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The Register for Morris Minors
once used by the Government. Affiliated
to the Morris Minor Owners Club
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HISTORY Crown vehicles were usually sold via auctions at the RUDDINGTON ORDNANCE STORAGE AND DISPOSAL DEPOT. This was situated on the A60, about 5miles south of Nottingham and was the RAOC's facility for the disposal of surplus equipment. After the war, there was a lot of surplus stock and much of it was acquired by other countries in order to replenish their depleted fleets. What was left over was sold at the newly converted Ordnance Factory at Ruddington. The first sale was in July 1946 and included Austin 10 HP 'Light Utilities' (Tillies), the precursors of our Morris 1000s. There were auctions half a dozen times a year from then until the depot closed in June 1983.
The auctions were conducted by Messrs Walker, Walton, Hanson of Nottingham
and although most lots went to the Trade, it was possible for private
bidders to make purchases. Many Crown vehicles went through these auctions
and this explains the diverse range of Government Department vehicles
which were available. Most were sold to specialist dealers who subsequently
sold to the public. Some ex-BAOR Each vehicle was sold with an Auction Release Note and, in the case of Military Vehicles, this document is necessary for establishing its military identity in the event of the Military Registration Number not being marked on it (e.g RAF and RN vehicles). This document was given to the local licensing office when the vehicle was first registered and may or may not be still available. PROCUREMENT Vehicles for the various Government Departments were purchased by contract and distributed to the relevant agency. Ministry of Works, latterly Property Services Agency (PSA). Maintained all Government Estate both Civil and Military and had offices at all Military bases. Morris 1000s formed part of the "small vehicle fleet" of Government self drive vehicles. They were used by workers and others around the site and for other tasks such as Pay Runs etc. High visibility yellow roofs were sometimes applied to those used on airfields. They had civilian registrations pre-allocated in blocks (usually London). They were supplied through the main workshops at Keynsham or Biggleswade and disposed of at Ruddington when either 5yrs old or after 55,000 miles, though many were kept for longer as they were so reliable. CENTRAL VEHICLE DEPOTS When Morris Minors were purchased by the Ministry of Defence they were
initially sent to Central Vehicle Depots throughout the country and abroad
and from these were dispatched to the appropriate Service Unit. The depots
were at Hilton (Derby), DATA PLATES Many Crown vehicles had data plates attached and these gave varying amounts
of Code Number: The Army Vehicle Code (AVC) will be 1140/0659 (UK), 1140/3659
Nato Code: This was used at this time by the RAF and is basically a stores reference number. RAF vehicles carried this number on the data plate. CES Number: This is the Complete Equipment Schedule Number and refers
to the In addition, the plate also includes the designation: Car Utility 4x2 Morris1000, also the contract number, the military registration number and the chassis number. PICTORIAL SIGNS The Morris Minor, in common with all other military vehicles at that
time, would have had two insignia attached. On the offside side would be
the unit sign and on the nearside the formation sign. The formation sign
could be that of the District to which the vehicle was attached, e.g. SE
District Tiger's Head or NW District Red Rose. These were used in the UK
until about 1978 when they were replaced by a numerical code to represent
the operational unit. A small Union Flag transfer was also attached. BAOR
used the numerical system. Military Police vehicles had a 4x4 MP sign and
the District sign on the rear doors. Also a roof mounted "Military
Police" sign and flashing light. Those used by the RAOC on Bomb
Disposal duties had bright red wings and an Explosive Ordnance Disposal
signboard together with a blue flashing light on the roof. Royal Engineers
vehicles had 'Bomb Disposal' on the board. (for examples of pictorial
signs see 'Gallery'). RAF Minors sometimes
wore roundels on the grille. Note: We have records of most chassis numbers of ex -military Morris
Minors (except RN vehicles), so we can usually establish the age of a
vehicle. RAF: Dept of Research and Information Services, INFORMATION If you have any information about Minors in service and/or pictures,
we would be glad to receive it. If you would like to display your vehicle
in our 'Gallery' section, please send
a picture (6x4) or good quality digital camera
image (eg 5MP j-peg). FURTHER READING Army Badges and Insignia
Since 1945 (Book 1) Guido
Rosignoli British Army Cloth Insignia
(1940 to the Present) Brian L.Davis Badges on Battledress (Post
War Formation Signs) Howard L.Cole Bombs to Butterflies
(History of Ruddington O.S.D.D) Margaret Lawson
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