Autonumerology

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Pardon me - Your number is showing

Have you ever visited a really big scrap-yard? If so you may, perhaps, have seen obviously ex-R.A.F. types, Jimmy Edwards “handlebars” at the bristle, peering hopefully at the derelict cars. Could you guess what they are looking for? It is the chance in a million of finding a number-plate dear to their hearts – either their initials and the elusive”1” or, perhaps, their old Squadron markings and Squadron number – ME488 or 488ME, for instance, would make glad of a former member of No. 488 (N.Z.) Night-fighter Squadron and PS264 would satisfy those who survived the “Battle of Britain” combats in the Defiants which bore these code letters for No. 264 Squadron.
Recently one officer did achieve success-a victory for the Army when Major David Sheard, a Leeds optician, traced to a scrap-yard the number plate OC520, fitted to an ancient Ford. Luckily the log-book was also there and a transfer was made, so that the light blue sports car now seen in Yorkshire bears a most suitable registration – for Major Sheard is O.C. 520 Company, R.A.S.C.(T.A.). The C.O. No. 520 Squadron, R.A.F., will now have to search for the registration 2M, the code carried carried on the Squadron’s Hudson and Halifax meteorological aircraft.
If you would like to know the fascinating story of the very first registration A1 – now on its 33rd car, a Vanguard in Leicester – and about many of the cars owned by celebrities, you can buy a little book, beautifully printed and well illustrated, price 3s. including postage, from Flt. Lt. Leslie Hunt, 90 Woodside, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex. This booklet has been compiled by ex-R.A.F. navigator Noel Woodall, and the profits from the sales go to “Trueloves” Home for Seriously Crippled Boys at Ingatestone, Essex, so you will be doing a very good turn at the same time.