Thank you Ian. Yes mine was registered in late 1961 in Nottingham, and interestingly there are 3 other Military bikes within 3 or 4 numbers from mine. I imagine, Dawsons were given a list of numbers to allocate themselves as they registered bikes. I want to find the owner of one or more of these other ex WD bikes, ( which still exist) so that I may be able to illustrate they are all registered by Dawsons which will help me reclaim my original number. Convoluted, yes, but it gives me something to do! thx Andrew

Hi my 1940 m20 was sold off at Ruddington to Dawsons in 1964 i have the log book with Dawsons in it Reg being BTO ***B i am the second owner having bought it in 1968 still in use and enjoying it.

Thanks Rob, the number immediately before mine is listed on DVLA as a red Royal Enfield and the number two before mine is a red BSA 649cc. Three before mine is another Royal Enfield . It seems highly likely that the lot were registered by Dawsons as I am 99% sure was mine. It would be great to find some of these other bikes though just to confirm what I already know.