On the road to Syria

[Mike K]

I found a pic of what appears to be the rear end of a CHEV. 1 Ton GS Van. The rear mudguards are longer than the similar 15 cwt. Version. The 15 cwt (model 13) has a 113.5" wheelbase, the 1Ton chassis (model 14) has a 123.75" wheelbase.

Detail of the canvas fittings: the only major modifications to the civilian truck were the fittings for the canvas tilt frame and the military directional bar tread tyres.

Update: the pic with the two guys, the vehicle is looking more like a car based utility.

[Mike K]

The GM-H issued parts book for the Chevrolet and Maple Leaf MCP Army vehicles they built - 1939/1940. It's interesting that GM-H refers to the vehicles as standard or commercial chassis, rather than using the army nomenclature i.e., GS Van.

The 123.75" wheelbase model, in Aust. Army terms, is the 1Ton G.S. Van . The contemporary North American civilian equivalent model, was the 3/4 Ton pickup, which unusually, had 15" wheels. But , in North America, there was also a special 'heavy duty' 3/4 Ton model listed, which had the 17" wheels fitted, it was also fitted with heavy duty rear springs. This 'special' model was the model (series 14) chosen for the basis of the Aust. Army 1Ton G.S.Van.

The book has a previous owners name inside the cover, it belonged to a soldier: Sgt. G.A. Brown V165580. He transferred to the AIF and became VX106727. I found his WW2 service records in the naa system. He had worked as a storeman at Ford Geelong. He served overseas at Morotai and Labuan, Borneo.

[Lang]

It would be good to get the second page of his service record. Meteoric rise to fame Private Recruit to Temporary Corporal to Sergeant in a few weeks.

I suppose he was a qualified storeman at Ford so perfect man to understand stores paperwork.

[Mike K]

Originally Posted by Lang

It would be good to get the second page of his service record. Meteoric rise to fame Private Recruit to Temporary Corporal to Sergeant in a few weeks.

I suppose he was a qualified storeman at Ford so perfect man to understand stores paperwork.

He was eventually promoted to W.O.2.

He was transferred numerous times and moved around. He sailed to Morotai on the vessel MV Duntroon.https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/MV_Duntroon