1941 Fordson WOT 2H truck. After 10 years

[Mike Cecil]

Just to re-iterate the Australian context of 79 on black in more detail (the vehicle is, after all, in Australia):

79 on a black background was the unit sign of an Aust Divisional Provost Units 1940-1941. In 1942, Aust Divisional Provost Units were assigned the Unit sign 95 on a black background. This they retained until the end of the war, firstly as the single numeric sign '95' on a black background, and from 1944, '95' as the lower (denominator) with the actual unit number above. (As an aside, Aust SOVOs in 1960 also assign '95' on black to Provost Units.

From early 1942, Aust Mobile Bath Units in any formation (Army, Corps, Division, Lines of Communication Area, District Commands, etc etc), were assigned the unit sign 79 on a black background, examples being:

1 Aust Infantry Division: 105 Aust Mobile Bath Unit;
2 Aust Infantry Division: 106 Aust Mobile Bath Unit;
Northern Territory Force: No.s 115 & 116 Mobile Bath Units.

'79' was also assigned to AIF(ME) Base 1 Advanced Depot Medical Stores, initially with a 2 inch white bar across the bottom, later the 2 inch white bar was deleted (once a Formation sign was issued).

Mike C

[Larry Hayward]

But Mike didn't you suggest earlier that this WOT might have been a vehicle used by AIF in the Middle East which 'returned' to Australia?

[Mike Cecil]

Larry,

Yes, I did. What I have been trying to say is that, just because the sign is 79 on black, does not indicate that it could only be a Divisional Provost Company, as seems to have been the assumption based on a couple of references. Rather, in the Australian context, both in Australia and in the Middle East, there were other possibilities, depending upon where, and when, the sign was applied. I am not saying it is not a Div Provost Company, but that there are other possibilities that should be considered as well.

Mike C

[jack neville]

Mike,

Just checked the engine # of my WOT2H. 6183754. It would appear to fall outside the 60 vehicles mentioned earlier. Any thoughts?

I do have a D model (, or the front half.) which should have a chassis number on the front half of the chassis. Will check that when I get a chance.

[Mike Cecil]

Jack,

Like Ian's WOT2H, I suggest this is another vehicle ex-Middle East, rather than one of the batch of new-ish vehicles (WOT2D?) that arrived in Aust as refugee cargo (and given Aust registrations).

There is plenty of evidence to support the importation of an unknown number (but probably quite small) of WOTs and other pommie vehicles to Australia as part of the equipment of the returning AIF units. The Scout Mk.1 carrier that has been the subject of another thread probably falls into this category. Many retained their Brit War Office registrations and were not transferred to the Australian registration system.

I'll go out on a limb here and say that my impression is that these mostly arrived in the first half of 1942 with the early returning units of the AIF from the Middle East. Units delayed in Ceylon mostly left their vehicles in ordnance vehicle parks there if the embarkation orders are to be believed. Units that remained in the ME theatre (elements of 1 Corps, 9 Aust Inf Div) were re-equipped in mid to late 1942 with more modern vehicles such as CMPs. These units did not return to Aust until late 42/early 43, so I think it unlikely that they would have retained such things as WOTs when all wheel drive CMPs were in the offing. Much conjecture here, of course, so others, please feel free to chime in and voice an opinion!

Mike C

[Mike K]

Originally Posted by Mike Cecil

Jack,

Like Ian's WOT2H, I suggest this is another vehicle ex-Middle East, rather than one of the batch of new-ish vehicles (WOT2D?) that arrived in Aust as refugee cargo (and given Aust registrations).

There is plenty of evidence to support the importation of an unknown number (but probably quite small) of WOTs and other pommie vehicles to Australia as part of the equipment of the returning AIF units. The Scout Mk.1 carrier that has been the subject of another thread probably falls into this category. Many retained their Brit War Office registrations and were not transferred to the Australian registration system.

I'll go out on a limb here and say that my impression is that these mostly arrived in the first half of 1942 with the early returning units of the AIF from the Middle East. Units delayed in Ceylon mostly left their vehicles in ordnance vehicle parks there if the embarkation orders are to be believed. Units that remained in the ME theatre (elements of 1 Corps, 9 Aust Inf Div) were re-equipped in mid to late 1942 with more modern vehicles such as CMPs. These units did not return to Aust until late 42/early 43, so I think it unlikely that they would have retained such things as WOTs when all wheel drive CMPs were in the offing. Much conjecture here, of course, so others, please feel free to chime in and voice an opinion!

Mike C

The 2 WOT2D's Andrew and myself had in 1980 to 85 both were ex CFA units . Found at Redbank , near St Arnud in Victoria , Advertised in restored cars magazine - on a farm . Lucky for us one had its original Van body , non drop sides still in situ . The Div tac sign found on one of them under the paint was the greyhound on boomerang .

A few WOTS did come back from the ME as written the book by the transport driver ........... cant think of the title, but he lists the cab 12 c60'S HIS UNIT came back with, even the reg numbers . These cab 12's were then shipped up to NT .... he said the WOT2 was a rocket to drive compared to the chevies .

I would like to know more about the refugee cargo Morris CS8's . How many and so on . I do have a 1939 aero screen example , a oddity . Most of them found here have cabs and are late 1941 production . Mike

[jack neville]

Mike,

Did you ever do any research or learn anything of the CFA sales? Where and when they were held? It is an avenue of investigation I have thought of exploring. I would think the Amphitheatre WOT could have been among the same batch from Redbank. Only a guess, but the proximity is close.