Arnham so imagine the pictures were taken as part of that time. Still awaiting a copy of his service record for a better idea of dates and location. Frustratingly despite your most excellent list here I can't find this particular vehicle. Do you have any hints for where I could search for this kind of information? Many thanks for all your excellent work. A really interesting document.
You are very much within the etiquette of commenting on this site. Also: Cracking pic! Welcome aboard. ~A
Hi, I would guess that the 52 would denote that the Bedford belonged to an armoured regiment. When you get your grandfather's service record it will at least confirm which regiment(s) he served with. Once you know the regiment and date you could get the regiments War Diary covering that period so see if the QL is mentioned, chances are slim but you never know. There are other members on here that can help with how and where to get a copy of the WD, someone may already have a copy. Bedford QL comes from contract V5196 for 2100 3 ton 4 x 4 trucks with census number range L5330820 to L5332919. Hope this is of some help. Cheers Kevin
Wow, thank you so much for the fast and helpful response! Will wait for the SR and take it from there. Thanks again! Jo
That 52 also could denote an Infantry Division's Bridging Platoon Royal Engineers if it was on a light blue square. See charts on this site. Infantry Division Vehicle Markings
Hi Jo, You mentioned a "Y" as one of the markings. I cannot see any on the photo you posted. Is it on another photo? If so, could you please post it too? Y over a dark brown square was the Formation Sign for 5th British Infantry Division. Michel
The lorry has no headlamp mask which suggests that the photo was taken after the cessation of hostilities. Mostly the case as British servicemen were pretty good at following the "no photography" rule. The jaunty angle of his G.S. cap is a little post-VE Day too. As Trackfrower has implied but not actually stated, the circular plate with two ciphers is a "Bridging Plate" which shows permitted Bridge crossing weight classifications. That is probably a name above the cab. Can you read it ?
Many thanks for all your hints and replies. Apologies, second photo didn't attach, it's another cab pic but shows little more detail with the exception of the Y marking on the front. Attached below.
That's definitely 5th Infantry Division who ended their war in Germany after being moved up from MEF, as Michel suggested and the Arm of Service serial "52" in an infantry division does indeed indicate a Bridging Platoon, Royal Engineers. The cap badge could certainly be R.E. 5 Div had a long war, having been in France in 1940 and then having their own "Cook's Tour" of much of the world. They began to release servicemen quite quickly and many from other units were transferred in as they took on the tasks of policing and rebuilding defeated Germany.
Jo, What Rich implies is that your grandad's belonging to 5 Div postwar is still compatible with his crossing with the 4th wave on D Day and picking up people after Arnhem, although 5 Div was still in the Med at those times: he must have been in another unit then. His service record should enlight us on this point.
Knowing nothing about 5 Div, I resorted to wiki who say the unit must be 18th Bridging Platoon, Royal Engineers. Unfortunately I could not find their War Diary at The National Archives.
Would a platoon have had the structure to keep a war diary ? The diary of C.R.E. (Commander, Royal Engineers) 5 Div might be the best place to look. Mike "Trux" confirms the establishment of a Bridging Platoon (33 men). Jo will need to scroll down a little for more detail. Field engineers
I can't thank you all enough for the information and pointers you've shared. Looks like my grandad would have been a driver mechanic in the platoon. Seriously. I'm astounded at your knowledge and generosity with your time. It's been so exciting to find out and can't wait to show my dad all that you've discovered. Charlie (the man in the photo) was a born engineer as is his son and great grandson (also Charlie after his great grandad). Thanks all again. I will report back on service records and anything else I discover. And this just one grandad of 4 so I'm sure I'll be pestering the forum again in the future! The kids are lucky enough to have Great Grandads in the Army, RAF, Royal Marines and the Navy. A lot of work ahead!
5th Division’s nickname was the Globe Trotters given the extent of its travels during the war, but, as Michel says, it was not in NW Europe for D-Day nor Arnhem. Roll on those service records, and welcome to the forum, by the way, you’ll receive loads of help here as you’re seeing already.
I don't have the serial numbers for my wartime truck so it was going to be fictional, now at least I can pick a number within a sequence that is correct for the lorry type. The information is great.
