Mk 2 Carrier water can

[Peter Duggan]

Robert,

I'm new to the business of kitting out a WW 11 vehicle, so some of my questions may seem quite basic.

Is there any documentation that states how these containers should be painted/marked?

The dark grey for water containers ? Large white W painted on the two sides or "Water" printed, if so 1" tall letters?

I have acquired several 2 gallon containers (British and Canadian) which are embossed PETROLEUM SPIRIT HIGHLY INFLAMMABLE. I'm assuming this was the norm for containers meant for transporting gas. Did Canada use the term Gas or Petrol ? How were these containers painted ? The same colour as the vehicle?

My stowage diagrams for the Lynx do not list the 5 gallon jerrycan, but most period pictures of Lynxes in service show that the toops in the field certainly used them.

Thanks, Peter

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[rob love]

I have only seen the embossed "petroleum spirits...." on the very early (1940) Canadian cans. I have never seen it on a later Canadian can.

I have to wonder if perhaps a white water can was for potable water, and a grey one for "grey", or non-potable water. However I suspect there more than likely was no difference.

[Robert Bergeron]

Very nice Peter.

First time I see '' flammable spirits on a Canadian military C Broad arrowed can . Seen it on numerous occasions on British cans.

We all agree that these are not insignificant details found on Carriers and other fighting vehicles.

They are an interesting part of collecting for our vehicles.

I know of no pubs or official documentation, just contemporary photographic evidence. Anyone know any different ?

Again thank you all for your contributions, keep 'em coming .

Rob , all white water cans I have seen all bear earlier date marks than the Grey cans. I think the white was too conspicuous to be used on the battlefield and was changed somewhere in 44 to Gray.. but still not Green as to differentiate them from POL . Humble suggestion also.

[Ron Pier]

Since the 'FLIMSY' has been mentioned during this thread, here is one I finally managed to acquire. Dated 1942.

I read somewhere that the average loss of fuel due to damage in transit was 1% per 10 miles. I still don't know how the tear off cap was attached or sealed? Ron

[Robert Bergeron]

Thank you Ron .

Canadians might of used these in Italy as they were supplied by the British from forward bases in Africa. Most of the rolling stock the Canadians had brought with them to Italy from England had been sunk to the bottom of the Mediterranean so possibly Flimsies were used . Probably not NWE as the 20 Gal Jerrycan became prevalent by 1944.

Interesting addition nonetheless.

[Ron Pier]

Originally Posted by Robert Bergeron

Thank you Ron .
the 20 Gal Jerrycan became prevalent by 1944.

You'd need some muscles to lift that one Ron

[Robert Bergeron]

Yes Ron , the 20 Litre / 5 Gal Jerry is heavy and cumbersome but they give you ''legs '' , autonomy . That is especially important when you stretch your lines of communication / supply.

A tank ( Sherman, Stuart ) , Half track or armoured car demand a lot of petrol... Carriers not much more than a CMP truck but still. So 20 Litre / 5 Gal jerries were a definite improvement. And they were re-usable contrary to the ''Flimsy''.

ANY MORE 1 and 2 Gal cans we haven't seen boys ? Thanks Ron , i corrected the typo.

[Owen Evans]

Originally Posted by Robert Bergeron

Rob , all white water cans I have seen all bear earlier date marks than the Grey cans. I think the white was too conspicuous to be used on the battlefield and was changed somewhere in 44 to Gray.. but still not Green as to differentiate them from POL . Humble suggestion also.

To add to this, I picked up a water can (albeit a British one) a few weeks ago, stamped 'VALOR 3 40' (March 1940?) on the underneath. After removing the multitude of paint layers, I find it is black, with 'WATER' stencilled in white. I find to trace that the can was ever painted white. Of course, the paint could have been stripped before repainting.

From a point of history, here's a photo (July '44, in Normandy) of the white cans in action behind a Bedford MWC. Were the white cans retained for use away from the front lines? And note the black jerrycans too. And still on the subject of water cans, how would the troops in the field know if the water in the cans was safe to drink? I've never seen a 2 gallon can marked 'drinking water'.

Just my thoughts..

Owen.

[Robert Bergeron]

All good questions my friend !

[marco]

Some information about water cans from the XIIMD War Diary but this info should also apply for other units.


Marco

[Robert Bergeron]

Nice Marco , very nice information ! Thank-you