CAR COMPANY RASC Car companies were tailored to the needs of the headquarters that they served. A large proportion of the vehicles were staff cars but there were other vehicles as well. CAR COMPANIES HQ 21 Army Group Main Car Company. War Establishment XIV/1827/1. February 1945. HQ 21 Army Group Rear Car Company. War Establishment XIV/1846/1. February 1945. Public Relations Car Company. War Establishment XIV/1825/1. March 1945. GHQ Car Company (Special). War Establishment XIV/1849/1. April 1945. Headquarters 2nd Army Car Company. War Establishment XIV/1826/1. May 1944. Corps Car Company. War Establishment III/284/1. November 1943. HQ 21 ARMY GROUP MAIN CAR COMPANY War Establishment XIV/1827/1. February 1945. This superseded War Establishment VIII/714/1. This was a very large company of 450 personnel. It provided the transport needs of 21 Army Group Main Headquarters and Tactical Headquarters. War Establishment VIII/714/1 is not available from the Public Record Office. All Volume VIII tables are listed in the index as ‘not printed’. Company Headquarters Major 4 X Captain Subaltern Company Serjeant Major company quartermaster serjeant serjeant, clerk, technical, MT serjeant driver IC 2 X batman driver corporal clerk 3 X clerk 3 X corporal driver 9 X driver of vehicle 3 X motorcyclist water dutyman 2 X batman officers mess orderly 2 X sanitary dutyman storeman butchery dutyman orderly officers mess cook serjeant cook corporal cook 6 X cook 5 X motorcycle 1 X light utility 1 X car 4seater 4 X 4 1 X car 5cwt 4 X 4 2 X 15cwt 4 X 4 1 X 15cwt water 4 X 3ton 4 X 2 GS A Platoon Subaltern serjeant driver lance serjeant, administrative NCO clerk 7 X corporal driver 47 X driver of vehicle 13 X driver mechanic 2 X vehicle mechanic batman driver motorcyclist water dutyman sanitary dutyman corporal cook 2 X cook 8 X motorcycle 1 X light utility 4 X car 4 seater 4 X 2 1 X car 4 seater 4 X 2 (splinterproof) 4 X car 4 seater 4 X 4 1 X car 6 seater 4 X 2 12 X car 5cwt 4 X 4 including two fitted for wireless 2 X car 6 seater 4 X 2 special for C in C 9 X 15cwt 4 X 4 GS including two for vehicle mechanics 1 X 15cwt water 16 X 3ton 4 X 2 GS including ten for big top at Tac HQ 1 X 3ton map caravan for C in C 4 X 3ton 4 X 2 Office 3 X Caravan Class 1 5 X Caravan Class II 1 X armoured car, special 3 X 5cwt trailer 2 X 10cwt trailer 1 X water trailer B Platoon Subaltern serjeant driver lance serjeant, administrative NCO clerk 6 X corporal driver 49 X driver of vehicle 10 X driver mechanic vehicle mechanic batman driver motorcyclist sanitary dutyman 2 X motorcycle 1 X light utility 18 X car 4 seater 4 X 2 18 X car 6 seater 4 X 2 1 X car 6 seater, special for C in C 3 X 15cwt 4 X 4 GS 1 X 3ton 4 X 2 GS 3 X 3ton Caravan Class I 14 X 3ton Caravan Class II C Platoon Subaltern serjeant driver lance serjeant, administrative NCO clerk 6 X corporal driver 32 X driver of vehicle 12 X driver mechanic vehicle mechanic batman driver motorcyclist sanitary dutyman 2 X motorcycle 1 X light utility 25 X car 4 seater 4 X 4 26 X car 5cwt 4 X 4 1 X 3ton 4 X 2 GS 7 X 3 ton Caravan Class II D Platoon Subaltern serjeant driver lance serjeant, administrative NCO clerk 6 X corporal driver 28 X driver of vehicle 22 X driver mechanic vehicle mechanic batman driver motorcyclist sanitary dutyman 2 X motorcycle 4 X light utility 12 X 15cwt 4 X 4 GS 14 X 3ton 4 X 2 GS including two specially equipped for interrogation team 35 X 3ton 4 X 2 Office 1 X 3ton 4 X 4 TCV specially equipped for interrogation team 3 X 10cwt trailer 6 X water trailer E Platoon Subaltern serjeant driver lance serjeant, administrative NCO clerk 6 X