John Tinley has asked me to post this picture of an original Matchless toolbox he bought in France. He believes the insignia is of the 1st Armoured Div. and was hoping for comments. Ron
email (option): ronpier@talk21.com
John is correct..it is the 1st Armoured Div., and it was the first armoured division formed in the British Army. .. Formed in 1937 as the 'Mobile Division'. They were sent to France as an incomplete unit (minus one tank regiment, without artillery, and with a shortage of radio and other equipment)in April 1940. The first elements arrived on the 15th. They fought in the area south of the Somme and were evacuated on 16th. June 1940.
From 1941 they fought in North Africa and Italy..being disbanded at the end of the war.Reformed in 1976 they are still in existence..Correct Div. marking is the white rhino on a black background within a red triangle.. Nice find!..Ian
email (option): julie@wright52.plus.com
Sorry..in my last posting I put 'correct' Div. marking..that should read 'current'.
The wartime Div. marking was the rhino on a black oval. Interestingly this is the style of div marking used from the inception of the unit until 1944 when the rhino became a more aggressive charging rhino. The first style was then taken up by the 2nd. armoured brigade. So it is correct for the BEF period..do you think it is an original marking John?..Ian
email (option): julie@wright52.plus.com
That is rather nice.
The caption on this picture says 1940, but its probably after Dunkirk?
email (option): robmiller11@yahoo.co.uk
The photo that Rob has posted relates to a post-Dunkirk Command Trial. A report was published on 10/10/1940
1st Armoured Division went late to Cherbourg and their actions were south of the Somme apart from a detachment sent to assist with the defence of Calais.
Hi John..It was probably a stencil, which would explain the lack of background and the gaps in the outer oval...and of course paint was often applied to stencils with a short haired stippling brush.
I have e mailed you something that may be of interest...Ian
email (option): julie@wright52.plus.com
Fascinating John. Did your toolbox come from the Calais region ?
Here's a MkVIB Light Tank from 3 RTR, probably in Calais.
I can't see a black background.
My 16H had its 2nd Div markings direct on the KG No.3 (mine was brush painted using a crude stencil). This is the only division that I've looked closely at. Although published sources refer to a black background, none of the BEF images show this feature and post-war books are frequently relying on War Office directives which reflect later practice. The system was new for the BEF which might explain the unconventional location also. I've never seen a period photo with a formation sign on a toolbox.
Here another picture of a lorry with that marking on it, it's an US White mod. 920, ex French contract 1939 petrol tanker, converted by the British to tank transporter.
Seems the marking is without black background too.
Here a more detailed shot:
Lex
email (option): welbike@welbike.net
Hi Rik..what made you enquire about Calais?..1st. Div. fought over a fairly wide area and the bulk of the Div. was evacuated from Cherbourg with the remainder going from Brest. Interesting that the pic of the post Dunkirk bike does have the black background...Ian
PS I went back read your posting in more detail Rik...now I understand the Calais question
...Ian
email (option): julie@wright52.plus.com
Thanks Rik...I realised my mistake after asking the question! ...Ian
email (option): julie@wright52.plus.com
Yer all wrong-it's obviously an Ecko Unltd-branded toolbox-very stylish!
http://www.shopecko.com/family/index.jsp?categoryId=2879123&cp=2441354.4425768
email (option): m20wc51@yahoo.com
Hi Doug...how do they think up this stuff?...and how do you find it in the vast expanses of the internet? ....Ian
email (option): julie@wright52.plus.com
It certainly is...I would love to find a few M20 parts in that condition...the dilemma now is whether to repaint it...perhaps you should build an entire bike to match it John?....Ian
email (option): julie@wright52.plus.com
I have that First Armored Division sign stenciled on the tank of one of my M20s. I saw someone wearing this brand of clothes once, and did a double-take at the logo on it
email (option): m20wc51@yahoo.com
As you can see Doug, John's is the early standing rhino and yours is the later charging item (on a black ground). It's nice to see these 'variations on a theme'
This is John's G3 which was a BEF abandoned machine.
doug talking about switching tanks how about having a collection of say 4 tanks with different div signs on them you could change the tank and say this is my other bike dont think anybody take a lot of notice of the C number so this could stay the same on all the tanks PS has anybody got a couple of spare tanks going cheap painted with div signs would be nice
email (option): roger.back@node6.com
for those fashion conscious WD riders.....the 1st AD insignia has also been adopted by Mark Ecko as his corporate logo. Interestingly enough for a fashion and lifestyle guy, he was involved in the Wounded Warrior Project in NY last year.
I am sure most if not all of you have seen his fashion styles. He owns the famous Avirex line of flying jackets and apparel.
Eric
Hi Eric...He makes some nice jackets...do you know the reason for the 'bar' over the 'O' of 'Ecko'?..Ian
email (option): julie@wright52.plus.com