Mk1* Carrier T No

[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.

[Paul Dutton]

Hi Lynn
Quick change of subject.
Out of the 111 MK1 Mortar Carriers sent th NZ, don’t suppose you have any T numbers available. My two came from NZ, be good to trace bit of history.
One is T84809 Mk1 3” Mortar
Cheers

[Lynn Eades]

One is Wolseley, T84089 and T83601 according to Brian Johns (owner before Mark)
Edit: Sounds like between Brian and Mark, someone decided to keep one or both?

Further edit: Both Wolseley, Both U.C. Mortar, No.1 (60h.p.)MkII (MkII Mortar)(not MkII U.C.) (my understanding)