corporal driver 9 X driver of vehicle 17 X driver mechanic vehicle mechanic batman driver motorcyclist sanitary dutyman 2 X motorcycle 1 X light utility 51 X car 5cwt 4 X 4 1 X 15cwt 4 X 4 GS 1 X 3ton 4 X 2 GS 1 X 3ton 4 X 4 continuous photo copier F (Workshop) platoon Subaltern Mechanist Serjeant Major 3 X mechanist staff serjeant lance serjeant, admin NCO 3 X blacksmith corporal clerk, technical MT 2 X clerk, technical MT 3 X carpenter and joiner 3 X coachpainter 3 X coppersmith and sheet metal worker 3 X coach trimmer 9 X electrician 3 X storeman, technical 3 X turner 34 X vehicle mechanic batman driver 8 X driver of vehicle 2 X motorcyclist water dutyman sanitary dutyman 2 X motorcycle 1 X light utility 3 X 15cwt 4 X 4 GS 1 X 15cwt water 4 X 3ton 4 X 2 GS 3 X 3ton 4 X 4 Workshop 3 X 3ton 4 X 4 Stores binned 1 X 3ton 4 X 4 Machinery I30 3 X 3ton 6 X 4 Breakdown The following will be added as required for the transport of distinguished visitors to 21 Army Group Headquarters corporal driver IC 6 X driver IC 6 X car 4 seater 4 X 2 HQ 21 ARMY GROUP REAR CAR COMPANY War Establishment XIV/1846/1. February 1945. Company Headquarters RASC Major 3 X Captain 2 X Subaltern Company Serjeant Major company quartermaster serjeant serjeant, clerk, technical, MT serjeant driver IC 3 X batman driver corporal clerk 2 X clerk corporal driver 5 X driver of vehicle 3 X motorcyclist 3 X water dutyman regimental police serjeant 5 X regimental police batman 2 X sanitary dutyman storeman butchery dutyman serjeant cook corporal cook 6 X cook ATS Junior Commander in charge of administration 2 X Subaltern Company Serjeant Major serjeant clerk administrative serjeant transport serjeant serjeant cook 2 X corporal clerk 4 X clerk 2 X officers mess cook 6 X cook 2 X hairdresser 4 X assistant cook 2 X corporal ic section corporal office detail 2 X office detail 2 X motorcycle 7 X driver IC 2 X medical orderly 3 X telephone orderly 5 X house orderly 9 X mess orderly 2 X office orderly corporal storewoman storewoman 6 X motorcycle 4 X light utility 1 X car 4seater 4 X 4 4 X 15cwt 4 X 4 1 X 15cwt water 6 X 3ton 4 X 4 GS 5 X water trailer A Platoon ATS Subaltern 2 X serjeant corporal, administrative NCO corporal clerk 5 X corporal driver ic section 39 X driver of vehicle 11 X relief driver 8 X driver mechanic vehicle mechanic 6 X motorcycle, including five driven by officers 2 X light utility driven by officers 6 X 15cwt 4 X 4 GS 18 X 3ton 4 X 4 GS 6 X 3ton 4 X 4 Personnel 2 X Ambulance 4 stretcher 10 X water trailer B Platoon ATS Subaltern 2 X serjeant corporal, administrative NCO corporal clerk 7 X corporal driver ic section 51 X driver of vehicle 20 X relief driver 7 X driver mechanic vehicle mechanic 1 X motorcycle 1 X light utility 46 X car 4 seater 4 X 2 Saloon 4 X Car 6 seater 4 X 2 C Platoon ATS Subaltern 2 X serjeant corporal, administrative NCO corporal clerk 7 X corporal driver ic section 51 X driver of vehicle 20 X relief driver 7 X driver mechanic vehicle mechanic 1 X motorcycle 1 X light utility 47 X car 4 seater 4 X 2 Saloon 3 X Car 6 seater 4 X 2 D Platoon Subaltern serjeant driver lance serjeant, administrative NCO clerk 5 X corporal driver 33 X driver of vehicle 8 X relief driver 5 X driver mechanic vehicle mechanic batman driver sanitary dutyman 1 X motorcycle 1 X light utility 28 X car 4 seater 4 X 4 5 X car 6 seater 4 X 2 E Platoon Subaltern serjeant driver lance serjeant, administrative NCO clerk 8 X corporal driver 13 X driver of vehicle 3 X relief driver 14 X driver mechanic vehicle mechanic batman driver sanitary dutyman 1 X motorcycle 2 X light utility 12 X car 5cwt 4 X 