WWII Aussie tank names
 

Hi All,

I'm seeking any info anyone can share about names painted on any tanks, particularly, but not limited to, Stuarts and Grants that were operated here in Australia during WW2.

I've heard of two Grants in Western Australia both named LINK, and in a book on M3 Medium Tanks I've seen a picture of a tank marked as LINK, captioned as having been photographed in the UK during WWII. I've been told that each squadron may have repeated the same naming convention and wonder if it ties to British doctrine?

I've also been told that a Grant side door found here in WA had the name NED KELLY painted on it, and that a wartime photograph has been sighted of a WA based Grant of that name. This makes me wonder if it was normal or unusual for a name to be painted onto a door rather than somewhere on the hull?

The War Museum here in Boulder has a pretty original Stuart with a mostly worn away name on each side of the turret that appears to be VENDETTA.

Thanks for any help.

Regards

Alex
-----
Grant, Val, Ferret, WM20, CMP's

The standed practice in Australia for armoured, was from 1975 onwards to paint a name on the side. It had to start with the A if in A Sqn or B for B Sqn. This I believe is also standed practice in the UK.
http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/k.../th_60-561.jpg
BEWILDCARD B Sqn
This photo is from the First Armoured Regimental Association Collection and is in the 1950s, so the practice as above was standard also back then.

I doubt the word LINK was the name of the tank. Vehicles shipped from the US usually had LINK 1of2 or similar in large black lettering on the hull sides. I suspect this is what has been seen.

Stuart named 'Aussie'
 

My Stuart M3 had the name AUSSIE painted on both sides of the turret which I am assured was an original wartime feature.

Cheers

Phill

bewildcard???
 

Shakey mate,

I think that should be "BEWILDERED", apparently as some may be here, lmao
:yappy:

I am aware of a couple of tanks belonging to a member of this forum (Vickers). One named "BOWERBIRD", the other "EMU", they are both pre WW2 so it would seem this predates 1975 somewhat, also Salesman Bob's former charge, an LP4 armoured car built in the late 30's was officially named "BANDICOOT" and it's sister "PORCUPINE", both of these and the remainder of the units in the series were all officially named.

Therefore it would make sense that other things like Stuart's and Grant's had names too.

Pedr

AWM photos again
 

Here are 3 grants with names - Victory, Hercules and link. You will note that the tank with the name LINK is in fact painted above the ARN in white so I believe it to be a genuine name.

2 Matildas: BULLECOURT and BULL TERRIER:

Well my stuart was called NEPAL but I believe it belonged to a recon troop of the 2nd7th so they some times did things different.

Phil...

Aussie Tank names
 

Hi there

Have a good look at the Matilda & Grant pics in the AWM Collection - lots of names there for you...

Ref 'LINK'...it used to be that each Squadron had a 'Link Tank'. These were commanded by the so-called Squadron Second Captian. His job was to maintain Sqn comms with RHQ. Likewise, the Regt 2i/c kept comms open with Brigade HQ.

Hope this helps

Roddy de Normann

Another LINK on M3 Stuart
 

Attached is a tracing off my Stuarts sponson before sandblasting. Both US and Brit/Aussi markings. Always wondered about the small lettering "LINK" - The US number was painted on the tank.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9...D550/ry%3D400/

Hi there Des!

By the difference in our USA "W" and "T" numbers mine must of been delivered to UK/Aust or atleast accepted into service before yours...

Phil...

Stuart III T.38653
 

Hi there

Ref your Stuart III T-38653, I have it listed as follows:

T. 38653
Stuart Lt Tk Mk III
Contract S/M.1014

Royal New Zealand Armoured Corps

Date u/k - Veh noted at MT Wksp, Trenthan MC, New Zealand - Info fm Geoff Plowman Archive via Peter Brown

Do you have any other info ref the veh ?

Roddy de Normann

I would not click on that photo! When I did I got a pop-up saying

Warning!!! Your personal computer needs to install antivirus software! Antivir can perform fast and free virus and malicious software scan of your computer .

Click "OK" to that and you will have installed some nice spyware probably.

Use Control, Alt. Delete to close the window and then reopen your browser.

Hi there Roddy!
Well thanks for that... it must of got transfered from NZ to Australia as the markings on it are for an Australian unit and it served over in Western Australia.

Phil...