Canadian Mutual Aid Programme: WW2 equipment supplied to NATO Allies

[Ed Storey]

I hope whoever restores that vehicle keeps the original markings rather than adding spurious ones as they are unique to a key period in European history.

[Grant Bowker]

The spare parts lists for many of the FWDs in Canadian service were individually printed and identified by serial number. I have several of them. If the serial of that vehicle is known, and if I have the manual, I can probably be persuaded to re-unite the truck and manual. If anyone knows the present owner, please forward this to them so they can contact me.

[rob love]

I wonder if that was repainted to the 50s colour before sending to France, or if that was the original late war colour of the truck. Amazing condition...one that perhaps should not be touched as Ed says.

[Alex van de Wetering]

Awesome find. Also nice to see an FWD still with the original body fitted!

Hopefully the owner will join MLU soon.

Alex

[Harry Moon]

20 years ago I knew of one in Washington state being sold for the big block chevy that was in it. lost track of it.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Mike Cecil:

The Canadian Mutual Aid program dates from 20 May 1943 when it became law in Canada (so well after the start of US Lend Lease). The Canadian Mutual Aid Board was then established to 'contribute, exchange, deliver, transfer title to or possession of or otherwise make available war supplies to any of the United Nations other than Canada.' The primary purpose was stated to be 'to enable those of the UN who are short on Canadian dollars to continue to draw supplies from Canada to meet their essential wartime needs.' (Paras 1&2, Canadian Mutual Aid: Procurement of Supplies from Canada, Aust Treasury circular No.1943/25, 16 October 1943.)

Colin McGregor Stevens:

55-256 is the 5,256th vehicle assigned a Department of National Defence (DND) number in Canada. The new numbering system started about January 1943 for Canadian Army vehicles, at 50,000. There was no “,” so they used a “-“ or a “.” Motorcycles and Royal Canadian Air Force vehicles were in different number series.

Canadian Army vehicles in World War II were assigned British War Department Census numbers when they were sent to the UK e.g. CM4212345.

[rob love]

55-256 is the 5,256th vehicle assigned a Department of National Defence (DND) number in Canada. The new numbering system started about January 1943 for Canadian Army vehicles, at 50,000. There was no “,” so they used a “-“ or a “.” Motorcycles and Royal Canadian Air Force vehicles were in different number series.

I am not so sure the above is quite true. I believe the numbers may have been assigned locally or regionally out of blocks given form higher formation as opposed to going to a National central registry to be assigned.

[Melvyn Bean]

Originally Posted by Grant Bowker

The spare parts lists for many of the FWDs in Canadian service were individually printed and identified by serial number. I have several of them. If the serial of that vehicle is known, and if I have the manual, I can probably be persuaded to re-unite the truck and manual. If anyone knows the present owner, please forward this to them so they can contact me.

Grant, I am in contact with the owner and he is trying to find the chassis number. Do you perhaps have a manual for either 61132 or 70718 by any chance too?
Kindest Regards, Mel

[Melvyn Bean]

Originally Posted by Grant Bowker

The spare parts lists for many of the FWDs in Canadian service were individually printed and identified by serial number. I have several of them. If the serial of that vehicle is known, and if I have the manual, I can probably be persuaded to re-unite the truck and manual. If anyone knows the present owner, please forward this to them so they can contact me.

Hello Grant,
The serial number of the truck above owned by Daniel Ferdinand (who will be joining the forum soon hopefully) is 64144. Do you perhaps have this book?
Kindest Regards, Mel

[Grant Bowker]

I will check all three once work gives me time to get at the books.

[Melvyn Bean]

Originally Posted by Grant Bowker

I will check all three once work gives me time to get at the books.

Thanks Grant, that’s greatly appreciated. Kindest Regards, Mel

[Melvyn Bean]

Here are some more pictures of the FWD, supplied by the owner Daniel Ferdinand.

[Melvyn Bean]

And some more. Supplied by the owner Daniel Ferdinand.