4 driven by officers 5 X 15cwt 4 X 4 GS 2 X 15cwt 4 X 4 with electric motor 10 X 3ton 4 X 2 Office 1 X 3ton 4 X 4 GS 2 X 3ton 4 X 4 Mobile Church 1 X 3ton 4 X 4 continuous photo copier 22 X Caravan Class II 3 X Hollerith semi trailer 1 X Tractor 4 X 4 1 X Field Kitchen Note: Hollerith machines were punched card computers which were used for rapidly collating data. Although introduced in the late 19th Century they had been further developed in the 1930’s and were widely used in commerce and government offices. F Platoon Subaltern serjeant driver lance serjeant, administrative NCO clerk 5 X corporal driver 30 X driver of vehicle 7 X relief driver 9 X driver mechanic vehicle mechanic batman driver sanitary dutyman 14 X motorcycle including thirteen driven by officers 7 X Car 5cwt 4 X 4 driven by officers 3 X Light Utility 3 X car 4 seater 4 X 4 25 X 15cwt 4 X 4 GS including two for chaplains G (Workshop) platoon Subaltern Mechanist Serjeant Major 3 X mechanist staff serjeant lance serjeant, admin NCO 3 X blacksmith corporal clerk, technical MT 2 X clerk, technical MT 3 X carpenter and joiner 3 X coachpainter 3 X coppersmith and sheet metal worker 3 X coach trimmer 9 X electrician 3 X storeman, technical 3 X turner 28 X vehicle mechanic batman driver 7 X driver of vehicle sanitary dutyman 1 X motorcycle 1 X light utility 4 X 15cwt 4 X 4 GS 1 X 3ton 4 X 4 GS 3 X 3ton 4 X 4 Workshop 3 X 3ton 4 X 4 Stores binned 3 X 3ton 4 X 4 Stores, technical 1 X 3ton 4 X 4 Machinery I30 3 X 3ton 6 X 4 Breakdown PUBLIC RELATIONS CAR COMPANY War Establishment XIV/1825/1. March 1945. Company Headquarters RASC Major Captain Subaltern Company Serjeant Major company quartermaster serjeant serjeant, clerk, technical, MT administrative corporal batman driver 2 X clerk 4 X driver of vehicle 2 X motorcyclist water dutyman batman 2 X sanitary dutyman storeman cook 3 X motorcycle 1 X car 4seater 4 X 4 2 X 15cwt 4 X 4 2 X 3ton 4 X 2 GS 1 X water trailer A Platoon Subaltern serjeant corporal, administrative NCO clerk 5 X corporal driver ic section 22 X driver of vehicle 10 X relief driver 5 X driver mechanic vehicle mechanic 14 X motorcyclist batman driver water dutyman 2 X cook 20 X motorcycle 6 X car 5cwt 4 X 4 16 X car 4 seater 4 X 4 3 X 15cwt 4 X 4 GS 3 X 3ton 4 X 2 GS 3 X 10cwt trailer 1 X water trailer B Platoon Subaltern serjeant corporal, administrative NCO clerk 4 X corporal driver ic section 33 X driver of vehicle 11 X relief driver 4 X driver mechanic vehicle mechanic 9 X motorcyclist batman driver water dutyman 2 X cook 14 X motorcycle 6 X car 5cwt 4 X 4 22 X car 4 seater 4 X 4 3 X 15cwt 4 X 4 GS 3 X 3ton 4 X 2 GS 4 X 10cwt trailer 1 X water trailer C Platoon Subaltern serjeant corporal, administrative NCO clerk 6 X corporal driver ic section 40 X driver of vehicle 13 X relief driver 6 X driver mechanic vehicle mechanic 7 X motorcyclist batman driver water dutyman 3 X cook 14 X motorcycle 37 X car 5cwt 4 X 4 1 X car 4 seater 4 X 4 5 X 15cwt 4 X 4 GS 3 X 3ton 4 X 2 GS 1 X 6ton 4 X 2 Plotter (for dark room) 22 X 10cwt trailer 1 X water trailer D (Workshop) platoon Subaltern Mechanist Serjeant Major 3 X mechanist staff serjeant lance serjeant, admin NCO 3 X blacksmith corporal clerk, technical MT 2 X clerk, technical MT 3 X carpenter and joiner 3 X coachpainter 3 X coppersmith and sheet metal worker 3 X coach trimmer 9 X electrician 3 X storeman, technical 3 X turner 34 X vehicle mechanic batman driver 8 X driver of vehicle 2 X motorcyclist water dutyman sanitary dutyman 2 X motorcycle 3 X 15cwt 4 X 4 GS 1 X 3ton 4 X 2 GS 2 X 3ton 4 X 4 Workshop 2 X 3ton 4 X 4 Technical Stores 2 X 3ton 4 