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John Norris

Articles From This Author

Twins Martha and Mary Joyce, age 19, cheerfully smiled for a photo in February 1943 while the pair were studying radio communications at the Case School of Applied Science in Cleveland.
Photographs and Ephemera

'Tis the season for treasure hunting

By John Norris
Southwick Village in Hampshire operates a Bedford OB dating from 1951 during the village’s annual wartime weekend.
4. Military Vehicle History and Research

Catching the bus! Wartime vehicles taking a different road

By John Norris
This M14 with Quad .50-cal. machine guns, would have supported the British 6th Armed Division, whose badge is displayed on the gun shield. The vehicle was a museum display in itself with all the items draped across it from helmets to ammunition boxes.
6. Military Vehicle Show and Rally Reports

Double the Fun! White Horse Show 2024

By John Norris
A member of the Despatch Dames riding a BSA M20.
Military Vehicles in the News

‘Despatch Dames’

By John Norris
Mary Roberts driving “Amber” the Morris CS11/30F Ambulance into the display arena at this year’s Wartime in the Vale Show.
4. Military Vehicle History and Research

The last of the breed: The Morris Commercial CS11/30 and SC11/30F ambulances

By John Norris
VC-6;
Military History

American Made HOnly 5 American-born men have earned England’s highest honor: The Victoria Crosseroes

By John Norris
Char-3
Military History

‘Car boots’, tanks and unexpected finds

By John Norris
ST-6;
4. Military Vehicle History and Research

Austrian Icon: The Steyr 1500A

By John Norris
Grenelle, 2nd from left, “skippered” the Diana in June 1940.
Military History

The historic ‘Diana’ and Operation Aerial

By John Norris
This impressive and heavy mixed load was transported to a U.K. show all the way from France.
MV 101: Military Vehicle Hobby Info

Getting the show on the road: Moving the equipment is a show of its own

By John Norris
The years have been hard on the Vimoutiers Tiger and it is showing its age after being out in the open for 80 years without any protection.
Military History

The Tiger of Vimoutiers

By John Norris
The view from the cemetery once held by the Germans looking across Omaha Beach.
Military History

Stepping on hallowed ground at Colleville - St. Laurent

By John Norris
The Staghound had many features that made it a standout vehicle, including the headlight arrangement, towing points and angle of glacis plate along with the good ground clearance. This example is shown in the markings of the Guards Armoured Division with the “ever-open eye” badge.
4. Military Vehicle History and Research

A look at the 'Staghound'

By John Norris
Demonstrating its cross-country ability, this SdKfz 7 enters a display arena during a mobility show.
4. Military Vehicle History and Research

A look at the SdKfz

By John Norris
The George Cross, the design of which has not changed in the more than 80 years since its institution.
Medals

The history behind the George Cross

By John Norris
5;-Ranger-AP-mine-dispenser-fitted-to-Combat-Support-Boat
4. Military Vehicle History and Research

A look at combat support boats

By John Norris
The restored front of the house at Dead Man’s Corner gives the shrine a unique look.
Military History

A visit to Dead Man’s Corner Museum

By John Norris
Cush-9
1. Military Vehicles Smaller than Quarter Ton (bikes, motorcycles, hand carts, etc.)

The Flying Scooter: A look at the Cushman Model 53

By John Norris
One of the former hotels used as a dining hall for the troops in Bude.
Military History

Bude: When the British town went to war

By John Norris
A 1940 Austin 8AP used as an Army liaison vehicle. It was formerly a pre-war “Tourer.”
2. Quarter Ton Military Vehicles (Jeeps, etc.)

A look at the 'Tilly' a WWII trooper

By John Norris
The Gay Archer, at her mooring in Watchet Harbour, was launched in 1952 and had a distinguished career as a torpedo patrol boat.
4. Military Vehicle History and Research

A Trip Aboard P1014: HMS Gay Archer

By John Norris
SH-1;;-Southwick-House
Military History

The secret role of England's Southwick House

By John Norris
This 1954 Explorer Mk II, complete with REME badge on the front, is giving a helping hand to another Explorer at a show.
5. Two and a Half Ton Military Vehicles (CCKW, M135, M211, M35, etc.)

