Rustman Posted September 24, 2022 Share Posted September 24, 2022 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 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rootes75 Posted September 24, 2022 Share Posted September 24, 2022 Looking superb, well done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon_M Posted September 25, 2022 Share Posted September 25, 2022 Welcome here, seen you on the tools forum for years and never knew your background - interesting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rustman Posted September 25, 2022 Author Share Posted September 25, 2022 7 hours ago, Gordon_M said: Welcome here, seen you on the tools forum for years and never knew your background - interesting Ah yes, either OWWM (Old Woodworking Machines) or G503 I am in two different tool forums. You have found me out. Matthew Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon_M Posted September 25, 2022 Share Posted September 25, 2022 36 minutes ago, Rustman said: Ah yes, either OWWM (Old Woodworking Machines) You have found me out. Matthew I can't weld wood ... There are some similar interests / displays of Red Cross stuff, Clubmobiles and the like, which are worth seeing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
REME 245 Posted September 26, 2022 Share Posted September 26, 2022 (edited) There are very few original surviving NAAFI type vehicles so you may be better off making your own copy on a suitable chassis and cab. The most common surviving version over here on WW2 Austin chassis were converted post-war for Civil Defence purposes. We used to have a Salvationist in one of my reserve army units but his membership was frowned upon and eventually he left. You could do with a more period looking cap badge. Edited September 26, 2022 by REME 245 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rustman Posted September 26, 2022 Author Share Posted September 26, 2022 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trena79 Posted November 21, 2022 Share Posted November 21, 2022 (edited) hello everyone, how are you doing? Edited November 21, 2022 by Trena79 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rustman Posted November 22, 2022 Author Share Posted November 22, 2022 22 hours ago, Trena79 said: hello everyone, how are you doing? Well, but could be better if you were contributing to this thread. What's your scam? Matthew Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trena79 Posted November 22, 2022 Share Posted November 22, 2022 1 hour ago, Rustman said: Well, but could be better if you were contributing to this thread. What's your scam? Matthew That's rude enough Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.