Quote:
Originally Posted by hrpearce
Posting at Discharge- 14 Field Company. How would this be depicted on a vehicle?  |
Hi Rob,
It's actually 2/14 Field Company, denoting 2nd AIF unit. 14 Field Company was an original WW1 unit.
In depicting your blitz as 2/14 Fd. Coy. there are 2 signs to be considered:
1. Formation sign.
Formation sign is to be stencilled in white on a black background approx 8 x 8, on front nearside panel and rear offside of any body fitted. You'll need to find out what formation the 2/14 Fd. Coy. was attached to at the time you wish to depict. It may have been 11th Division at one stage, in which case see pic 1. However I really don't know enough to be of much help here.
Unit sign.
Removable plate 8 1/2 wide by 9 1/2 deep, fitted to holder on front nearside of vehicle and rear offside of any body fitted. Prior to 1944, unit signs bore a single number only, which was unrelated to the unit number itself. The single number system was later deemed impractical, and was replaced by a new numbering system in the form of a fraction, eg:
2-14
___
60
background colour indicates arm of service (blue = Engineers)
numerator indicates unit number (2nd 14th)
denominator indicates type of unit (60 = Field Company)
In this way the 2/14 Fd. Coy. could be distinguished from say, 2/14 Battalion, which would be on a red background denoting Infantry, with denomitator 56 denoting Infantry Battalion.
Or 2/14 Field Regiment, which would be on a horizontal blue and red background denoting Artillery, with denominator 74 denoting Field Regiment. An example of this particular unit sign is seen in pic 2. Being an irregular vehicle it hasn't been fitted with unit sign holders, which may have forced the formation sign over to the wrong side.
The D1 marking on this vehicle is a tactical sign, indicating D Troop, Tractor 1. Instructions for tactical signs include: The type, shape, size and colouring of tactical signs will be as laid down in the Standing Orders of each formation. Tactical signs will be placed on vehicles.....on the front doors on both sides, and, where considered necessary by formation etc commanders, on the front and rear. There may have been tactical signs on some Field Company vehicles, but I really wouldn't know.
That's about the full extent of my knowledge I'm afraid Rob. At least you can do the unit sign anyway. If I come across anything else I'll let you know.
Cheers,
Tony