Jeep unit markings question

[Jon Skagfeld]

From what you've uncovered, I'd say you are correct about the unit sign being 25 Cdn Inf Bn Sig Sqn...Jun'51 thru to June'54. (Courtesy Barry Beldham)

I've read elsewhere that we Canadians used a lot of US vehicles, guns, equipment which could explain the white star.

Perhaps drawn from US war stocks and issued to Cdn units?

[David Dunlop]

I would have to agree with Jon. The vast majority of soft skin vehicles used by the Commonwealth Brigade in Korea were drawn from US stocks refurbished and shipped from stores in Japan I believe.

You might want to check carefully on the driver's side windscreen and hood for possible traces of a white maple leaf, surrounded by a laurel wreath.

David

[Ed Storey]

87 tactical sign was also used within the SWW overseas divisions and may well have been employed by the home defense divisions as well. Korean or NW Europe lineage would be nice, but don't dismiss the vehicle or even just the bumperette having been used in Canada. I would think that using the vehicle's military serial number to link it to a specific theatre would be a more definitive way to record its useage. Lets hope other parts of the vehicle reveal other markings that could provide leads to determining the vehicle's military service.

[Jason Ginn]

Ed, do you have any info on what other sigs units used serial 87? Home or abroad?
I competely understand what you are saying but I was hoping someone could open up other possibilities with refrences.

To cut to the chase if I'm going to suggest to the owner of this rig that we start aggressively sanding out all the paintwork looking for unit markings. I had better be able to justify the costs of repainting the truck. If the only option for sigs serial 87 falls into 25cib then I think I can make a case. If it was also a common home service serial not so much. This is really where I need the help.

I would be very surprised If a rebuilt MB would have been shipped back from Korea in 54. I did however find refrence to a number of former US MB's getting returned from Ft. Lewis to Canada prior to deployment overseas. Images show we were using the same serials in Washington as Korea. If I remember correct some of the docs at archives included serial or registration numbers for vehicle shipments. I think I sent copies to Eric but I'll have to check with him.

Thanks!

[Ed Storey]

It was also used by 3rd Division in NW Europe and could be used for Brigade Signals in Canada.

[Jason Ginn]

Originally Posted by Ed Storey

It was also used by 3rd Division in NW Europe and could be used for Brigade Signals in Canada.

Thanks Ed!

I will have a look at my sww markings list if I can find them for the period you mentioned. The online charts list only serial 40 for infantry division Sigs but the dates may be earlier than NWE.

Sorry to pick but when you refer to Brigade Signals in Canada would that be 2nd Brigade? As they were only formed in 1953 I would have thought MB jeeps would be firmly in militia or civvy hands by then. 3rd 4th and 5th all seem to be formed to late for this truck.

27 and 1st Brigades were in Germany during the more or less correct period but they would have received the new M38's from 51 and 52 aquisitions from what I recall.

Thanks again for your help!

J

[Ed Storey]

I am curious to hear what other markings turn up on the Jeep.

ED