BEF Motorcycles - Formation Signs, Arm of Service Markings and Census Numbers.

This group of what appear to be BSA M20s carry the AoS '68' with Corps bar. This would indicate a corps provost.



The location between De Panne and Adinkerke might suggest 103 Provost Company of 2 Corps who are likely to have adopted the '68' serial in line with the other corps during the month prior to 10th May 1940.

It's difficult to be certain but the serials may be applied to a plate fixed to the number plate bracket. The image is not terribly clear, but despite a hefty bid, I failed to secure it.

 

One more that came in the post .
Keith

 

Thanks Keith. I can see four BSA M20s - two at least are the 1940 model year (September 1939-on production) WM20 models with the Lucas MT1130 tail light. It looks quite 'Dan Dare' but is actually a car sidelight with an extra window and a red glass.

There is a Norton there too (with the MT110 light and the 'ear' on the number plate).

Unfortunately, they have been too comprehensively burned for me to pick out any markings.

 

This detail from IWM H1841 shows troops from the K.O.S.B.s, part of 2nd BEF after returning to Southampton.

The saltire of 52nd Lowland Division has been painted more or less on the front upper flanks of the fuel tanks. On the number plate it is possible to pick out the movement serial '17468' which indicates that this is the 5th Battalion.

 

Triumph 3SW C63163 from 1939 contract C5108 displaying '25' on the offside fuel tank side - This indicates a Divisional Petrol Company R.A.S.C. but I can see no indication of which division - I'll have to hope that a photo of the other side turns up.

 

One more that came in the post
Keith

 

I had a look at that photo Keith and found it difficult to pick anything out apart from the advert for 'Bierres La Nationale' who were from Douai. The first bike is a V-twin and I think French and I can see a couple of Bernardet side-cars. I suspect some BSAs in the row behind the car.

 

is that a bikers meet in the tavern?

 

Close up.

 

Not the best quality image but this 1940 model year BSA WM20 appears to display the '48' over GHQ bar of 3 Searchlight Regiment, RA. The stated location of Calais fits in with that. The rear number plate bracket, no longer used for a registration number after September 1939 seems to have been the most common location for BEF motorcycle AoS markings which is a pity for those of us compelled to fit modern plates there.

 

This image is captioned on the reverse to the effect that it shows captured motorcycles at Ieper (Ypres). A number of interesting markings are visible. I've cropped the original down in order to preserve us much detail of the BEF motorcycles as possible.

'PME 754' is a 1939 Norton 16H that is quite unusual in retaining its pre-war style number plates front and rear. I can't pin down the small '40' sign. It doesn"t seem to be a BEF arm of service serial. Likewise the '155' on the fuel tank is a puzzle.

The '9' on the Norton next to it relates to a Field Company, R.E. but no formation sign visible.

To the left of the next row is a '5' on a clear horizontal RA background. It is not possible to tell which Field Regt. though.

'12' on the BSA indicates an Infantry Brigade HQ but again no divisional sign - The two-coloured design on the fuel tank might suggest a signals connection.

In front there is a serial '142' with GHQ bar indicating 69 Medium Regt. RA and next to it what looks to be a 'Y' and '21' which might indicate 2nd Royal Scots of 5th Division. Certainly an Ieper location fits in.



Machine on the right of the second row seems to be a 'Civilian Impressed' 'deLuxe' side-valve Triumph with tank-top instrument panel.

 

Photos from my photo book / Collection. Dunkirk the beach.
Keith

 

Poor old Beezer !

 

Give it a wash down and a bit of petrol and it will be a runner

 

Petrol and sand. Be OK for making a brew on

 

After all this time, a photo has turned up showing the scene from the opposite side and it is evident that the motorcycles of 51 Div Provost also displayed their arm of service serials on the rear number plates.

 

I've realised that I have some images of 51 Div Provost parading before they left Aldershot to join the BEF. They appeared in contemporary motorcycle publications. The style of the '31' on the number plates is consistent. It indicates that these later arrivals to the BEF (51 Div Provost has been at Cove, Hampshire and embarked 20/1/1940) had already applied their arm of service markings prior to departure.

 

Gday all,
I know tis is a longshot but has anyone come across any photos of a despatch riders bike from east riding yeomanry during dday +
With the word " Hull " painted on the fuel tank.
My grandfather was a dr with ERY from 39 to 45.
His diary is also posted on this website in docs section.
Cheers steve oz

 

Thanks to Keith for letting me have a good look at a further image of the 'beutesammelstelle" at De Panne. There are some clear views of a fair assortment of markings.
This area shows an M20 BSA bearing what must be the most badly painted 2 Corps sign ever ! Alongside it I think an Ariel as it also has the distinctive MT1130 rear lamp showing '37' with GHQ bar, indicating 1 LAA Regt. RA, and then a Norton 16H with the 1st Infantry Division sign.

In the middle, two further Ariels, one with the 2nd Infantry Division Crossed keys and the other '45' with GHQ bar from 73 AA Regt. In this case, the vertical colour change of the red / blue sign can be clearly seen.

 

An eBay imagel which sold for £115, presumably because of the German military content..As a WD motorcycle image, it is useful but not exceptional; It does though show the application of the WD Serial (census) number to the rear number plate. C3912331 was delivered mid-1939, prior to the outbreak of war but presumably by the time it was despatched from Chilwell, civilian registration numbers had been discontinued...It's the first time that I've seen this on a 1939 Norton, most used the location for arm of service or formation signs. Neither visible in this case, unfortunately.