BEF Vehicle Arm of Service Markings (GHQ and others)

Are there any photos of abandoned Austin K2 Ambulances with the number 94 in the Dunkirk area? Many were abandoned near the Quay area according to the RASC 6th MAC War Diaries

 

I haven't got any. No.1 MAC appear from time to time. Are you sure about them having used K2s ? My impression from photos is that Morris-Commercials were more common in 1940 (either four- or six-wheeled versions).

 

I think as this was a newly formed unit and the ambulances were Austin mainly delivered in December 1939 that they were the new moel of Austin K2's. But the war diaries only say new Austin 4 wheeler Ambulances

 

Not a GHQ marking, but one of the interesting Royal Artillery tactical markings - The 'TLB' of B Troop Leader. The arm of service serial '4' indicates a Field Regt. in an infantry division. I'm not sure that I can see a formation sign - maybe a hint of a white triangle from 1st Division. If it is, then this would be from 19 Field Regt.

 

I would point out that the 4 on a light coloured circular plate is more likely to be a bridging plate than an AoS marking. 18pdr or 18/25 pdr in the field behind.
Chris

 

Chris, purely by chance, the Arm of Service serial is also '4' - on the square plate on the nearside. Although documented, it's quite unusual to see a bridging plate on a BEF vehicle. Certainly worth drawing attention to.

 

It has been interesting reading all the chat about BEF AOS - can anyone help me with an AOS query for late 1940
The BEF are back in blighty and the Country are expecting us to be invaded. In July Colonel Gubbins formed Auxiliary Units, the secret resistance organisation under Home Forces. GHQ Aux vehicles carried the AOS 490
Was 490 unique to Auxiliary Units? White letters on a red background on a white bar.

 

AOS 14 on the back 32 Army Field Regiment RA ? of a morris CDSW photo from my collection.
Keith

 

This is a picture of my Grandad who spoke VERY little about his time in the Army. I have spent many hours trawling through data but can not seem to find anything out. If anyone could help that would be amazing. I have his military number and service medal details but that is all.
Many thanks
Liz

 

What was his name and unit Liz ? always nice to id people on these photos .
It's a great photo ( see post 852, p43)
Craig

 

Bought a bargain shop Veloce book about 'Woodie' station wagons recently which had some very nice BEF Humber Station Wagon pictures in from IWM.

First one is captioned Officers of the Cheshire Regiment at Colonels Morning Conference , Douai. 1940 and the AOS 125 over white bar ties in well with Andrews book which indicates 7th battalion Cheshire Regiment ( perhaps someone can name the Colonel).

Second picture shows a badly damaged Humber Station Wagon with a Crossley IGL8 3 Ton 6X4 in background with AOS12 white bar over and 1st Corps spear indicating 5 Medium Regiment Royal Artillery. at first I thought it was captured but looking closely the motley crew are all Brits , perhaps the Humber was on the wrong side of the road.
Craig

 

Craig, do you think that the movement / embarkation serial on the wing is '0015' ? If so then the Humber belonged to the BEF Public Relations Staff which might explain why a photographer was present. They departed from London on 15th October 1939 with 19 vehicles and 2 motorcycles.

It looks to me as if the car is next to the right hand kerb..Perhaps a crossroads accident ? The chap in the background with the balaclava looks to be wearing a short, mounted pattern greatcoat which was common with the Royal Artillery in 1940/

 

Rich , looking at the book it is indeed 0015.
Wonder if the RA guys have just been passing or are they sizing it up for recovery ?
Craig

 

We can't see any other markings as they've ripped the wing off, but it ought to have had a '5' on black with GHQ bar under.

 

This Morris would appear to me to be a impressed Morris Commercial CS11/30 2ton that I have been looking for pictures of, would that be correct?

 

Looking back at post 508 I am certain this is a civilian model.

 

Two Morris quads and a Bedford MWD with AOS plates no.139 with GHQ white bar below appropiately for 139 Army Field Regiment Royal Artillery , also sporting bridge plates etc and strangely 3 Corps Figleaf symbol ( maybe transferred)
Craig

 

Morris Commercial 15cwt of 9 Bn. Durham Light Infantry, 152 Infantry Brigade, 50th Division.

This is the first 50th Division (Badge TT ) abandoned vehicle I have seen in 1940 Ebay photos, surprising as they were a motor division.

I bid on it but at £28 these prices are getting a bit too fruity for me !

Craig

 

I'm sure that there will be another one along at some point. It's an image that I've seen before.



Our perception of who had what in vehicle terms is very much coloured by what was abandoned where. We see in general, the same old locations time after time. German photographers majored on what was abandoned near the beaches and those units which withdrew later generally destroyed their vehicles out on the perimeter. Here's another 'TT' formation sign, next to the 1 Corps Troops Amn. Company Thornycroft.



We've also seen a carrier bearing the same distinctive signwritten '17' but with no visible formation sign. I wonder if this one ( RMY 9 from the rear view) was actually a 9 DLI Carrier ?

 

Hi Craig and Rich
The TT sign is interesting, but the Morris shown above is an 8cwt, not a 15 cwt. In BEF times, only the 8cwts had full windscreens, and. of course, the body is different.
Chris