1941 Fordson WOT 2H truck. After 10 years

[Mike Cecil]

Ian,

Well, B****r me! From the info you have provided, your WOT2H is not one of the 60 refugee cargo vehicles registered in the Aust Army (Commonwealth) system, but appears to be from another source, so likely a returning AIF unit. Hence one of a very small group. The 60 refugee cargo vehicles all had engine numbers in the 614XXXX and 615XXXX range, and the Brit WO registrations were prefix "V" for Van, and in 7XXXXXX range. I think a 'Z' reg prefix indicates a wireless vehicle in Brit terms: can a Brit help me out here, please?

The Unit sign you mention is '16' but you can't see the last figure yet, so I'm assuming you can see that there are three numbers. This is most likely to be '165' then, which was a Cavalry Regiment, so fits with the Formation sign of 1 Cav Div/1 Motor Div/3 Armd Div as the formation. The background colours were green over blue, horizontally divided - so will probably appear black-ish these days after weathering.

The B Squadron square and 14 Troop marking on the door are entirely consistent with an armoured or cavalry unit in both Brit and Aust armies, but being consistent with the other signage, are most likely of Australian origin.

Mike C

[Mike Cecil]

Ian,

I've just had a quick look at disposals data I have (very incomplete!) in an effort to try and locate your particular Brit reg. There are a few 'Z' prefix registrations in the right weight class disposed of in 1944, but none that match your Brit registration exactly.

Unless you can find evidence of an Australian registration on the bonnet sides, then I'd suggest your truck retained its Brit registration while in Aust Service.

Mike C

[Richard Farrant]

Originally Posted by Mike Cecil

I think a 'Z' reg prefix indicates a wireless vehicle in Brit terms: can a Brit help me out here, please?

Hi Mike,
Z was for trucks under 1 ton payload. Signals vehicles did not have a specific prefix.

regards, Richard