British Empire Staff Cars

[lynx42]

Here is my 1940 Chev. I found it in a hayshed in Western Victoria. Enquiries through the Australian War Memorial in Canberra prove that it was General Stanley Savige's Staff car throughout the Middle East, 1940/41. Gen.Savige was the OC of the 17th Brigade, 6th Australian Division. The car arrives back in OZ in April 1942 on the S.S.Somerville and then was used on the North/South road between Alice Springs and Darwin. It was sold to a Mr.Williams of Ararat Vic in 1945, who owned it until 1971 and then sold it to John Woodburn of Dunkeld. I found it in 1993 and purchased it for the grand sum of $2.00. (yes, the decimal point is in the right place). It is now painted in the Syrian Campaign colours 1941 when the 17th Brigade were fighting the Vichy French.

[Mike K]

Originally Posted by lynx42

Here is my 1940 Chev. I found it in a hayshed in Western Victoria. Enquiries through the Australian War Memorial in Canberra prove that it was General Stanley Savige's Staff car throughout the Middle East, 1940/41. Gen.Savige was the OC of the 17th Brigade, 6th Australian Division. The car arrives back in OZ in April 1942 on the S.S.Somerville and then was used on the North/South road between Alice Springs and Darwin. It was sold to a Mr.Williams of Ararat Vic in 1945, who owned it until 1971 and then sold it to John Woodburn of Dunkeld. I found it in 1993 and purchased it for the grand sum of $2.00. (yes, the decimal point is in the right place). It is now painted in the Syrian Campaign colours 1941 when the 17th Brigade were fighting the Vichy French.

Rick

That Chev of yours would have to be the ultimate shed find .. it rivals or eclipses the 42 Ford sedan shed find of Bert Barker . Amazing that you fathomed out its history .

Back in the early 1980's , a VMVC member up Ballarat way , found a complete and original 1941 15cwt Morris Commercial CS8 in a shed , the original canvas was still sitting in the back of it . It was made driveable and it appeared at the 1985 Ballarat airshow we attended as a club event . It wasn't restored , just cleaned up slightly .The Ballarat member decided to sell it , it was advertised it in the VMVC newsletter for a very good price ( around 1986 ?) Why didn't I buy it .... It's now up at the Moama museum.

It was one of those once in a lifetime chances .Too slow or hesitate and it's gone .

Mike

[Keith Webb]

Originally Posted by lynx42

Here is my 1940 Chev. I found it in a hayshed in Western Victoria. Enquiries through the Australian War Memorial in Canberra prove that it was General Stanley Savige's Staff car throughout the Middle East, 1940/41. Gen.Savige was the OC of the 17th Brigade, 6th Australian Division. The car arrives back in OZ in April 1942 on the S.S.Somerville and then was used on the North/South road between Alice Springs and Darwin. It was sold to a Mr.Williams of Ararat Vic in 1945, who owned it until 1971 and then sold it to John Woodburn of Dunkeld. I found it in 1993 and purchased it for the grand sum of $2.00. (yes, the decimal point is in the right place). It is now painted in the Syrian Campaign colours 1941 when the 17th Brigade were fighting the Vichy French.

And you can see it in action on the Corowa 07 Year of the cycle and staff car DVD along with an interview with Rick.

[Keith Brooker]

Does any one have a rear photo of a Humber Staff Car?
I did find some 900 x 13 tyres, 2nd hand, but good, off Millweb. bought the last 4 he had. its worth looking on that web site.

[servicepub (RIP)]

I copied these photos from the Canadian Forces Communications and Electronics Museum (formerly Royal Canadian Corps of Signals). Can I get an ID please. I believe that they were taken in 1938. The motorcycles are BSAs.
The markings on the vehicles are "RCS 10x"



This was taken on the same occasion as above.


No information on this other than a date (1938) on the back of the photo.

[cliff]

the bottom photo is of a 1936 Ford.

[Bill Miller]

Can any of you positively ID this car. I am not sure, but from unit War diaries and similar looking (but not exact) vehicles I was able to "google" up I think it is a 1940? French Ford. However, I am sure someone here can say for sure. Thanks,

Bill.

[lynx42]

Sorry Cliff, For once you're wrong. The Ford in the bottom photo is definately a 1935 not a 1935 model. Different grill, wire wheels and I used to own one. (A Delux 4 door touring sedan.)
Regards Rick