Time to pick up this thread again with some info from Motor Transport magazine.
February 15, 1941
Ministry of Food to Operate Fleet of 150 Emergency Vans
"Flying Squads" for Towns in need of Assistance
Over 150 new vehicles have been acquired by the Ministry of Food. This fleet is largely comprised of 30 cwt Guys and 2-3 ton Bedfords, and it is to be divided into 18 "flying squads" of eight vehicles each, which will be available for carrying food and drink to bombed towns. All the vehicles are owned by and will be operated by the Ministry of Food. Each convoy consists of a water tanker of 300 to 350 gallons capacity; two lorries, each containing approximately 6,000 emergency meals; two kitchen lorries, which will be used for the cooking of food; and three canteens, from which much of the food will actually be served. In addition, each squad will have attached to it five motor cycles for despatch carrying.
No trailer canteens will be used, as the function of the squads will be to take food where it is needed as quickly as possible. Each complete convoy has cost between £4,000 and £5,000, and bodies for the various vehicles have been made by Spurling Motor Bodies Ltd., Strachens (Successors) Ltd., Cunard Commercial Bodybuilding Co., and G Orton, Son and Spooner. The major portion of the cost is being borne by voluntary contributions from Empire countries and America, while the Queen has presented eight of the mobile canteens.
The convoys will be stationed in various parts of the country and will be manned by volunteer drivers, although the local Regional Food Officers will have powers to appoint fully paid drivers if necessary.
March 29, 1941
April 12, 1941
April 26, 1941
July 5, 1941
February 14, 1942