"Stores" trucks....so what did they store?
 

Stores trucks....I have seen lots of pics of different Stores trucks over the years; some of them with the chicken wire, others using the Lindsey design body.....but I can't remember seeing any of these "in action", only on factory or operators manual pictures. So, what did stores trucks store in the first place? and what do these trucks look like "in business"?

Alex

Stores..
 

Alex
"Stores" in military English refers to "Supplys"...a very broad term for every possible bit,piece..food article..ammunition..bedding..uniforms..vehicle parts..you name it it was classified as "Stores"..supplys...
Anything that had to be transported was carried in some sort of "Stores" vehicle./.and including other vehicles..such as motorcycles..trailers..Throw them in a "Stores" vehicle and send them up to the front/..or where ever the hell the stores Sergeant sent you with your load..
Oh Yes..your load of "Stores"..
could have been beer..or gravel..it was still broadly classified as "Stores"..
Ain't English fun...!!
:drunk: :salute:
Alex

Did you say "beer"? Excellent idea.... :D

Alex, thanks for the clarification; the chicken wire lead me to believe that stores vehicles could carry valuable goods, some even have a counter-like thingy, which almost lead me to believe that it was a grocery store on wheels! Still interesting to see one of these trucks in operation....


Alex

Alex I have seen photos of chicken mess covered bodies which carried medical stores. Other stores trucks carried vast amounts of Vehicle Stores and I have seen Australian photos captioned as "binned" parts and "unbinned" parts as well. :)

I may be incorrect here, but, I believe that the wire enclosures offered security for the loads in two ways; one, safety, as in a physical barrier against sharp corners and odd shaped items instead of shreadding tapaulins and two, general security for items that may otherwise "walk". In all probability stores vehs were equiped with padlocks.

A common term in Canada is now to call them "cages". With tbe tarp down, it looks innocent. Add a lock to the doors and the Company Quartermaster (CQ) can be reasonably assured no one will break into his truck and make up their own inventory shortfalls at his expense. Or, give the same truck to the Sergeant Major, and he can be happy-er (as if that is possible at that elevated degree of crustiness), that his off-the-books canteen with the obligatory beef jerky, shaken canned drinks and Wine Dipped Old Port cigars won't get swiped.

Stores trucks
 

While appreciating that the term Stores Trucks can actually cover a huge range of vehicles, carrying an equally huge range of items, my understanding is that most of them were attached to workshops, LADs and such. They carried the smaller items required for vehicle repair that were frequently in demand. Spare engines - probably not; they would need to be requested from further back, but nuts, bolts, gaskets, fanbelts, brake linings, windscreen wipers - all that sort of thing.

Chris

Hi Alex;

Two "Stores" lorries of 2nd Canadian Divisional Ordnance Workshop, RCOC, "in business".

Cheers

Here's a few. Note one has Ford Truck 2 marked on the back so I guess there were Chev Truck spares as well.

and here is 2 medical stores trucks. A blood supply (note the tilt frame for a canvas tarp similar to a GS truck) and a medical light field ambulance truck with stores of blankets etc.

I am use to refering to these trucks as "Bin Trucks" because usually the Supply techs that "own" the vehicle are nicknamed "Bin Rats"

All i can find on this Aus photo is stores NO1 aust binned

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s...t/scan0001.jpg

Receipts area, somewhere in Normandy.


http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s...scan0007-1.jpg

Tented Ordnance depot, note the civilians and German PoWs


http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s...ombat/c60l.jpg

C60L Binned with wire mesh. Bins refer to the storage Bins for keeping stores separate.


http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s...bat/RAOC13.jpg


http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s...bat/RAOC12.jpg

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s...bat/RAOC10.jpg

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s...mbat/RAOC9.jpg

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s...mbat/RAOC1.jpg

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s...mbat/RAOC7.jpg

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s...mbat/RAOC2.jpg


My favorite subject. Some random Ordnance pics.

RAOC held "stores" either on wheels or in static bases. Stores would be anything needed to by the services to equip or maintain the forces. ie Boots, socks and hats; weapon or vehicle spares or complete tanks, vehicles, bicycles etc They were also responsible for various other services like Mobile Bath and Laundry Units (MBLU) Officers Shops, Industrial Gas factories to name a few.

RASC held "Supplies" ie what is now known as Combat Supplies,ie Food, fuel ammunition. They were also responsible for various other things like animal fodder, barrack furniture etc.

Royal Engineers were responsible for Defence Stores, wire, pickets, sandbags etc

RAMC were responsible for Medical Stores such as dressings and drugs etc.

Cliff, what are the guards over the cabin on the Blitz for. Too wide for brush guards, not wire cutters so what are they for?
Rick.

I have seen them before without really noticing them but believe they are a frame to attach canvas to. Other medical vehicles like surgery units were able to 'hide' the whole truck under a canvas tent. If anyone else has an idea as to the frame use I'd like to hear it :)

Below is an advanced mobile dressing station 'hidden' in it's tent. Photo is from the AWM collection :thup2: