Ex-boy

Sadly I never had a camera at that time so have no pictures at all. It didn't seem to be worth having one then, but what memories they would evoke if I had had more sense. Steve

I was with the RCT LAD in Lisburn in 1972/3 and a chip van was an occasional visitor. I never worked on it myself but those who did hated getting underneath because it was dripping (no pun intended) with chip fat. I don't recall what make it was but I'm sure it was a different type than that shown here and also was painted white if memory serves correctly.

Just a reminiscence from the time, but it may interest/amuse you. I was with 11th Hussars LAD in Hohne in 1968 when the Warsaw Pact countries invaded Czechoslovakia. Having heard nothing about it beforehand, and being a Wednesday, we went to the airfield sports pitches for a game of football in the afternoon and wondered why the whole German army seemed to have mobilised. The entire time we were there, there was a constant stream of vehicles heading east. Why did the Germans react when the Brits took no notice? I never could understand why there was such a difference between the two allied armies and have never heard any explanation for it. Memories! Good luck with the museum. Steve.

Nosing is new to me too, but when I googled pyramid nosing it also showed one which is angled to go over the nose of a stair, which then made sense. As for the forum coming up trumps yet again, it really shows what a great community it is. I love this thread, so please, when the Thorny is finished, have a break and start on the next one. Good luck with your quest to get to Brighton. Steve.

Not entirely related to the subject in hand, but my father was a REME welder in 1944 and was then based in North Devon, where a lot of waterproofing trials were undertaken. He said very little about it apart from that he was involved in fabricating metalwork items for tanks for the beach landings. Steve.

Just done some googling to find out where WG may have been in 2000 and 2002. Unclear about the former, but in 2002 they deployed to Bosnia, so maybe your vehicle went with them. Steve.

Some of the other units that have held this vehicle are the vehicle depot at Ludgershall, just outside Tidworth, Hants which would have received it on its return from Cyprus. There it would have been inspected before going for major repairs or upgrade at the Army Base Repair Organisation (ABRO) workshop. Also issued (twice) to first battalion of the Welsh Guards (1WG). A few others I'm unsure of but someone can fill the gaps I'm sure. Steve.

Hi and welcome to the forum. I'm just an armchair enthusiast and don't have the pleasure of owning any MVs but there are endless people who will give you all the help you could ask for. My only comment is that you would probably be better putting the thread under the Motorcycle section, as you are more likely to get answers quicker there. best of luck, Steve.

I wondered about that, but the ground looks pretty dry and solid, especially on the side shown, where the weight is possibly concentrated. It does puzzle me. Steve

Why were all those bodies still on the truck whilst it was being manhandled though? Steve

Being no expert on water trailers I would guess they are not British. The lamp above the number plate looks to me more of a US type. Steve

Not sure I agree with your comment on CWGC records. My understanding is that all deaths in service, even many post-war are recorded and of course also have headstones where burials took place. Steve.

Hi Ted, I was a bit before you, as my MRS memories are from Arborfield, 1965/1967. I guess my memory was a bit hazy though, as Receiving instead of Reception appears to be the concensus.

With reference to what MRS stands for, I can only draw on my (army) background, but whilst in training we used to go to the medical reception station for most ailments and were referred to the local military hospital if more than first aid was rquired.

Could the weapons have been sub-calibre inserts, as used in more recent times, or had they not been invented at that stage?

Braced sheets of any kind?

Yes, it was the kite shape that made me think of a braced sheet of some kind, but most of the items wouldn't fly too well, methinks.

Are they braced sheets of canvas, for some nefarious purpose?

I wonder if the H Lavender was any relation to Ian? Too much of a coincidence surely?

That seems to back up my thoughts Richard, as several manufacturers made the items and all had their own company part numbers but ended up with the same NSN. Steve.

Just a thought, but if the padlock has a number stamped on it someone may even have a key to fit it. Certainly worth a look and if you post the number here if you find it I think there's a good chance of a result. Steve.

I can only add some comments from my experience with the Army Scaling and Cataloguing Authority, which combined the old Army Scaling Authority and Army Cataloguing Authority in late 1989 if memory serves. I was not directly involved in either of the processes mentioned but I know that the desk officers were all very experienced in recognising duplicated items and it was part of their jobs to ensure no item had two separate identities. They indeed had the time and put in the effort to stop it happening. That's not to say it was impossible, but it would have been unusual. Steve.

Whilst I agree that it is a waste, when such a lovely truck could have been ripe for restoration, it has to be recognised that there wouldn't be enough takers for all the old vehicles if they were offered up anyway. Also, at the risk of being called a heretic, I couldn't help admire the grab operator's skill with his machine. I imagine he's ripped many trucks apart in his time. Steve.

I'm ex-REME and knew one Craftsman who lost a finger whilst aligning a Stolly wheel station on an overhead crane in a workshop (4 Fd Wksp in Detmold, since you ask). Also a Cpl who jumped off the back of a Bedford RL and left his ring finger on the tailgate catch. I think one of the worst was a Tpr with RH in Tidworth who bridged the battery terminals with a spanner and his wedding ring and virtually burned through his finger. Very unpleasant. There are a lot of ways to lose fingers with military (or Ex-mil) vehicles, so please everyone be careful. Steve.

It looks as if the part the squaddy has his left hand on is fluted, so is it a drilling rig? Steve.