Mk1* Carrier T No

[Michael R.]

Paraphrased

Originally Posted by Tom Millward

Hello all,

I have just found all of the serial numbers on my Mk1* Carrier, but there is no T No.

The details on the upper edge of the front hull plate read:

‘- 3 1942 Ford 5868 (the a 2 under a broad arrow)’

The lower hull number on the rear angle iron is 4935

The hull number behind the commander is CB 4374

Does anyone know how I can work out the T serial No, or know how I can get any details on contract etc?

I do not see your engine number listed. Look on the left rear corner of the engine block, on the machined surface of the intake manifold. That number reads left to right. Once you have that number you could have an accurate data plate made.

Look to see your WD series T number, which may be partially concealed under the lid of the instrument panel. I believe you will find your carrier was produced as one of 3,400 made for War Supplies Limited, Contract WSL72.2. That research material was published by Nigel Watson in his 2006 publication Universal Carriers, Volume 1, Page 293. ISBN 978 0 9556009 0 6. I am suspicious the Contract number may read ‘WSL 72.250’ or ‘WSL 72.251’

Document research within the Directorate of Movements may show the shipping details from Ford of Canada for that carrier, however: the files are not indexed. At more than 150 reels with an average of 5,000 images per reel it is a labourious task.

[Tom Millward]

Thanks Michael,

I haven’t noted the engine number yet, that is the next thing on the list. Once I have, do you know where I can get a data plate made? Mine is missing.

I took the driver’s panel cover off but couldn’t see the T number. It looks like there has been a repair/weld at some point, so that section of the Armour could have been lost.

Can you tell me what ‘War Supplies Ltd’ is as I have not heard that term before?

Many thanks,

Tom

[Michael R.]

Paraphrased

Originally Posted by Tom Millward

Thanks, . . . can you tell me what ‘War Supplies Ltd’ is as I have not heard that term before?

Ford of Canada did ship universal carriers to the British Ministry of Supply under WSL 72.250. Each carrier was boxed, the box given a number, the carrier WD number was listed on the weights and measures document. For example, on 15th October, 1942, case #2 contained T174801. (A boxed MK-I* carrier weighed 9,400 lbs.).

The standing order book at Ford Canada was reported by Watson with notes showing War Department (WD) numbers allocated to South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and East Africa.

You may know CDLV, (Crown Department of Land Vehicles) or simply the contraction ‘CD’ were Canadian contracts. SM were British, A for Australia and NZ for New Zealand. That information is published by Watson in Volume 1 at page 294.

The Canadian government supported other countries through assorted Mutual Aid programs; their contracts appear to have AID/GB, AID/USSR, AID/CHI, followed by the appropriate numerical order, i.e.: AID/USSR 59.

Roger Lucy, the late Clive Law, Hanno S. and others have discussed in some detail the WSL and Mutaul Aid minutiae back about 2010/2011.

[Lynn Eades]

Tom, suggest you pick a different number. T53664 is a number used by two carriers in N.Z. I have a photo somewhere showing this number, very faded, but looking very original, on one of them.

THIS POST IS FLAWED. SEE NEXT POST.

[Lynn Eades]

Tom, having had a discussion with a friend, I have been brought up to speed.
I now know where your carrier came from, and can verify that the number is T53664 . Somewhere I have a photo that would date back to the 70s.
As a matter of interest, I believe that it carried the N.Z. Governor General and his wife in a street parade in one of N.Zs provincial towns, many years ago.
When I find the photos, I will be able to confirm.

[Tom Millward]

Many thanks Lynn, I appreciate your efforts. Any information you have on the Carrier's history would be gratefully received.

Most of my other vehicles' history has been lost, so to be able to trace the Carrier would be great. Do you happen to know whether the Carriers in NZ were supplied directly from Canada, or were they supplied by the UK government when we were supplied with upgraded Mk2/2* variants?

The You Tube video showing Carrier weapon handling training is a Mk1* Carrier, but with no T number unfortunately.

Thanks again,

Tom

[Lynn Eades]

Hi Tom, I cannot locate any info about how we received Canadian universal carriers.
Jeff Plowman's first book refers to 54 Universals and 111 Mortar carriers, all of which I believe were English, built by Sentinal Wagon. (based on a small selection of "T" numbers in a few old photos)
I have a vague recollection that we (N.Z) received 300 Canadian carriers. I cannot validate this.
The few Canadian U.C's. that are still around here are all MkI*. I have never seen anything that I recognised as MkII*
There is not much left here in the way of carriers. Most were worked to death after the war.
When a kiwi rebuilds a riveted carrier, it is generally a bold effort with most starting from a pretty bad state. Your one was put back together many years ago by Alan Watson. He was what I would call a pioneer in M.V. restoration, so yours is one of the better ones.