Hello!

Perusing the internet this week I found wartime pictures of a Matchless with a census number that could be really close to mine! The pics are blurry but it looks like it could be C5802695 which is only 15 away from my C5802710. What do you think?
The rider in the picture, Gordon Prime, was a RASC despatch rider, does the 54 refer to 54 division?






The story:

http://www.southwales-eveningpost.co.uk/Toss-coin-saved-life-Welsh-veteran-WW2-France/story-21269868-detail/story.html

It's really nice to see a couple of pictures together which show us both the Arm of Service serial number and the Formation sign.

The spearpoint sign indicates 1 Corps and the AoS sign has the white 'Corps Troops' line above it.

The serial numbers varied in the course of the war but certainly in 1944, the number '54' (on a red / green diagonal background) with bar above indicated 'Corps Transport Company, RASC'.

Bas and I were very lucky to meet mr Prime on the beaches of Arromanches on June the 7th this year...

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Despite his 90 years he talked like he still was 20 years of age. What a nice man!

Regards,
Sven

email (option): snvosselman@gmail.com

Hello!

Perusing the internet this week I found wartime pictures of a Matchless with a census number that could be really close to mine! The pics are blurry but it looks like it could be C5802695 which is only 15 away from my C5802710. What do you think?
[/quote]

I agree with your interpretation of the number. I looked at the pic in a bit of software I have and it cleared it up slightly.

So near, yet so far !

Thanks for the replies!

Based on the close census numbers as well as Mr. Primes story I've decided to model the markings on my bike after his.
Being relatively new to this I was hoping the group (Rik?) would be willing to help me out with a couple things...
First, its hard to tell from the pictures, but what would the background be under the white corps troop line on the left side of the tank (background to the number 54)? Would it be the formation sign, something else, or nothing at all?
Also, would anything be stenciled on the white bars on either side of the tank?
Would the bike be likely to have any other markings, such as something on the rear mudguard?

Any and all help is appreciated!

Thanks!!

email (option): garyc A.T. netflash D.O.T. net

Gary, the '54' is applied to the red / green diagonal coloured RASC arm of service background (I believe red top right, green below).

The circle underneath on the lorry is the bridging plate.

Normally nothing applied to the corps bar. Some training schools and home units applied some detail there but for security reasons, this would not have been the case with vehicles sent to France.

By this stage in the war, normally no formation sign (corps sign in this case) applied to motorcycles.

There are sometimes numbers visible on mudguards. Units were permitted to apply individual vehicle identifiers.

Thanks for the quick reply Rik!

You mention that by this stage in the war, normally no formation sign / corps sign would be applied to motorcycles. Does this mean that his bike (built Nov/Dec '43) would not have had the markings in the picture when in Europe?

Gary

The 'Formation Sign' is the 1 Corps spearhead and the Matchless as photographed is correct for 1943 / 44 with simply the RASC 'Arm of Service' sign. This would normally be applied to both sides of the fuel tank, as per the photos. There seems to be no unit serial number visible on the timing side of that particular machine but the photo may not be from precisely the same date as the other.

Many owners do allow a bit of licence and apply the 'Formation Sign' to the right hand side of the fuel tank but strictly speaking, this was an ealier war practice that was discontinued for reasons that are not made clear by the relevant Army Council Instructions.

The motorcycle as photographed is actually spot-on for service in N.W. Europe 1944 - 45

Thanks Rik!

Nice pictures, BTW the truck in the background is a Mack.

Cheers,

Lex

email (option): welbike@xxxbike.net