FCWM: Fordson Van Unveiling

FORDSON VAN UNVEILING

February 17, 2010 was a fitting conclusion to 10 years of effort on the part of the Friends of the Canadian War Museum in financing the acquisition and restoration of a van that was well known to British civilians during the Second World War. On this day, in a joint ceremony between the FCWM and the Museum, the Fordson Van was unveiled, bringing to a successful conclusion the Friends investment of $15,000

Bill Leach at the unveiling

In 1941, 450 Fordson Food Vans were donated by Henry and Edsel Ford to Britain for the purpose of delivering relief to the victims of the German air raids as well as their rescuers. The vans were originally based on the Ford E83W delivery van introduced in 1938. This was then modified to acquire a rear compartment sufficiently large to provide standing room to the Food Van volunteers as they served their welcome food. The compartment was also equipped with wooden cabinets and a stove. Side hatches were also part of the design that when opened created an awning over the service window. Pre-cooked meals were delivered in the vans but the ever-present tea was prepared as needed.

The very first of these "Ford Emergency Food Vans" was acquired by the Canadian War Museum in 1999, from a private owner in Michigan. It was in a very derelict condition and has been lovingly restored over the past 10 years to its original state. A team of voluntary restorers laboured off an on over this period as parts became available, including a member of the Friends, Neil Johnstone. The van is painted in the traditional colours of light grey over dark grey with a red stripe running around the body. In addition to being "number one" the van also carries a plaque signifying that it was inspected by the King and Queen on September 16, 1941. Another sign also signifies that it was "Maintained Voluntarily by R.H. Paterson & Co. Ltd., Forth St. Works, Newcastle on Tyne" because it was primarily used in that area of England.

Both Bill Leach, President of the Friends, and Mark O'Neill, Director General of the CWM, provided remarks at the ceremony. Many Friends as well as members of the public and media attended. In particular, Mr. O'Neil thanked the Friends by saying that "We're proud of our partnership with the Friends of the Canadian War Museum through which we have been able to ensure the preservation of this important artefact for all Canadians".

In his remarks, Lt. Gen. (Ret'd) Leach reflected on the Friends commitment to the building of the Museum through its fundraising effort that raised over $16 million. He continued by saying that “in our 25th year of operation, we are very pleased to continue this tradition by providing similar help and financial support for the acquisition and restoration of the Fordson Van".

Another highlight of the ceremony was provided by Mike Hind, another Friend, whose mother worked as a volunteer in just such a van. While he was very young at the time, the knowledge of his mother's work inspired his interest in the Food Van and the service provided by the volunteers. As an example of this, he provided us with an anecdote about just such an experience, at a barrage balloon site, from the book "Voices from the Home Front":

"An alert was sounded - they (the customers) immediately left us and went about their jobs and we started to pack up to leave for the next place. We heard guns firing in the distance and saw the crews getting the balloon higher - no easy task in the gale that was then blowing. I had turned my back and was engaged in buttering the buns when the van received a terrific crump - it shook and shuddered all over, seemed to right itself and then finally slowly tottered over on its nearside, incidentally smashing the serving hatch, which we had not yet shut. Mrs. Clouston and myself, almost too surprised for speech, found ourselves lying at very queer angles in the van covered in stock which had fallen in all directions, and tea, milk and sugar which was everywhere but in cups. We found the door had jammed but willing helpers soon released us and we crawled out to learn the balloon, momentarily out of control, had hit the top of the van and that for an instant the wheels had been entangled in the guy ropes."

Following the remarks, the restorers, accompanied by Bill Leach and Mark O'Neill, official unveiled of the van, dramatically revealing the fruits of their labours over the years. Many of the audience, the media representatives and visiting school groups clustered around to get a closer look. Good coverage in both newspapers and on television was also obtained for this auspicious event.
A more detailed article about the van's specifications and one man's experience with the CWM vehicle can be found at the B.C. Old English Car Club web site

More photographs of the van restoration can be found in the Photo Galleries at Fordson Van Restoration gallery.