Rustman

Well, but could be better if you were contributing to this thread. What's your scam? Matthew

Thanks everyone for the replies. You've cleared up my questions (for now). I'm a regular poster on that thread on MLU. But now that I have some new research it's time to go through it from the beginning again. Thanks for reminding me of it. Matthew

In my research into the mobile canteens produced by Ford for The Salvation Army, Red Cross and others I'm finding a variety of references to vehicles and as an American no clear understanding of what was made when? In 1940 and in 1943 Ford literature references "Thames Chassis" the 1940 references describes them as 25 cwt. The internet at large tells me that a "Thames 25 cwt" was designated by Ford as an E88W or Model 61 and only produced until 1939. The 7V looks visually similar to me, but I assume it is a larger/heavier chassis? The Internet tells me it's capacity is up to 5 tons, which would be a 100 cwt vehicle. So quite a bit larger it would seem. Thank you for any clarification you can offer. And because threads with pictures are always more popular here are a few of the canteens in from of Buckingham Palace spring of 1940. Matthew

Oh wow! Guess I can take that off my dream planner for 2023. I've never been and after seeing pictures recently was considering making the extra effort to come to the UK at that time of year next year specifically to attend. I"ll have to wait on that then. Matthew

REME 245, from my limited research it seems any sort of Welfare vehicles. Be they NAAFI, Red Cross, YMCA etc are extremely rare anywhere in the world. In Australia there is a Jeep that was used by Red Shield/Salvation Army and there's a CMP truck that has Australian Comforts Fund markings still visible on the door. But that is nearly it, globally. As for the suitable chassis/cab that is the direction we will likely go. As I'm in the US I was looking at either having to import something or "make do". But I've recently identified 3 distinct types of vehicles that were exported from the US to England in 1941 of which at least 15-20 saw service with The Salvation Army and others appear with Church Army, YMCA and other entities. I don't know how many total were exported. But they are distinctly US vehicles complete with "CAUTION LEFT HAND DRIVE" stenciled on the rear. Building my own based on one of these is probably my best option. As for the cap device. Good call. That's a current one I ordered through Salvationist Supplies. I have some older ones, but I need to get an older Soldiers one (blue) and not Officer's (gold) most period ones I come across are Officer's type. The cap is also one of the low quality reproductions and I'm not thrilled with it. The Battle Dress is original and patches on it are reproduction. Matthew

Ah yes, either OWWM (Old Woodworking Machines) or G503 I am in two different tool forums. You have found me out. Matthew

Hey that's a familiar looking photo. It was taken in front of the Red Shield center in Brussels. The building still stands today. Matthew

Hello all. Matthew here from the United States. I'm an MVPA member and co-owner of a military vehicle parts vendor that specializes in US "Ben Hur" G518 trailer parts. But that's not why I'm here. I'm also a reenactor and current day Salvationist. My wife and I reenact WW2 Salvation Army Red Shield Services with The Forces. As we began our research we learned that the British Salvation Army had both men and women in the combat theaters of WW2. As in modern life I work in/on mobile canteens for The Salvation Army my interests naturally leaned towards the historic examples. I have been trolling forums and visiting the archives of The Salvation Army in Toronto and in London on multiple occasions and am moving towards readying a series of articles for publication on the topic. There are four reenactors in the United States that portray US Salvation Army during WW2. There are three more who regularly do British Salvation Army (my wife, our friend Andrea and myself) and I occasionally portray Australian. When we set up at reenactments or air shows we serve fellow reenaactors and show/museum volunteers/staff coffee, tea, donuts and other snacks. We hope to one day do this from a mobile. Here's some pictures of us and of my research. Thanks Matthew