X 4 Stores binned 2 X 3ton 6 X 4 Breakdown 1 X water trailer One car 5cwt 4 X 4 and one batman driver will be added for each observer officer. GHQ CAR COMPANY (SPECIAL) War Establishment XIV/1849/1. April 1945. Company Headquarters Major 3 X Captain Subaltern Company Serjeant Major company quartermaster serjeant serjeant, clerk, technical, MT serjeant driver IC serjeant, regimental police 2 X batman driver corporal clerk 3 X clerk 2 X corporal driver 7 X driver of vehicle 3 X motorcyclist water dutyman regimental police serjeant 5 X regimental police batman officers mess orderly orderly sanitary dutyman storeman butchery dutyman officers mess cook serjeant cook corporal cook 5 X cook 5 X motorcycle 2 X light utility 1 X car 4seater 4 X 4 2 X 15cwt 4 X 4 1 X 15cwt water 4 X 3ton 4 X 4 GS A Platoon Subaltern serjeant lance serjeant administrative NCO clerk 7 X corporal driver ic section 51 X driver of vehicle 13 X relief driver motorcyclist sanitary dutyman 7 X driver mechanic vehicle mechanic 2 X motorcycle 20 X Car 5cwt 4 X 4 1 X light utility 31 X Car 4 seater 4 X 2 Saloon 20 X 10cwt trailer B Platoon Subaltern serjeant lance serjeant administrative NCO clerk 5 X corporal driver ic section 41 X driver of vehicle 10 X relief driver motorcyclist sanitary dutyman 5 X driver mechanic vehicle mechanic 2 X motorcycle 35 X light utility 7 X 3ton 4 X 4 Personnel C Platoon Subaltern serjeant lance serjeant administrative NCO clerk 5 X corporal driver ic section 38 X driver of vehicle 10 X relief driver motorcyclist sanitary dutyman 5 X driver mechanic vehicle mechanic 4 X water dutyman 2 X motorcycle 1 X light utility 27 X 15cwt 4 X 4 GS 4 X 15cwt water 11 X 3ton 4 X 4 GS D (Workshop) platoon Captain Mechanist Serjeant Major 2 X mechanist staff serjeant lance serjeant, admin NCO 2 X blacksmith 2 X clerk, technical MT 2 X carpenter and joiner 2 X coachpainter 2 X coppersmith and sheet metal worker 2 X coach trimmer 6 X electrician 2 X storeman, technical 2 X turner 20 X vehicle mechanic batman driver 7 X driver of vehicle motorcyclist sanitary dutyman 2 X motorcycle 1 X light utility 2 X 15cwt 4 X 4 GS 3 X 3ton 4 X 4 GS 2 X 3ton 4 X 4 Workshop 2 X 3ton 4 X 4 Stores binned 2 X 3ton 6 X 4 Breakdown HEADQUARTERS 2nd ARMY CAR COMPANY War Establishment XIV/1826/1. May 1944. Company Headquarters Captain Subaltern Company Serjeant Major serjeant, clerk, technical, MT serjeant driver IC 2 X batman driver 2 X clerk 25 X relief driver 2 X driver IC water dutyman sanitary dutyman officers mess cook serjeants mess cook corporal cook 4 X cook 2 X motorcycle 1 X car 5cwt 4 X 4 1 X 3ton 4 X 2 GS A Platoon Subaltern serjeant clerk batman driver 6 X corporal driver 74 X driver of vehicle 6 X driver mechanic batman driver CMP Traffic Control 2 X motorcycle 18 X Car 5cwt 4 X 4 15 X light utility 32 X Car 4 seater 4 X 2 Saloon 4 X Car 4 seater 4 X 4 3 X 15cwt water 4 X 3ton 4 X 4 GS 1 X 3ton 4 X 4 Office 1 X water trailer 1 X 1ton trailer B Platoon Subaltern serjeant clerk 6 X corporal driver 50 X driver of vehicle 6 X driver mechanic 6 X motorcyclist RAOC 2 X motorcyclist CMP Traffic Control 21 X motorcycle 7 X 15cwt GS 2 X 15cwt water 36 X 3ton 4 X 4 Troop Carrier C (Workshop) platoon Captain Mechanist Serjeant Major mechanist staff serjeant corporal clerk clerk blacksmith clerk, technical MT carpenter and joiner coachpainter coppersmith and sheet metal worker coach trimmer 4 X electrician 2 X storeman, technical turner 12 X vehicle mechanic 2 X driver of vehicle 1 X motorcycle 1 X 15cwt 4 X 4 GS 1 X 3ton 4 X 2 GS 1 X 3ton 4 X 2 Workshop 1 X 3ton 4 X 2 Stores 1 X 3ton 4 X 2 Breakdown Note: