British Carriers in Oz

[Bob Moseley (RIP)]

Hi all - this has probably been discussed on other threads but I don't want to chase them all. I would like a precis of why and how we have these Carriers in Oz. At this stage I haven't included them in my Carrier database but they seem to be popping up more and more, so perhaps I should include them.

Bob

[phoenix]

I was wondering the same thing when the one down here appeared. Maybe postwar surplus vehicles found there way here?

[Ryan]

Perhaps a few were brought back with the forces from North Africa in 1942/3?
Or shipments bound for Malaya in 1941/2 ended up here after the area was overrun?
Just guesses.

[Lynn Eades]

I'd like to know how the Scout carrier happened to get to Aussie.

[Bob Moseley (RIP)]

Hi Lynn - what is this particular beast?
Bob

[Tony Smith]

Originally Posted by Bob Moseley

Hi Lynn - what is this particular beast?
Bob

The one found in WA

[Lynn Eades]

A Scout Carrier is probably best decribed as a mirror image of a Bren Carrier (the proper one) Sloping armour on one side, and a long box on top of the track guard on the other side.
Most of the Scout carriers went to France with the BEF,although a few were used in the North Africa Campaign (direct from Nigels first book)
In my ignorance, I would have guessed that there are no Scout carriers left in existance(now I'm waiting to be corrected)and then one turns up in Australia. I imagine it came to Aust. as a trial vehicle, or as a pattern,or the likes. I think the odds on it coming from Africa, would be pretty long. My guess is that there will be documented info about its order/delivery/arrival, somewhere in Australian or British archives.

[Andrew Morrison]

When the Divisions returned from the Middle East they brought all their transport back with them.

Under the terms of supply which were agreed between the Australian and UK governments Australia had to pay the UK government for all kit which was sourced from UK sources rather than their own from supplies sent from Australia. So when they left it is not really surprising that they took it all home with them.

There are a couple of boxes in the UK national archives covering this and the disputes between the government departments as to what values to place on supplies.

This is also the reason for most of those odd UK sourced vehicles which are around.

[Mike K]

Originally Posted by Andrew Morrison

When the Divisions returned from the Middle East they brought all their transport back with them.

Under the terms of supply which were agreed between the Australian and UK governments Australia had to pay the UK government for all kit which was sourced from UK sources rather than their own from supplies sent from Australia. So when they left it is not really surprising that they took it all home with them.

There are a couple of boxes in the UK national archives covering this and the disputes between the government departments as to what values to place on supplies.

This is also the reason for most of those odd UK sourced vehicles which are around.

Hi Andrew

I am not well read on all of the details re: the vehicles that returned from the M.E. campaigns. But, I suspect that not all of the British kit issued came back with the AIF - because the AWM pics show examples of CDF 6X4 Morris Commercials in AIF service ( with a artillery unit ) , but none of those trucks have ever been found here . Maybe there was a leasing arrangement where some vehicles were returned to the British M.E. authorities.

Yes, some of the original Aust. sourced vehicles ( Chevs and Fords) did make it back. But I would suggest that: army drivers being what they are, the attrition rate or write off rate, would have been high. If 30 to 50% of the soft skin vehicles made it back in one piece, I would be surprised.

BTW I came across a British carrier in Tasmania , near Deloraine ... maybe that's the one already mentioned.

[phoenix]

Could be. I know of a few aus carrier hulls near there, but you wouldn't have seen them unless you were on private property and very close to them.