Mk1* Carrier T No

[Paul Dutton]

Hi Lynn
Quick change of subject.
Out of the 111 MK1 Mortar Carriers sent th NZ, don’t suppose you have any T numbers available. My two came from NZ, be good to trace bit of history.
One is T84809 Mk1 3” Mortar
Cheers

[Lynn Eades]

One is Wolseley, T84089 and T83601 according to Brian Johns (owner before Mark)
Edit: Sounds like between Brian and Mark, someone decided to keep one or both?

Further edit: Both Wolseley, Both U.C. Mortar, No.1 (60h.p.)MkII (MkII Mortar)(not MkII U.C.) (my understanding)

[Tom Millward]

Hello gents & Happy New Year.

I've been under the impression that my Mar '42 Carrier was assigned the WD serial number T53664. See serial no below:
IMG_20180804_185814.jpg

However, I've just found the following images of a museum Carrier (in SA I think), which seems to disprove the number I'd assumed for mine. As this one is over a year later than mine but with T50193.

detailbilder-bren-gun-carrier-universal-carrier-mk-i-walkaround-306-0142.jpg
detailbilder-bren-gun-carrier-universal-carrier-mk-i-walkaround-306-0170.jpg

Does anyone have a Carrier of serial number similar to mine (5868) that I can work the T number for mine out from?

[David Herbert]

Hi Tom,
Surely that last photo showing the edge of the armour shows WD no. T50198 not 3 ?

David

[Michael R.]

Originally Posted by David Herbert

Hi Tom,
Surely that last photo showing the edge of the armour shows WD no. T50198 not 3 ?
David

Yes, a numeral “8”.

[Lynn Eades]

Tom, Here are pictures of your carrier T53664.
The first picture shows a cut carrier hull bearing that faded T number, with a proud younger Allan Watson. As it happens Allan came to my place to show me his photos about 2 to 3 years ago. I contacted his wife who told me that Allan had died about 18 months ago from cancer. Mrs Watson wasn't able to give me much detail, but was happy to let me photograph her photos.
The Lady and gentleman so dressed were Lady Blundell and the Governor General of New Zealand, Sir Denis Blundell. Sir Denis Blundell served as Governor General from 1972 until 1977.
As you can see the left side hull upper plate was replaced with a plate from the lower hull from another carrier. This shows the rivet holes and rust line along the floor junction angle iron. You can also see the slot that the rear bogie frame mounts through.
So to your hull number etc.

I have recorded a few lower hull numbers.
They are:
4198
4200
4282 (mine) (I will probably use T 53043 as I have used the floor from it and
have the piece of the left side plate bearing that number)
4291
4294
4935. (yours)
I can tie one lower hull number to a "T" number. 4291 belongs with T 53043
However 4294 belongs to T 53666 (a 620 jump forward) Block of numbers used elsewhere?
As it happens T 53666 also has its upper number which is CB 4201.
I cannot explain why your "T" number is 2 lower and jumps up dramatically on both upper and lower numbers (around 600 on both) Has your drivers front plate been changed?

On the pressed serial plate, can someone show me by photograph where exactly that plate is located. I have never seen one of those plates in N.Z. and question that they were ever fitted to the carriers that came to N.Z. In saying that I have not seen a plate on the front guard either.

Are there any other surviving carriers from contract WSL-72.2 (T 51965 to T 55364) This being the contract that the Kiwi Canadian carriers came from.
Anybody have any ideas?

[Tom Millward]

Wow, that's fantastic, thank you Lynn for all the hard work. It's great to see some original pictures, including the size and position of the T Number. Mr Watson certainly had to put a lot of work into her. I'm sorry to hear that he is no longer with us. I can now put his picture with all the others I have taken in pride of place at the start if its restoration journey.

There is some evidence of welding around the front plate. I had assumed that a section had been cut out to improve visibility for post war use, and the original piece welded back in, but it could be that the whole plate has come from a second Carrier and would explain the confusion around numbers.

I'm assuming then that ours came from a contract that was supplied direct from Canada to NZ?