Question Regarding Tank Turret Markings on 1st (Armoured) Battalion Coldstream Guards Tanks, WWII

Hello everyone,

I have a question regarding the 1st (Armoured) Battalion Coldstream Guards during WWII. On several photographs taken in Western Europe, including Eindhoven during Operation Market Garden (September 1944), the rear of the tank turrets shows number/letter combinations. After extensive research, I am fairly certain that the Coldstream Guards numbered their tank troops by squadron, similar to what the 2nd (Armoured) Battalion Irish Guards did.

Each of the No. 1 to No. 3 combat squadrons had four troops, with troop numbers repeating within each squadron (Troops No. 1 to No. 4 in each squadron). The turret markings were applied as follows: the full number for the Troop Leader, “A” for the Troop Sergeant, and “B” and “C” for the 3rd and 4th tanks.

For example, in No. 1 Troop:

• Troop Leader: 1
• Troop Sergeant: 1A
• 3rd tank: 1B
• 4th tank: 1C

Similarly, in No. 2 Troop:

• Troop Leader: 2
• Troop Sergeant: 2A
• 3rd tank: 2B
• 4th tank: 2C

This system is consistent with references I have found in the 1944 war diaries:

• “With the SOURDEVALLE – LE-BOULAY-HUBERT road as the Centre Line, on the right was No. 2 Company (Maj. EARDLEY-WILMOT) of 3rd Battalion IRISH GUARDS supported by No. 3 Troop (Lt. T.V. HERMON) and No. 4 Troop (Lt. P.N. PRATT) of No. 2 Squadron. These two Troops were commanded by Capt. H. CHISENHALE-MARSH accompanied by S.S.M. P. ROBERTSON.”
• “During the action No. 2 Squadron claimed 2 Panther tanks shot by No. 3 Troop’s 17 pdr (Sgt. SHIPLEY) and 2 anti-tank guns.”

However, on the attached photos, I notice markings that I cannot explain: 9A/B/C and 19A/B/C on the rear of the turrets.

Does anyone know the origin of the numbers 9 and 19? Assuming that the No. 1–No. 4 troop numbering was also used by No. 2 and No. 3 combat squadrons, I cannot account for a 9th or 19th Troop. Even if troop numbers continued sequentially across squadrons, a 19th Troop seems difficult to justify. My gut feeling is that these markings might be related to the HQ tanks of each combat squadron or the tanks of the RHQ, but I cannot substantiate this.

Thank you in advance for any insights you can provide.

Kind regards,
Barry Wonder