Location info required (Iceland)

[Mark W. Tonner]

Originally posted by Keith Webb
Yesterday I bought an old photo album with some interesting images of British vehicles in, I believe, Iceland during the war.

This pic of Nortons is interesting because of the polar bear logo.

Other pics show carriers, MW Bedfords, and even a Morris Arty Tractor.

Can anyone help with any information?

Hi Keith;

It is Iceland. The 'polar bear logo' is the Formation Sign used by Alabaster Force, of which the British 49th (West Riding) Infantry Division, who were entrusted with the defence of Iceland in 1940, were the main force of. While in Iceland, this was adopted by and became the Formation Sign of the 49th division (1940).

Sub units of the division (147th Infantry Brigade) began arriving in May 1940, with the last sub unit of the division leaving Iceland in August 1942 (146th Infantry Brigade), with the defence of Iceland being turned over to the United States.

The figure '60' (Arm of Service serial) on the petrol tanks of the Nortons denotes that these M/Cs belong to the 1/5th Battalion, The West Yorkshire Regiment (The Prince of Wale's Own) of 147th Infantry Brigade.

Hope this helps Keith.

Cheers