Nice Pic...

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[Richard Farrant]

Originally posted by Brad Mills
What is it behind LT GEN. CRERAR ? A Staghound? Fenders don't look correct for a Staghound though.

Brad,
It is a Humber MkIV armoured car.

Richard

[Bill Alexander]

1st Canadian Army HQ didn't become active in France until July 26, 1944. Some elements would have been in NW Europe prior to that date. It is likely the photo was taken in UK.
Since the armoured car is a Humber, is the unit the 17th Hussars, 3rd Div, or ??

[Neil Ashley]

The original of this picture must still exist as I saw it in a book several years ago in a larger format.

The PLM mount on the turret was visible in that version.

I assume the colour of the Humber to be brown.

[Gunner]

Hi Bill:

The only marking clearly visible is the 1st Cdn Army marking to the right of Gen Crerar.

The vehicle most likely belonged to his HQ (a white "9" in a black rectangle with a white bar underneath) or to one of the armd recce regts; 8 CAR (14th Hussars) or 32 CAR (Royal Montreal Regt (RMR)): a white "41" or "459" respectively on a green over blue rectangle with a white bar underneath.

If it had been a Div or Corps veh it would not have had the 1st Cdn Army formation sign on it. Div troops and Corps troops would use their parent formation markings. (At least in theory... some strange variations have cropped up in photos)

Part of the registration number is visible so someone out there may be able to nail down exactly which veh it is.

Its interesting to note what appears to be a two tone green and brown camouflage.

Cheers, Mike

[Bill Alexander]

Found this in the RMR history. The advance party of the First Canadian Army Headquarters Defence Company embarked for Normandy on June 15, 1944.
"The Armoured Car Troop, though remaining as part of the First Canadian Army Headquarters Defence Company, had come under the direct orders of General Crerar's Personal Assistant. It had been arranged that command of the troop would be excercised in this way during its service as the General's mobile escort in France and as his permanent bodyguard from sunset to dawn."
Perhaps this is part of the troop in the background.

[Gunner]

Hi Bill:

Looks like you found some gold nuggets there.

For those interested in researching further, perhaps the RMR might have more details and photos of the troop in action. There might be a match up for the last couple of digits on the census number... it is in a distinctive font.

Here's their URL: http://www.royalmontrealregiment.com/english.html

The Adjutant should have contact information for their Museum curator.

Cheers, Mike