In this, part 5 of the series, 3 selected ex-army travellers along with their owners are looked at in-depth. Each vehicle has had its history traced by their owners via the Museum of Army Transport in Beverley, unfortunately the museum has since closed and all records transferred to Deepcut Barracks in Surrey, but only a limited history checking service is currently available. The 3 vehicles featured and owners are FMW 105J (02 FK 74) John Barrett, TYC 380R (29 FH 92) Godfrey Crew and FTM 393T (39 FJ 51) owned by Alan Russell. All these vehicles carry chassis details that start MAW 5 followed by 7 digits, these being the true chassis number, these were often followed by a M or F, this is explained below.

M = Morris
A = A-series
V = Postal Van
5 = Series V (if an L appears after the 5 it indicates LHD)
Chassis number 7 digits
M or F is for the factory of assembly Cowley or Adderley Park

John Barrett purchased his traveller during 2002 for under £2000, the vehicle was basically in a sound condition when he acquired it, it was MOT’d and on the road, in fact it was driven home on the day of purchase from Southampton to Newport, Gwent without any problems. The vehicle at some time in its history has been painted in an incorrect shade of green, but it is John intension to have the vehicle re-sprayed into the correct army shade of Mid-bronze green. 02 FK 74 was registered as entering service via the Central Vehicle Depot (CVD) 18/03/1971, the traveller carried chassis number 1292088. In October of the same year it was posted to the Army Information Office in Derby, where it remained until being struck off the Military census during May 1978. The vehicle then went for disposal via the Ruddington auctions during August 1978. This Traveller or car utility 4x2 1000 as known by the army was given a civilian registration during 1980 (the date it was sold out of service) as it carried LUJ 691W, before one of the previous keeper applied for an age related plate. The traveller now carries FMW 105J, which makes it more difficult to spot as being an ex-military traveller! But John’s Traveller has had the Autumn Leaf upholstery complete with the door panels recently refitted, the carpet replaces the original rubber matting, which is no longer available. The original colour and army plate is there for all to see under the bonnet in the engine bay.

Alan Russell from Cambridge purchased his ex-army car utility 4x2 1000 during 2003 for around £500, the traveller was not MOT’d but again was in a reasonably sound condition, its need some work to cab floor and at some stage some of the timbers will need to be replaced. It is Alan’s intension to replace the complete timber, with some new Ash when time permits. He is hopeful of having the floor welded soon, he will then replace the complete braking system and have the vehicle roadworthy to pass an MOT in the not too distance future. The vehicle is still in the original livery of mid-bronze green and again is complete with its army ID plate firmly in place on the bulkhead. Alan’s interior is the original black set, complete with plain door trims and no rear arm rests. The traveller starts first time is run in a regular basis, before the photos were taken Alan decided to wash it to make it look more presentable the paintwork still shines, he even has an original rubber mat, which is a very rare item to find. This one carries chassis number 1275033 and entered service in July 1970 via the CVD at Irvine with military registration of 39 FM 51. From there in September of the same year it was posted to the Administration unit, Fremington to the Royal Corps of Transport (RCT). In September 1973 it was transferred to Royal Electrical & Mechanical Engineers (REME), to the School of Artillery at Larkhill, where it remained until being struck off the Military census during April 1978. Eventually being sold via the Ruddington auctions during 1979 as the traveller now carries civilian registration FTM 393T. Alan also has owned until recently an ex-Home office Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV) that was used by the prison service, more of that in though in part 6.

Lastly we move back to South Wales and Godfrey Crew who owns 2 ex-military travellers, one is currently dismantled and does not feature in any of the photos, but 29 FH 92 is complete and a sound basis from which Godfrey will restore it in the near future. He is undecided as to whether to recreate a replica ‘Bomb Disposal’ livery or return to all over army bronze green. Currently the traveller is painted blue and comes with a correct porcelain green interior, like the others no armrest and plain un-fluted door cards, he has painted the wings red just to see what it looks like! 29 FH 92 entered service with the army back in January 1969, it arrived at CVD, Ashchurch carrying chassis number 1234044. Unlike the other 2 features travellers this one moved about quite a bit, it was first posted to the Army Apprentice College in Arborfield during August 1969, in January 1970 it was transferred to the REME, to the School of Electronic Engineering also at Arborfield. It was again moved on in October of that year to the Central Ordinance Depot, Bicester. September 1972 saw it transferred to Action Information Organisation in Reading, which was the Headquarters for South East District for Recruiting and Staff Liaison. Over 4 years later in June 1976 it was to receive its final posting to 45 Squadron, RCT, where it remained until being struck off the Military census during October 1976. It was sold at the Ruddington Auctions during 1977 and to this day carries civilian registration TYC 380R. The other ex-army 4x2 1000 utility that Godfrey owns is 33 FH 44 that is now registered as RRB 47R with chassis number 1230169.

In parts 6, 7 & 8 we look at the LCVs used by the various Government departments, such users being the Home Office and the Ministry of Agriculture & Fisheries. Many thanks are made to the following that have contributed to this article, Alan Russell, Godfrey Crew, and John Barrett.
If you know of any ex-Ministry/Military Minors or LCVs used by any other Government departments please contact me via Minor Monthly, if you require details of the Minor LCV Register they can be obtained by contacting me via e-mail RussLCV@ClubMorris.co.uk or visit the Minor LCV Register’s website on www.minorlcvreg.tk I have also compiled a Military Traveller & ex Government LCV website at www.militaryminors.tk
© Russell Harvey

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