On the road to Syria

[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.