Morris PU: BEF Dunkirk? Unit, registration?

[Rich Payne]

Originally Posted by Ian McCallum

Hi Rich,

Many thanks. Had a quick attempt to get into the bundesarchiv photos without too much success. However of the 34 photos I did find for Calais 1940, one was of a WOC1. Unfortunately the angle and debris on the bonnet hide any serial number, but its definately a Ford this time.

Ian

Back in November 2009, Ian mentioned that it wasn't possible to read the bonnet serial number. Four years later, a view of the other side of the poor old WOC1 that did its bit in the barricades of Calais has come to light. The table on the bonnet is still in the same place.



The serial looks to be Z4128426 ? No signs of any other markings. It has become clear that there were a fair number of these in Calais.

[Rich Payne]

Another snippet shedding some light on the BEF usage of these 8cwts, but still no trace of Ian's...

From 12th (Eastern) Infantry Division, R.E. Vehicle Returns.



This shows that 262, 263 and 264 Field Companies each had two WOC1s on their establishment. They should have had five 8cwts and eight 15cwts on their strength but 12th were an under-equipped newly formed Territorial division sent for Lines of Communication duties (in effect, labour and training).

When they left Gravesend prior to sailing on 14th April 1940, each field company had only twelve vehicles and six motorcycles.



These vehicles would have carried the 12th Div white diamond. Unfortunately, as they arrived in France after 11th April when the last available BEF lists were made, there is no confirmation of the Arm of Service markings which they carried although they would have followed standard practice on a cobalt blue background. '7' , '8' and '9' would have been the serials expected.

All six were from contract V3615

262 Field Company RE :-
Z4128481 & Z4128456

263 Field Company RE :-
Z4128405 & Z4128284

264 Field Company RE :-
Z4128469 & Z4128442

[Ian McCallum]

Great find Rich. Thanks for sharing the photos and info on BEF WOC1's. Slowly, slowly the past gives up some of its secrets. Take it the Calais barricade Pic is yours?

[Rich Payne]

I thought that I'd spotted this one some time ago and posted it here, but apparently not. From the Alamy Archive.