Valentines overseas
 

What version of Valentine was used in New Zealand and Australia, I presume mkIII and later?

Al, definately MkIII and MkV. Maybe other marks as well, (for N.Z.)

Just a single bridgelayer in Aust. No guntanks.

Mike

According to Jeff Plowmans first book (AFVs of N.Z.1939 to 59) New Zealand had:
100 MkII (introduced 41-42) (AEC)
74 MkIII (introduced 42) (AEC)
81 MkV (introduced 42) (Detroit)
11 Bridgelayers
I cant seem to find how many were converted to MkIIICS (close support with Matilda 3" gun) ( 9 were planned)
The (18) Matildas were sold to Australia. These were the ones converted to Frogs (flamethrowers)
And for you Alistair, N.Z had 21 Starting and charging Loyds (introduced 42-43)

Mike, Can you tell us about how quite a few Valentines did end up in Australia?
I remember photographing one somewhere between Merriden and Geraldton in the wheat belt. It was there as a monument to the guy (people) who had broken in the bush in the area, using this tank as a dozer. I cannot remember the name of the place.

Valentine & Matilda CS
 

Valentines in Aust: Commercial surplus import into WA post-war for agricultural use, I understand, but this was hearsay from Bob D (decd) who owned one, and acquired a turret ex-NZ via James S (decd). I have not investigated this aspect.

Australia purchased 33 Matilda MkIV CS tanks from NZ, (possibly 32 of which were CS, and one gun tank) to supplement the existing inventory of 60-odd CS tanks already held (Cabinet docs state 290 2-pdr, 61 CS and 25 Frogs were held prior to the purchase).

Of the NZ purchase, 15 were deficient the 3 inch Hows, which were retained by NZ to equip Valentine tanks (with spares, so the figure of 9 intended Valentine conversions seems reasonable). The other 18 Matildas came complete with their 3 inch How (although the figure may be 17 + one 2-pdr)

None as far as I'm aware, were converted to Frogs. Of the 25 converted to Frog configuration in Aust, none of the WO registrations correspond to the WO registrations of Matilda tanks acquired from NZ, and these were all converted prior to the NZ purchase anyway.

Mike :salute:

www.michaelkcecil.com

I heard a similar story from the late Murray Lucas, a well known WA HMV buff.
I understand that none of the commercially imported Valentines had turrets.

Dave

Yes, Dave: when the likes of long-time collectors Murray and Bob say that as the origin of these tanks, then you'd have to give it a lot of credence.

Turrets: the lack of turrets with the tanks accounts for the much later (1990s) import of at least 2 from NZ by James S to sell to Bob D and John B - there were simply none to be found in Australia, as I understand it.

Mike

Hi Mike,

I have a feeling that I saw a white painted Valentine up at Rupunyup Vic. at a well known collectors yard, complete with turret, about 15 years ago. I have a photo somewhere but it will take a while to find.

Regards Rick.

It would be interesting to know where he found it .... maybe you could give him a call and find out for us, Rick?

All the evidence thus far points to the same conclusion that Murray and Bob related to Dave and me.

Enjoy the heat of an Aussie Christmas ..... we are enjoying the snow this year.

Mike :salute:

2011 pics
 

Found some pics, of said Valentine taken in Oct 2011 by me.
Bit of a jig saw puzzle...
possible not the turret from that tank hull???

Thanks Darrin,

The turret looks like an ex-range target to me - painted white ('... target .. left ... 600 ...the BIG WHITE THING, Gunner!...) then shot at, but I suppose the only way to find out for certain is to talk to the owner.

Mike

Does it look in too good a shape to have been lying around on a target range, unless it has been repaired?

And Jesus, I hope someone does something with those parts rather than leave them lying around for another 50 years :-)

Bridge Layer in Australia
 

Attached are some images of Mike's single bridge layer captured by the Army's Cinematographic Section. Some years back Bob took me out to a property where he had his Valentine stored and I believe I have a couple of photographs of it sitting in a shed among other bits....Cheers...Rod

Valentine
 

Few images to finish off....Rod