Welfare Vehicles

[jack neville]

Originally Posted by Matthew P

Thanks a bunch! Can you point me to a good source of information about Fordson and the 7V model? I found a questionable source online that claims they continued civilian production throughout the war (https://classiccars.fandom.com/wiki/Fordson_Thames_7V) But of course I have to doubt any site that has 'wiki" in it's name without also footnotes.

Matt

Is the 7V Chassis the same chassis used in the WOT trucks?

[Matthew P]

The book Red Shield in Action describes the trucks issued by the Canadian Forces to the Welfare agencies supporting them as 3-ton trucks. I had assumed they were 60cwt CMPs but until recently hadn't seen any pictures. Here's one from the Canadian edition of The War Cry a periodical produced by The Salvation Army. The issue this came from is the September 2, 1944 edition. In studying other issues I know there was a lag time of about a month. So this photo was probably taken in July. Unfortunately I do not have a higher resolution image.

Matt

[Richard Farrant]

Originally Posted by jack neville

Is the 7V Chassis the same chassis used in the WOT trucks?

Jack,
All I can tell you is that the short wheelbase 7V used by British Army as a tipper, has the same length wheelbase as a WOT8, which is the 30cwt 4x4. Not conclusive evidence to answer your question.

As a matter of interest, I believe the 7V chassis was adapted for the Loyd Carrier.

regards, Richard

[Matthew P]

I know these are a long time coming and apologies to those who have been waiting a year. But here are the first photos from The Salvation Army Canada & Bermuda Territory Archives. To fit these onto the forum I've focused on the vehicles. But can get the uncropped photo to those who ask. The first were taken in Canada. The third had no caption. But I suspect still in Canada as well. The 'Pick-up Van" looks to be a commercial Dodge Carryall/Suburban. The canteen being backed into the railcar; is that a Chevy MCP? The bottom photo I don't know, pre-war Ford?

Matt

[Matthew P]

These next two are captioned as being a Canadian Supervisor (Salvation Army Officer w/the Forces) working in England from an "improvised mobile canteen". Any ideas on the make of truck from the limited view in these photos?

Matt

[Eric R.]

I would take a shot and say, from the limited stuff I can see and the short height, that it possibly looks like a Morris-Commercial CS8 or C4.

[Richard Farrant]

Originally Posted by Eric R.

I would take a shot and say, from the limited stuff I can see and the short height, that it possibly looks like a Morris-Commercial CS8 or C4.

Hi Eric,
As it is not a full width tailboard, I do no think this is a British 15cwt (so not a Morris CS8 or C4). I can see what looks like two 'windows' in the side of the canopy and think it is a PU 8cwt, could be Morris or Humber, think they had a narrow tailgate, but cannot find a photo to prove the point at present.

Looking at Bart's Fighting Vehicles Directory, page 201 1st edition,. I reckon it is a Chevrolet C8 8cwt 4x2 Wireless with the second body type

[Alex van de Wetering]

Chevrolet C8 8cwt 4x2

I agree....A Ford F8 or Chevrolet C8 with a 1b1/1b2 body.

Lovely pictures Matt!

Alex