eaw023709 ENGLAND (1949) [Unlocated]. The "Empire Celtic" ferrying a cargo of lorries on the River Thames, 1949. This image has been produced from a print.

BEDFORD QLR ADMINISTRATION AND COMMAND BRITISH ARMY TRUCKS. At the outbreak of WW II, Bedford was contracted by the British War Office to produce a 3 tons 4 x 4 general service truck. Bedford produced a series of versions with the QLR version for use in Command and Signals roles and other versions for General Service and Troop Carrier roles. The QLR used by Canada, perhaps due to shortages of the Canadian Military Pattern versions of Signals vehicles. A pilot model was ready in February 1940 and quantity production started in March 1941. The Bedford QL was in production from 1941 to 1945 and was Bedford's first vehicle series built for the military. The QLR's (Signals vehicle) Originally mounted on the QLC chassis/cab, special QLR chassis were soon put into production, which differed from the standard type in having special electrical equipment, radio suppression, fitment of a 660 W auxiliary generator driven by the transfer case power-take-off and, like the QLT, two 16 gallon petrol tanks instead of one behind the cab. The interior furniture, partitioning and radio equipment varied from the different functions. On vehicles installed for the wireless role, a tent could be erected at the rear. Between cab and man body were lockers for aerial masts and other equipment. Beneath the body were further lockers and racks for cable drums, batteries, tyre chains, 20 gallon drinking water tank, rectifier box, tools, fuel tank for the auxiliary engine, jerrycans and other items. The basic body shells were produced by Duple, Lagonda, Mulliner, Tickford and others. A revised body was introduced in during 1944 for the Command High and Low Power and Wireless High Power roles. This body had an improved "L"-shaped tent which could be erected alongside the left-hand side and rear of the body. As the photo is dated 1949, these must have been gathered up from all over Europe and brought back home on this date.