The above 3ton lorries are listed as being 4 X 2. This was correct at the time the table was notified but most, if not all, RASC maintenance units were issued with 3ton 4 X 4 or 6 X 4, as for REME units, before going overseas. The 3ton 4 X 2 were Bedford OY. The following was added to the HQ 2 Army Car Company. TRANSPORT PLATOON for HQ 2 ARMY BASIC CONTROL INCREMENT. War Establishment XIV/1848/1. April 1945. Headquarters Subaltern serjeant clerk technical MT coach painter electrician corporal vehicle mechanic 3 X vehicle mechanic administrative corporal batman driver clerk 5 X driver of vehicle 2 X motorcyclist water dutyman 2 X cook 3 X motorcycle 20 X car 5cwt 4 X 4 9 X car 4 seater 4 X 4 2 X 15cwt 4 X 4 GS 1 X 15cwt water 7 X 3ton 4 X 4 GS (relief) Section 1, 2 and 3 each corporal driver mechanic 5 X driver of vehicle 6 X car 5cwt 4 X 4 Section 4 corporal driver mechanic 6 X driver of vehicle 7 X car 4 seater 4 X 4 Section 5 corporal driver mechanic 5 X driver of vehicle 6 X 3ton 4 X 4 GS CORPS CAR COMPANY War Establishment III/284/1. November 1943 Company Headquarters Captain Company Serjeant Major serjeant, clerk, technical, MT serjeant driver IC clerk, group C tradesman driver of vehicle 2 X motorcyclist 2 X Motorcycle 1 X Car 15cwt 4 X 4 1 X 3ton 4 X 2 GS lorry Workshop platoon Subaltern Mechanist Serjeant Major mechanist staff serjeant corporal clerk, technical, MT 3 X driver of vehicles blacksmith clerk, technical MT carpenter and joiner coachpainter coppersmith and sheet metal worker coach trimmer 3 X electrician turner 10 X vehicle mechanic 1 X Motorcycle 1 X 15cwt GS 1 X 3ton 4 X 2 GS 1 X 3ton 6 X 4 breakdown 1 X 3ton 4 X 2 Stores 1 X 3ton 6 X 4 workshop Notes: The workshop vehicles are capable of carrying all the equipment and personnel of the platoon. All personnel are capable of driving the vehicles but a particular driver must be responsible for the vehicle. In practice the 3ton 4 X 2 GS and Stores lorries were replaced by 3ton 4 X 4 lorries. The 3ton 6 X 4 workshop could also be a 3 ton 4 X 4 A Platoon Subaltern serjeant driver 4 X corporal driver 4 X lance corporal driver of vehicle 31 X driver of vehicle 3 X driver mechanic batman driver RE batman driver RS 2 X motorcycle 15 X car 5cwt 4 X 4 2 X 15cwt Office including one for mobile observing unit 12 X 3ton 4 X 4 GS 4 X 3ton 4 X 4 Troop Carrying Vehicle 3 X Scout Car B Platoon Subaltern serjeant driver 4 X corporal driver 4 X lance corporal driver of vehicle 35 X driver of vehicle 5 X driver mechanic 2 X driver operator RA 2 X motorcyclist RAOC 15 X motorcycle 18 X car 4 seater 4 X 2 4 X car 4 seater 4 X 4 4 X 15cwt GS 1 X 15cwt FFW 2 X 15cwt water 9 X 3ton 4 X 2 GS The following was added to and fully integrated with the Corps Car Company. TRANSPORT PLATOON for CORPS BASIC CONTROL INCREMENT. War Establishment XIV/1850/1. April 1945. Headquarters Subaltern serjeant electrician corporal vehicle mechanic 3 X vehicle mechanic administrative corporal batman driver clerk driver of vehicle 10 X relief driver 2 X motorcyclist 3 X motorcycle 1 X light utility 1 X 15cwt 4 X 4 GS 1 X 3ton 4 X 4 GS 1 X water trailer Section 1 corporal driver mechanic 9 X driver of vehicle 1 X car 5cwt 4 X 4 6 X light utility 1 X 15cwt GS 1 X 3ton 4 X 4 Troop Carrier Section 2 and 3 corporal driver mechanic 9 X driver of vehicle 1 X car 5cwt 4 X 4 6 X light utility 1 X 15cwt GS 1 X 3ton 4 X 4 GS Section 4 corporal driver mechanic 8 X driver of vehicle 5 X car 4 seater 4 X 2 saloon 2 X light utility 1 X 15cwt GS Section 5 corporal driver mechanic 8 X driver of vehicle 5 X car 4 seater 4 X 4 2 X light utility 1 X 15cwt GS