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Thanks Richard - yes the information came from the RLC Museum - they were very apologetic there was not more to be found - but it's a start. I will try to identify where further information may be available in Australia, but I dont hold out much hope! Geoff Prescott

Well I have finally found out a little more about the Q4. It had the Army Registration Number 34 BP 91, which is chassis 38A5391 'Truck, Cargo, GS, 3 ton, 4X4, Commer Q4' It entered service on 20 June 1955 on receipt TWN/252/61 - TWN indicating Vehicle Depot 75 Turweston. It was 'struck off' on 2 September 1955, along with two others - 34 BP 90 and 34 BP 94. The reason for the early disposal is not known but it is likely all three vehicles made their way to Australia shortly after. So much for the first three months of its life, now to find our what happened to it during the next 30 years !! (does anyone know where in Australia these records might be available??) Geoff

Thanks for the offer Bob, but I have a workshop manual - it is marked as Publication No 591, issued in Dec 1954 by Commer Cars Ltd. - you're right, the level of detail is excellent. Geoff

No other marks or numbers. I will also try my luck with the RLC Museum Geoff

Well I finally managed to get to the Commer today and you were right Richard - the ID plates I have been referring to are not from the truck, and the 'real' one is still there - located near the spare wheel carrier. I also found the chassis number etched into the metal of the chassis and it agrees with the ID plate, so it is genuine. Chassis No is 38A5391, Contract No is 6/VEH/16133 so hopefully it is genuine military? thanks Geoff

Richard Yes- found him. Howard Pettigrew Commer Connections. I'll send him a note thanks again Geoff

Thanks Richard I'll go and climb all over it - see what I can find. I am also attempting to contact the museum to see if they recall anything of the history of the ID plates Geoff

Thanks guys - good to hear from you Geoff

Here is photo - thanks Geoff

Hi Richard The parts list has no reference to an army contract - simply headed '3 - ton four wheel drive cross country model' I have started an album 'Q4 id plates' and added a photo - but have not worked out how to put it in the post yet. The MoS plate shows the chassis no in the top left corner but unfortunately the contract no has been obliterated. I'm beginning to wonder if it is even a genuine plate! thanks Geoff

Thanks Richard Yes mine is definitely the post war version - 4x4, 4.7L 6 cyl ohv. In fact I think this is why the museum lost interest it it - not ww2. The location of the ID plate certainly helps - my parts book (468A - commencing chassis 38A3501) indicates that the chassis number is stamped on the LH chassis rail near the rear spring front bracket - but I could not find any evidence of it there. I will check near the spare wheel carrier. Two further questions if I may - if it had been in action at the bomb tests, would it have been covered by an Army contract, and secondly would the army contract chassis number necessarily be the same at the factory chassis number? many thanks again Geoff

Hello Richard - thanks for your reply. The smaller plate definitely carries the 35 prefix. Unfortunately the plates were not attached to the vehicle so I will need to check the engine bay for telltale holes. The fellow I purchased it from said he was a member of the South Australian Military vehicle Society, and in fact I have found a receipt indicating he purchased it from the SA Military Vehicles Museum in 2002, so it is probably the one you saw. It has what is left of a red colour scheme, but shows evidence of both sand and green paint underneath. He obtained it as a cab chassis and subsequently located a GS body which I now have. Can you recall what body it had in the museum? It also has the turret hole in the roof above the passenger seat. It is currently located 45 minutes away by car so if it is ok I will have to get back to you about the plate locations. (I hope it is genuine military and not just painted up by the museum!) many thanks Geoff (PS if I can work out how to load photos I will post some shots of the id plates if that would help)

G'day to all. My name is Geoff Prescott and I am new to the world of military vehicles! I am semi retired but still getting around on a small motor bike as a postie after years of working in an office! I am interested in vehicles of the Rootes Group and have restored a couple of Hillmans, I am also the Secretary of the Hillman Owners Club here in Sydney. The Club also includes preservation of Commers, and I have managed to find a Q4 here in Australia after many years of searching. I have many questions to ask the forum (the first of which I have already posted - but in the wrong place I think, my apologies) and I hope I can supply information in return if my expertise is sufficient. I look forward to discussions with you .... Geoff

G’day, my name is Geoff Prescott and I am the Secretary of the Hillman Owners Club here in Australia. The Club seeks to preserve the Hillman cars and Commer trucks manufactured by the Rootes Group. I am semi retired and now have time to indulge in my hobbies! I have restored two Hillmans and have a total of four in roadworthy condition (I know, sad case!). However the purpose of my email is that I have just become the owner of a Commer Q4 3 ton four wheel drive lorry, which is a rare beast in Australia. Reportedly this one was built in 1952 and spent some time in the British Army and in the Middle East before coming to Australia to spend time with the Australian Government at the Woomera range in South Australia. I was wondering if I could ask a favour concerning its chassis number and possible history? My problem is that I have two ID plates which came with the vehicle, bearing two different chassis numbers. One is square and is what I believe to be the standard id plate attached to all Commers. This one bears a chassis number of 31A1816 and a 'type' S25, although I am not sure this is relevant to my vehicle. The other is a rectangular plate and is headed "MINISTRY OF SUPPLY TRUCK 3 TON 4X4 GS" It carries a chassis number 38A3569. I understand this number sequence is correct for the vehicle, according to a Rootes publication (no 468A) parts list for the type. I am hoping this is the chassis number for my truck, or at least one very similar to it. I was wondering if anyone could shed any light on this, any help would be most appreciated. many thanks