The Morris Field Artillery Tractor or Quad was an iconic vehicle of World War 2. My Morris Quad is a C8 Mk III with the characteristic "Beetle back" fondly remembered from Airfix kits. The Morris C8 Field Artillery Tractor (FAT) is characteristically linked with a towed limber and 25 pdr field gun. Quantity production began in 1939 with the quad serving with the British army into the late 1950s.
Background
I purchased my Morris quad in April 2011. I had seen small advert in "Recalling" the magazine of the Morris Commercial Club.It was located in Kent - I was fortunate that my brother (who lives in Kent) was able to visit and take photos for me. With the help of the late Richard Stoodley I arranged a visit and bought the quad. It was very much a barn find complete with several layers of droppings!
With the help of Chris Alsopp (JMA transport) I was able to move the quad back to Southport.
It was very much a long term project and, as always, real life does get in the way!!
The restoration
The first stage - stripping down bodywork
Thankfully, after some fettling, the engine ran.( See video). Cleaning, priming and painting the chassis and body frame was next. Thanks to Julien Morgan the quad was housed in a temporary "garage".
Work could now continue in relative comfort.
First run out (October 2022) for 40 years!!
Vehicle history
Manufacturer Morris Commercial Cars (MCC) Ltd., Adderley Park, Birmingham
Declared date of manufacture 1943
Date of registration 19th October 1981
Registration number 444 DEL
2 former owner prior to April 2011 (My ownership)
Owner 1 Jessop's Garage Limited, Dunton Green, Sevenoaks, Kent.
Owner 2 Brian Matthews, Dunton Green, Sevenoaks, Kent.
Army Vehicle history
The Morris Quad came with 2 plates fitted ( bulkhead and chassis)
Morris Commercial Cars Ltd plate
Chassis 2054 C8 6033 (This matches stamping on rear spring hanger)
Engine 25484
Ministry of Supply W.V.3 Plate
Vehicle No. 16 RD 69
Chassis No. 2051 6033 (Its interesting to see a single digit difference. Possible error on plate stamping?)
Class of repair: Overhaul: Dec 1954 MTRS no. 384 Inspection: WV5 147
(Please let me know if you have the meaning for MTRS or WV5 147)
Key Card
I was able to obtain the key card from the Royal Logistic Corps (RLC) Digital Archive
Key card extract (from above) for my Morris quad
Key Card provides the following information
Army Registration 16 RD 69 ( Matches Ministry of Supply plate)
Chassis No. 2051 6033 (see above)
Contract No. V4538
H Number 4570851
( This ties in with Wheels and Tracks info for this contract for 500 units H4570761-457260)
C8 Mk3
Disposal sales MOS FTM/3/1/572 31/12/58
( Not sure what the letters indicate - MOS (Ministry of Supply?). Any information welcome.
Date shows that quad was disposed/ sold on 31/12/58. Next record I have is 1st registration in 1981.
Do these markings under the bonnet mean anything? WSR - War Supply Reserve?
Specifications (C8 Mk III)
Length 14ft 9in Width 7ft 6in Height 7ft 9in
4 cylinder EH 3519cc side valve petrol engine 24.8 hp
70 bhp at 3000rpm - governed to 2800rpm
5 speed gear box
1st gear – 4mph, 2nd gear 7 mph, 3rd gear 14mph, 4th gear 25mph, 5th gear 43mph
8 miles per gallon 2x15 gallon petrol
Tyre size 10.50 x 16
Weight 3t 8cwt
Production history
1913 First production Morris Oxford leaves Temple Cowley, outside Oxford
1924 Morris Cowley 8cwt van
1924 February Morris Commercial Cars Ltd formed in February
1924 May First Morris Commercial produced T-Type one tonner
1929 Morris Commercial Cars moves from Foundry Lane, Soho, Birmingham to Adderley Park
1930 First Heavy Morris Commercial P-Type leader - Morris Commercial cars becomes the largest manufacturer of commercial vehicles in Europe.
1939 C8 4x4 enters quantity production
1940 C8/MG - Mobile gun introduced. Not produced in quantity
C8/AT (anti tank) with 2 pdr gun produced
1943 C8 AT converted to tow 17pdr AT gun
C8/P predictor carried Kerrison predictor apparatus for Bofors gun
C9/B SP(self propelled) Bofors vehicle with elongated chassis introduced
1944 C8 GS (General Service) prototype produced
Production history (Morris C8 Mk III)
November 1939
War Office Contract 294/V3539 1,000 units Sanction No. 1587
MK I First 200 chassis referred to as Mk I with axle provision for differential lock.
WD registration H4107701 - 4107900
Mk II chassis simplified axles (no provision for diff locks and WD pattern drawbar)
WD registration up to H4108700
3rd January 1940
War Office Contract V3576 1, 000 units Sanction No. 1790
Mk II quads (with probable relocation of accelerator pedal)
WD registration H4162910 - 4163909
7th November 1940
War Office Contract V772 500 units (414 supplied according to Chilwell records) Sanction No. 1794
WD registration H4369929 - 4370342
War Office Contract V3825 1,000 units
WD registration H4310938 - 4311851
WD registration H 4370343 - 4370428
Last 130 chassis were Mk III (incl 30 manufactured by Austin)
War Office Contract T9587 740 units Sanction No. 1884
Mk II quads
WD registration H4494520 - 4495259
Mk III Contracts
The Mk III fitted with 10.50 x16 tyres, front axle drive can be disengaged except for 1st and reverse, 2x15 gallon tanks fitted cf 2x11 for Mk I & II, front springs fitted on top of axle housing & late chassis had double ended tie rods under axle housing.
War Office Contract V362 384 units
WD registration H4534549 - 4534932
War Office Contract V4105 600 units
WD registration H4534933 - 4535532
War Office Contract V3957 900 units
WD registration H4549855 - 4550754
War Office Contract T626 12 units
WD registration H4566575 - 4566586
War Office Contract T9952 82 units
WD registration H4566587 - 4566668
War Office Contract V4538 500 units
WD registration H4570761 - 4571260
War Office Contract V4997 750 units
WD registration H44899091 - 4899840 First with No. 5 body Sanction No. 2209
War Office Contract V4999 1910 units (Contract no. also appeared as V/M4999)
WD registration H4900856 - 4902765
War Office Contract S2026 90 units
WD registration H 4902766 - 4902855
War Office Contract S116 250 units
WD registration H4903200 - 4903449
(Also MCC sanction 2209 s/n 13328-13577, 1944)
War Office Contract S5728 500 units
WD registration H5847350 - 5847849
Total production 10, 156
The quads bodywork was changed and improved and bodies were fitted different chassis. Early models had 2 rotating ventilators. As a result of experiences in the desert additional windows were added for ventilation and the top roof was removed to be replaced by a canvas section supported by roof bows. The fuel filler recesses were also enlarged to enable refuelling by jerry can. In 1944 the No. 5 body was introduced.
The information above is from Wheels and tracks magazine Number 29
Sources
Maintenance Manual and Instruction book
Morris Commercial Trucks, Tractor (4x4), F.A. C/8 (Mark II and Mark III)
Book No. 101/ML1A
Drivers Handbook
Morris Commercial Trucks, Tractor, F.A., Mark II and III
Book No. 100/ML 1A
Morris Commercial Instruction book
C.8 and C.9 FWD
Morris Commercial Spare parts list for Model C8/FWD (Mark II)
Questionnaire
Morris Truck Tractor, 4x4 F.A
Army Mechanical Transport School Bordon April 1947
Wheels and tracks Number 29
It contains good photographic references. Available from After the Battle.
