Commer Q2: Truck, 15-cwt, 4x2, Van

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Keith Brooker

Two photos from my collection.

Thanks Keith!

[Radek]

another picture of Commer Q4

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Thanks Radek, also for sending me this picture. Had seen it before but somehow not posted it here. This Ministry of Food variant is a rare one, it may even be a one off? The Bedford-based one is better known.

56F9A40C-79B8-4267-B61D-3CB0469776C8.jpeg

Source: https://flic.kr/p/fgLYic

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Hanno Spoelstra

This Ministry of Food variant is a rare one, it may even be a one off?

Richard Allebone sent me a screenshot, a quick search yielded the original of another Commer Q2 flying food truck. This is another vehicle, note “Jamaica’s Women War Material and Comforts Committee” on the side. It was supplied to UNNRA so this is a postwar picture.

Read more about how Caribbean women supported Britain’s war effort in a variety of ways at http://westindiacommittee.org/caribb.../women-in-war/

S-1167-0009-00001.jpg
Source: https://search.archives.un.org/unrra...-flying-squads

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Over on HMVF in the excellent thread Guy vix-ants - queens messengers "Runflat" posted two files identifying all the Commer chassis supplied as "Welfare Vans". A total of fifteen Commers were supplied as Welfare Van (pictured here) and Canteen.

I have attached the details of the particular example posted above, as well as the files by "Runflat". Commer Q2 "CUN 351" was transferred to UNRRA where it was registred as "UNRRA-Y9".

Welfare Van_Jamaica Womens Committee.png

Welfare Van_Jamaica Womens Committee_2.png

Originally Posted by Hanno Spoelstra

Richard Allebone sent me a screenshot, a quick search yielded the original of another Commer Q2 flying food truck. This is another vehicle, note “Jamaica’s Women War Material and Comforts Committee” on the side. It was supplied to UNNRA so this is a postwar picture.
S-1167-0009-00001.jpg

[Hanno Spoelstra]

The file with the listing of Ministry of Food & Queen's Messengers vehicles lists the Commer Welfare Van donated by Jamaica Mutual Life Association Society as CUN 353:

Commer Welfare Van CUN 353.png

Originally Posted by Hanno Spoelstra

Thanks Radek, also for sending me this picture. Had seen it before but somehow not posted it here. This Ministry of Food variant is a rare one, it may even be a one off? The Bedford based is better known.
56F9A40C-79B8-4267-B61D-3CB0469776C8.jpeg

[Alan McGuinness]

Glad you appreciate the lists.

Here are some more Commer photos from the IWM archive, though you may need to squint a bit.

A1863
A1863.jpg

CH12890
CH12890.jpg

CH14815
CH14815.jpg

[Alan McGuinness]

And some more:

CM2230
CM2230.jpg

CM2232
CM2232.jpg

CM5402
CM5402.jpg

H17175
H17175.jpg

ME(RAF)5659
ME(RAF)5659.jpg

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Alan McGuinness

Glad you appreciate the lists.

Here are some more Commer photos from the IWM archive, though you may need to squint a bit.

Alan, I cannot thank you enough for compiling the lists, it is great to add an identity to the vehicles found in the various pictures!

Of the IWM photos, I particularly like:

CH14815: A crew of No 58 Squadron in front of their Halifax Mk II Series IA at Stornoway in the Outer Hebrides, 22-26 February 1945.
IWM (CH 14815) 3.jpg
Source: https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/i...ject/205219002


A1863: Nissen huts at a naval base, with Supermarine Walrus amphibious aircraft off shore. 1940
IWM (A 1863) 2.jpg
Source: https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/i...ject/205136207

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Another pre-heating van:

“Ground staff prepare a No. 233 Squadron Hudson for flight in freezing conditions at Thorney Island, 19 January 1942. The 'hot air van' has been brought in to warm up the engines and de-ice the cockpit windscreen.”

B7045FD6-F160-4C71-A9A4-B7C0B412BDF2.jpeg

Source: https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/i...ject/205218949