WD / Census Number tags

[Richard Farrant]

Chris,

Cannot answer specifically for CMP / Canadian vehicles, but as they were allocated WD Census Numbers from Chilwell, here goes. VRD was Vehicle Reserve Depot, which received new vehicles from manufacturers, assemblers, etc. British made vehicles, sometimes had their census numbers applied at the factory and were issued in order of chassis numbers. This helps us now as a few known numbers, we can fill the gaps in. But..........with Bedfords at least, I think the number was probably allocated at a VRD as they are not in chassis number order, likewise with CMP, it would have been impossible, so those that were shipped to England were allocated groups of numbers to each contract. Take a look at the Chilwell list of B vehicles and this can be seen.

The first VRD was at Donnington Park on the prewar race circuit and surrounding area. Others were situated close to manufacturers for accessibility.