A look at the Scammell Explorer

By John Norris
Screen-Shot-2023-07-17-at-12.23.06-PM
Museums

Hands-on history

By John Norris
FH-4_
Military History

Exercise Smash: A grandstand view at Studland Bay

By John Norris
This M4A4 version of the Sherman, dated 1942, is known to have been used during Operation Market Garden in September 1944.
6. Military Vehicle Show and Rally Reports

It's the Big Dig

By John Norris
Note the size of the M1 HE shell.
Firearms and Ordnance

Many armies, one weapon: The M-56

By John Norris
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Museums

Ready to roll in the UK

By John Norris
MC-16;
1. Military Vehicles Smaller than Quarter Ton (bikes, motorcycles, hand carts, etc.)

A look at the British bikes from WWI

By John Norris
The rugged and ready M113 “Little Annie Fanny” had no problems with this water obstacle.
7. Tanks, Armor, and Tracked Military Vehicles

Getting dirty in a M113 armored personnel carrier

By John Norris
For its compact size the M29 was a powerful vehicle and served well in the logistics supply role.
7. Tanks, Armor, and Tracked Military Vehicles

The Wonder of the Weasel

By John Norris
SMP-4;
Military History

John's Journal: Shepton Mallet Prison

By John Norris
This Swiss Panzer 61/68 is used for public displays.
International

A look into the Muckleburgh Military Collection

By John Norris
A compact vehicle, versions of the R200 remained in service until the end of the war.
2. Quarter Ton Military Vehicles (Jeeps, etc.)

A look at the Stoewer R200 radio vehicle

By John Norris
The steering wheel offset to the driver’s right-hand side and showing low ground clearance.
3. Half to Three Quarter Ton Vehicles (Mules, WCs, M37s, etc.)

The mini marvel

By John Norris
Members of the 17th Airborne re-enactment group take turns with the M18 RCL 57mm recoilless anti-tank rifle that was used by troops in World War II, Korea and Vietnam.
Firearms and Ordnance

Add some 'pop' to your collection

By John Norris
This row of residents’ cottages gives us a glimps into what Tyneham village, Dorset, was before World War II.
Military History

Tyneham: a village that gave everything

By John Norris
The canvas tarpaulin and driver’s cab roof could be removed if the role required it. Also, each panel of the windscreen could be raised or lowered independently.
4. 1 to 2-ton Vehicles (M715s,CUCVs, HMMWVs, GTBs, G-506s, etc.)

A Rugged Renault

By John Norris
FV432s could negotiate water obstacles up to 42 inches depth. This version is also fitted with an armoured turret mounting a GPMG.
7. Tanks, Armor, and Tracked Military Vehicles

The British Army's FV430 Series

By John Norris
Pic-1_c
1. Military Vehicles Smaller than Quarter Ton (bikes, motorcycles, hand carts, etc.)

A look at the British Norton 'Big 4'

By John Norris
Mem-1;
Military History

The 'Friendly Invasion' set in stone

By John Norris
The roof hatches allowed up to six infantrymen to fire their weapons from the cover of the vehicle without dismounting.
7. Tanks, Armor, and Tracked Military Vehicles

8 is enough!

By John Norris
FH-2;
2. Quarter Ton Military Vehicles (Jeeps, etc.)

Vive 'La Jeep'

By John Norris
8;-Mill-event-006
3. Half to Three Quarter Ton Vehicles (Mules, WCs, M37s, etc.)

A look at the Clarkator 6

By John Norris
3
Medals

From 'His Majesty the King'

By John Norris
Kaiser Wilhelm I, whose reign as Emperor began on 18 January 1871 at Versailles, instituted the medal known as Kriegsdenkmunze fur die Feldzuge 1870-71 (War Commemorative Medal 1870-71). The obverse has the motto and an otherwise simple design. There are some slight damage marks to the edge which would affect the price. The reverse of the medal shows the intricacies of the design.
Medals

Pursuit of the Prussian prize

By John Norris
WH-13;-Mk.-V-B56;-2nd-Battalion-Tank-Corps-at-Lamotte-en-Santerre-on-8th-August-1918_bw
7. Tanks, Armor, and Tracked Military Vehicles

A WWI movie star

By John Norris
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6. Wheeled Military Vehicles Larger than 2-1/2-tons

A heavy truck for heavy business: The AEC Matador

By John Norris
The Champ was fitted with a removable canvas roof and side panels. The long pipe-like device above the wheel arch is the snorkel for use during deep water wading.
2. Quarter Ton Military Vehicles (Jeeps, etc.)

All bets on the Austin Champ

By John Norris
3/4 view along the left hand side of the Morris LRC MkII showing the large run-flat tyres ideal for cross-country work. The good ground clearance is also evident.
7. Tanks, Armor, and Tracked Military Vehicles

Morris Light Recon Car

By John Norris