Provincial plates for MVs

[Colin Alford]

Here are the images mentioned above regarding postwar Quebec provincial plates.

[david moore]

Hi Colin
Attached are 4 photos originally from the daughter of Trooper Thorburn of the BC Regt. These were taken while they were in training in Welland ON in 1941. They were using the carriers of the South Alberta Regt.
All the plates have an F suffix as you noted.

[Darrell Zinck]

Hi Colin

Well I certainly must say thank you for the informative response. Your search of resources for pics definitely adds to the conversation.

I can add a little after searching through some old CDs of mine. No luck finding a provincial plate on a tank either.

I added a few pics below.

Pre-WW2, a tankette in London with a "C" suffix plate and the two Experimental Armoured Cars in Petawawa, each with a "C" suffix plate. The Radio truck is also similarly plated.

The trucks are in St John PQ pre-WW2 and one has an "F" suffix plate while the RCASC marked truck's plate is un-readable. It could have come from the other Sqn of the RCD, that was in Toronto at that time, for some concentration of Regt'l vehicles.

Finally, post-WW2, is a Deuce unloading from an RCAF C-119 in Gander, Nfld, Ex and date unkn. "GS" or "DS" prefix. The the other seems to be a Newfoundland plate. Unsure.

These do support your observations above.

As for tanks in NB after Camp Gagetown opened in 1956 and Camp Utopia closed in 1958, and the Armour School came in 1970, it wouldn't be a lot, but not just a few either. Militia Shermans and a Regiment(-) in Gagetown. 8th Canadian Hussars (Militia) records indicate that in 1952 there were x4 Shermans at Utopia and x5 at Camp Sussex. In 1957, the Regular Regiment of the 8CH was created in Camp Gagetown with Centurions , stayed until late 1959 and were replaced by the RCD.

I had also considered the possibility that the "Tank" plate was civilian, in relation to such vehicles as you mentioned, as well. I cannot confirm that either though. Some plate collectors I've spoken to at flea market etc venues thought it was a Commercial plate for civil vehicle types you mention but not all. Some of the others tended to not be aware of that type on an NB plate at all. As you found, there isn't much of a detailed history in NB vehicle plates use.

My example does look like it has been bolted onto to something at least once.

I'm hoping to meet up next week with a fellow who has a couple similar to mine. He was a black hat hereabouts back in the day too so maybe he can enlighten me a bit more.

Again, thanks for your efforts and the really applicable points you raise. Well done. I will keep looking at photo resources where I can and see what else I can come up with.

regards
Darrell

[Darrell Zinck]

and the other...

[Colin Alford]

David,

That is a very nice set of images of early Canadian Universal Carriers. I get a bit of a giggle out of the seat cushions placed on the left sponson bins and the convoy shot which seems to indicate that this group routinely sat that high-up in the vehicle. Nowadays the safety folk would lose their minds!

Darrell,

It appears that the “DS” on NB plates equals “Dominion Service”. Please see the paper packaging on this new set from 1972:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/33466323332...Kwx5N8uk90Q%3D

[Colin Alford]

Darrell,

I’m learning a lot regarding Ontario plates on military vehicles. Various sites seem to indicate that the “F” suffix plates started in ‘41, and one site claims they were in use until ‘68.

This site has various colour images of “F” plates: https://ericsplates.weebly.com/wanted.html

The following page has some excellent images of Vickers Mk VIb in 1941, and includes the quote:
“Nice photos of the Ontario F suffix plates on the military vehicles. They look to be the '41 base. I'm pretty sure that was the first year for the F suffix plates, and they were issued in '42 and '43, anually. Then in '45 they came out with permanent white on brown plates, which were used up to 1968. Since then the Dept of Defense has taken over registry of all military vehicles, with plates marked CANADA.”

Scroll close to the bottom of the page: https://wwiijeepparts.com/Archives/1...ensePlate.html

[Colin Alford]

Darrell,

I got excited when I found this video. While there is some Bobcat, and possibly Rat imagery (linked in appropriate MLU threads), and there is film of Centurions on the move in Gagetown during the ‘60s, the only provincial plates visible are from Ontario, and Quebec (there is one NB plate, but the numbers are not visible).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrNv0QOqPf8

[Darrell Zinck]

Hi David

Sorry, I missed your post. Thanks for that; those are some very nice photos. Very clear.

Hi Colin

I note in that eBay sale for the "DS" plates from NB that the prefix "I" is retained. Lends a bit of credence that the earlier "I" prefix was used in govm't service in NB perhaps?

That video is pretty cool. Something for every MLU-er there! Not only the Bobcat, the plates at 5:27 & 5:40 , but also those interesting fuel bladders at 7:00, the Mk1 Stalwart (24EK70) at 7:24 and the fine RCD shleppin' 20 pdr sabot at 10:51.

regards
Darrell