Royal Navy vehicles

[Larry Hayward]

It's great to look at old posts sometimes. I have just found out that CFMU stands for Coastal Forces Maintenance Unit. Now all I need is to find what 4MLRU stands for! An MARU was a Mobile Ammunition Repair Unit and ML in the RN is used for Motor Launch so is MLRU - Motor Launch Repair Unit?

Thinking about RN operations you can image that ships would put in to the nearest port with damage- that would then be repaired by mobile units using cutting tools, grinders and generators as seen in the photos posted here.

Has anyone got any more to post?

[Richard Farrant]

Originally Posted by Larry Hayward

Now all I need is to find what 4MLRU stands for!
ML in the RN is used for Motor Launch so is MLRU - Motor Launch Repair Unit?

Larry,

This was a question I have been asking for nearly 30 years, after finding it on the door of a Morris Commercial C4 air compressor truck, and the conclusion drawn was Motor Launch Repair Unit, I had even contacted the Royal Navy historical branch back then, with no luck, but after seeing the Coastal Force vehicle photos, it pretty much confirms my thought line.

[illgato]

Originally Posted by Larry Hayward

It's great to look at old posts sometimes. I have just found out that CFMU stands for Coastal Forces Maintenance Unit. Now all I need is to find what 4MLRU stands for! An MARU was a Mobile Ammunition Repair Unit and ML in the RN is used for Motor Launch so is MLRU - Motor Launch Repair Unit?

Thinking about RN operations you can image that ships would put in to the nearest port with damage- that would then be repaired by mobile units using cutting tools, grinders and generators as seen in the photos posted here.

Has anyone got any more to post?

Thankyou All for the information you have turned up on this subject, it has allowed me to connect many dots.

4MLRU stand for Number 4 Mobile Land Repair Unit.
My Grandfatehr formed No1 MLRU as Naval Party 871 in Algiers in April 1943 to invade Sicily (Husky) and then Salerno (Avalanche). 1MLRU was disbanded in Naples in December 1943 and all the originals were sent back to England and formed 3&4MLRU to invade Normandy in June 1944.

I have a reasonable amount of information on these completely un-recorded RN units, so would like to reply to several of the posts individually.

In the mean time have a look at the photos and documents on my Webshots pages:
http://news.webshots.com/album/571340078sIySOY
http://news.webshots.com/album/560302531PWmBes

I am in the process of writing Grandfathers history and this forum has turned up information such as:

"Hi, I’d just like to thank you very much inded for sharing these photo’s and documents. I am researching my Family History and my Grandfather Philip Brueton served in both the 1MLRU & 4MLRU and I didn’t think I would find out more than that - but to see from your docs that he got a special mention is wonderful. Best wishes Aidan Goodal"

Regards Stephen Morse

[Richard Farrant]

Originally Posted by illgato

4MLRU stand for Number 4 Mobile Land Repair Unit.
My Grandfatehr formed No1 MLRU as Naval Party 871 in Algiers in April 1943 to invade Sicily (Husky) and then Salerno (Avalanche). 1MLRU was disbanded in Naples in December 1943 and all the originals were sent back to England and formed 3&4MLRU to invade Normandy in June 1944.

Hello Stephen,

It was actually me who was looking to find out about 4MLRU. I have been searching to identify the unit for 30 years now. Back then, I was helping a friend restore a 1943 Morris Commercial truck, which carried a large air compressor. When I rubbed the paint down on the doors, the RN vehicle number came up and below it 4MLRU. We contacted the Admiralty to trace the vehicle, but they were unaware of any existing records for M.T.

If you know of where 4MLRU operated, pre and post D-Day, that might help narrow the history down. The mileage on the truck was low, and quite possibly genuine, as I think it had been laying in a scrapyard since disposal soon after the war. I was contacted my its new owner only recently and I am sure he would be interested to hear more.

regards, Richard

[Larry Hayward]

Richard,

JUst out of interest, regarding the new owner of the Morris Commercial Compressor truck, is he the owner of the one recently listed on Milweb, painted in Army colours?

[Richard Farrant]

Originally Posted by Larry Hayward

Richard,

JUst out of interest, regarding the new owner of the Morris Commercial Compressor truck, is he the owner of the one recently listed on Milweb, painted in Army colours?

Larry,
Yes, that was the one.

[Larry Hayward]

Shame I didn't get in there quick enough as I'd love to own a Morris Commercial though I bet spare parts are now a problem hence the price of £4600!

It would be nice to think that the new owner will put it back into RN markings though I bet it won't be. Was it ever gray in colour or did the MLRU markings appear over a typical army scheme for the period?

[Richard Farrant]

Originally Posted by Larry Hayward

Shame I didn't get in there quick enough as I'd love to own a Morris Commercial though I bet spare parts are now a problem hence the price of £4600!

It would be nice to think that the new owner will put it back into RN markings though I bet it won't be. Was it ever gray in colour or did the MLRU markings appear over a typical army scheme for the period?

Larry,

My recollection from 30 years ago, was that parts were not easy to find then, we trawled the old motor parts dealers as the engines were used in civvy lorries and agricultural vehicles. The original colour of the C4 was brown, from the factory, no sign of grey. It had a coat of green on top.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Larry Hayward

JUst out of interest, regarding the new owner of the Morris Commercial Compressor truck, is he the owner of the one recently listed on Milweb, painted in Army colours?

This one, isn't it?

H.

