Ward LE France

[SPTA team]

Guys did the British use the WLF, I am trying to create a classic Military vehicle page to run with my Modern Military page on the Plain Military forum. I am useing all the pictures from this years and last years Plain invasion events plus various other shows. Jeeps and Jimmy I am sure were used but not sure about the WLFs.

TIA

Tony

[Tony B]

Oh yes, three were landed by Force 135 on the 9th May 1945 as part of the Liberation of the channel Islands. there are many pictures of them removing ordnance from gun positions. One remained in the States of Jersey service till about 1969.

[SPTA team]

Many thanks for that Tony. I can now add them to my classic British Military page.

Tony

[Tony B]

Evidence

[N.O.S.]

Tony,

 

Also the Ward laFrance Model 1000 Series 3 (closed cab) was built in 1942 (365 units) solely for Lend-Lease Nations (all went to Great Britain).

 

Tony

[Tony B]

The one in Jersey, has a hard cab but no doors. Is that the type you mean? I think that the Sates put a cab with doors on it at one stage but it has been taken off when Sam Pallot got it. There is a photo of one with the crew, but do you think I can find it? The EP pictures show a roof, but I've never really studied it. They appear to be just a cover over the cab area, no doors but I can't tell if thay are canvas or metal.

Edited July 6, 2008 by Tony B

[N.O.S.]

Curved front wings = Series 3, angular front wings = M1A1 series 5 (soft top). TTM will advise, but I think the Jersey ones were M1A1 like TTM's and Mark's

[Tony B]

Best picture I have of it. I'm afraid.

[Grasshopper]

Thats a home made top on a series 5.

[TooTallMike]

SPTA Tony,

 

If you look at the markings on my truck you'll see it's in Beach Group REME British colours. The markings were taken from a photo supplied to me by the REME museaum at Bordon, so yes, they certainly were used by us.

 

- Mike

[SPTA team]

Thanks all for the info.

Tony

[SPTA team]

Just going through some of this years Plain Invasion pictures and found these. Not sure if Mark, Mike and Grasshopper have seen these yet. All these pictures will be on the Plain Military forum soon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tony

[Guest catweazle (Banned Member)]

Heres a better picture than TBs,sorry mate no offence.

[Tony B]

None taken. When where you on the Rock then? Hope you will return in 2010. We have got to get them to restore it though. Acording to mark lamerton's Liberated by force 135, the bible for such things, the WLFs were operated by 24th Port Workshop REME.

Edited July 7, 2008 by Tony B

[Markheliops]

Hi Tony.

 

WLF in Africa during WWII - with our boys if Im not mistaken.

 

 

Markheliops

 

PS - Tony - great pictures - any chance of firing them over to me. Thanks mate.

Edited July 8, 2008 by markheliops
pic req

[SPTA team]

Mark what size do you want them at?

Tony

[TooTallMike]

British WLFs on delivery from Pearson's of Liverpool. Identifying features of British trucks are single headlight on LHS and bridge plate over RH headlight aperture.

 

- Mike

[Tony B]

This is WLF H5813908.The crew were from 24 Port Wks hop REME. Mark lamertom again.

[SPTA team]

Just one more question, how many WLFs servive in the UK at present?

[TooTallMike]

As the unofficial El Presidente of UKWLFOC I know of around 20 owners with around 30 trucks in the UK. There are probably 100-150 worldwide.

 

- Mike