The Seaforth Highlanders of Canada Museum and Archives has acquired a 1943 Canadian Ford made Universal Carrier Mk. I.
The lower hull, engine and tracks are there and she rolls when towed.
Sadly the armour (including the bit with the WD number) was removed to make it into a fire-fighting vehicle on a local island.
We obained it by donation from the son-in-law of the original owner and we are trying to trace any parts that were removed - especially the parts with the DND number painted on and the WD number stamped in. I am hoping that the islanders are like the prairie farmers in that removed parts tend to remain "on the farm". Some of my favourite related find many years ago on farms in Saskatchewan were with a farmer who USED to have a CMP (PJ; Blitz) 15 Cwt and a UN Mk. I*. Both vehicles were long gone (except in photos) but he still had the rare 15 Cwt spare tire bracket and tool box, bows and UC desert stowage racks! The later went to Brian Asbury in trade years ago. The CMP parts went to good homes too.
Main things we will be looking for this year are replacement armour (I much prefer to use salvaged armour rather than fabricate replicas) and some road wheels with good rubber.
Priorities:
1. Reserach remaining markings
2. Get engine running
3. Get vehicle ruolling inder its own power.
4. Rebuild armour
5. Acquire missing bins, brackets etc.
Long-term goal is restored for use in parades etc. Incidentally, 2010 is our regiment's centennial year.
Colin Stevens, CD, Captain (Ret.)
Curator
Seaforth Highlanders of Canada Museum and Archives