[Richard Farrant]

Originally Posted by Hanno Spoelstra

This one, isn't it?

Hanno,

As mentioned earlier, I was well aquainted with the recovery of this vehicle and some of the early restoration of it, about 30 years ago, helping my friend who owned it at the time. It changed hands a couple of times and recently was sold again, re the Milweb advert. The new owner has been in contact and I have forwarded this thread to him as I found original markings on it proving it was attached to 4MLRU and the recent developments on here have thrown new light on the truck's past history.

[David_Hayward (RIP)]

The third photo is a rhd truck so most likely a 3-topn CC60L (Canadian Chevrolet 1941 Model 1543X2), one of those shipped to Alexandria under S.M 2005 (one of 150) or one shipped-out after British assembly.

[illgato]

Hi Richard,
Sorry I don't know much about where 3&4MLRU operated by my guess would be as follows:

Formed sometime between December 1943 (from 1MLRU) and May 1944, probably based at Portsmouth.

Would have landed D+1 or 2.
Here is the only official mention I have ever found about MLRUs (it refers to ONLY 3&4).

" XVI. Recovery and Repair.
1. Recovery, maintenance and repair in the assault area were under the general control of senior engineer officers on FOBAA (Flag Officer, British Assault Area) Staff. These included base engineer, electrical and construction officers, principal salvage officer, and fuelling officer.
2. Off shore repairs were handled by large repair parties in LSE, Depot Ships and floating docks.
3. In shore repair and recovery was organized on a divisional front basis under the NOIC. His staff included Reserve Assault Group Squadron Engineer Officers and Engineer Officers of the MLRU."

see: http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USN/...mNavEu-10.html

Initial port targets would have been Port-en-Bessin and Oiustreham as well as beach support in the British area.

They would have then leap-frogged ports up the coast through France, Belgium, Holland and possibly to Germany.

The Units would have been disbanded as soon as there were no more ports to assault.

Your compressor truck was used to support divers, air tools, salvage pumps and to provide compressed air to refloat vessels and would have ended up being used by port parties along the coast until surplus to requirements.

I have some other photos of my Grandfathers RN vehicles and will post them shortly with some comments on the photos in this thread.

Regard Stephen

[Richard Farrant]

Originally Posted by illgato

Would have landed D+1 or 2.
Here is the only official mention I have ever found about MLRUs (it refers to ONLY 3&4).

Thanks Stephen,

That is more information than I have found in 30 years, I will pass this on to the new owner.

Once again, thank you.

Richard

[Larry Hayward]

Stephen,

I look forward to seeing your grandfathers photos too!

[illgato]

Originally Posted by Richard Farrant

Thanks Stephen,

That is more information than I have found in 30 years, I will pass this on to the new owner.

Once again, thank you.

Richard

Hi Richard,
4MLRU was Naval Party 1502 and landed at Sword with the initial target of Ouistreham (Caen), then Le Harve, Dieppe, Boulogne, Calais, Ostend, etc..

This is a excert from a book called "Open the Ports, the story of human minesweepers" by J. Grosvenor & L.M. Bates (I have a copy) which can be found at:
http://www.mcdoa.org.uk/Bill%20Bailey%20Tribute.pdf

At last Party 1574 received orders to go to Portsmouth for embarkation. After
the usual infuriating delays and the expected hazards and discomforts of the
crossing, they reached Sword Beach.
They sailed in the same convoy as another naval Party, Nº 1502, whose
business was to get certain captured ports working again. They, too, were
bound for Ouistreham, but were not, of course, going to take any part in
underwater clearance of mines, etc., which was Party 1574’s special care.
Their duties would be salvage and general reorganisation of the port’s facilities.
Party 1502 were well equipped and the ‘P’ Party members looked with envy at
their lorries and so forth. Bailey had only been able to scrounge a box-cart to
carry their gear! But he cared nothing for dignity; he was concerned only with
getting their equipment to Ouistreham in the shortest possible time.
The excitement of going ashore amidst the remains of wreckage of landingcraft,
tanks, etc., desolate relics of the first assault forces, was enhanced by the
sound of firing. Not far away Royal Marine Commandos were still engaged in
mopping up behind the beaches while the armies pressed inland against fierce
enemy resistance.

[Richard Farrant]

Originally Posted by illgato

Hi Richard,
4MLRU was Naval Party 1502 and landed at Sword with the initial target of Ouistreham (Caen), then Le Harve, Dieppe, Boulogne, Calais, Ostend, etc..

Thank you. That is stunning info, when I helped the original private owner all those years ago, to start the restoration, he was a bit dissapointed to find it was Navy and probably had not got any real active service.........quite the reverse from what is emerging now.

[Richard Farrant]

Originally Posted by illgato

Hi Richard,
4MLRU was Naval Party 1502 and landed at Sword with the initial target of Ouistreham (Caen), then Le Harve, Dieppe, Boulogne, Calais, Ostend, etc..

Hello Stephen,

The owner of the ex-4MLRU Morris truck has asked me to thank you for all the info you have come up with, he has found further information on the unit's work after arriving in France.

[illgato]

Originally Posted by Richard Farrant

Hello Stephen,

The owner of the ex-4MLRU Morris truck has asked me to thank you for all the info you have come up with, he has found further information on the unit's work after arriving in France.

Hi Richard,
Glad to be of help, I would be very interested in finding out any further information the new owner has uncovered.

Regards Stephen