Discover Monty's Caravans at IWM Duxford, which help tell the story of Britain's great military commanders of the Second World War, Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery.
My granddad, Cecil Levis, was the foreman in charge at British Trailer Company and was one of a team of six who built this caravan. He and his wife's (my Grandma) nephew, Alf Marland, drove it down from Trafford Park to London, taking 11 hrs. There they met up with the rest of the shift and Mr Larkin the owner of BTC and the following day presented it to Monty. We had a photo somewhere of Monty showing King George and Sir Winston Churchill this caravan.
My grandfather was an RM Commando. Shortly after D-Day, his unit was assigned a duty that none of them wanted. They were to be HQ security for Monty. This wasn't ordered by Monty, in fact he had no idea. Grandpa was given watch on the first night, so he took the time during the day to dig himself a foxhole underneath one of the caravans. That night, he took his position and laid in wait for any potential enemy. Around midnight, the door to the caravan was opened, light flooded the area and Monty quickly stepped out holding a flashlight. He started walking around, peering off into the darkness as if he was trying to get the lay of the land. My grandfather stared in incredulity, this idiot was walking around in the darkness making himself the only visible target for miles. "PUT THAT LIGHT OUT YOU BLOODY FOOL" Monty looked mortified, he scurried back into the caravan. The next day, the unit was reassigned to frontline duties, and Grandpa was everyones favourite commando for a while.
I'v been fascinated with WW2 lorry since i was 14 years old and just found this amazing video i know that Montgomery had caravans but never know how many but it makes sense why he had these three i'v heard the story many years ago that he captured them from the Italian's but didn't know the trailer was for his maps ( Mack NR Leyland Retriever and Fordson 7V that one was the tractor unit the last two comments on the video are fascinating to read and i can just see it in my head playing out and Montgomery running back in the caravan but something i'v wanted to know for years is how did Montgomery get a signed painting of Rommel ? I'v been to Duxford 13 years ago but i think it's time for another visit just to see the caravans and in particular the Leyland
Why is there a reproduction of the equestrian statue of Cangrande della Scala on his desk??? In such a minimalistic and cramped space that is a pretty specific object to keep. I would be curious to know how it ended up there.
My granddad, Cecil Levis, was the foreman in charge at British Trailer Company and was one of a team of six who built this caravan.
He and his wife's (my Grandma) nephew, Alf Marland, drove it down from Trafford Park to London, taking 11 hrs. There they met up with the rest of the shift and Mr Larkin the owner of BTC and the following day presented it to Monty.
We had a photo somewhere of Monty showing King George and Sir Winston Churchill this caravan.
My grandfather was an RM Commando. Shortly after D-Day, his unit was assigned a duty that none of them wanted. They were to be HQ security for Monty. This wasn't ordered by Monty, in fact he had no idea.
Grandpa was given watch on the first night, so he took the time during the day to dig himself a foxhole underneath one of the caravans. That night, he took his position and laid in wait for any potential enemy. Around midnight, the door to the caravan was opened, light flooded the area and Monty quickly stepped out holding a flashlight. He started walking around, peering off into the darkness as if he was trying to get the lay of the land.
My grandfather stared in incredulity, this idiot was walking around in the darkness making himself the only visible target for miles.
"PUT THAT LIGHT OUT YOU BLOODY FOOL"
Monty looked mortified, he scurried back into the caravan.
The next day, the unit was reassigned to frontline duties, and Grandpa was everyones favourite commando for a while.
I'v been fascinated with WW2 lorry since i was 14 years old and just found this amazing video i know that Montgomery had caravans but never know how many but it makes sense why he had these three i'v heard the story many years ago that he captured them from the Italian's but didn't know the trailer was for his maps ( Mack NR Leyland Retriever and Fordson 7V that one was the tractor unit the last two comments on the video are fascinating to read and i can just see it in my head playing out and Montgomery running back in the caravan but something i'v wanted to know for years is how did Montgomery get a signed painting of Rommel ?
I'v been to Duxford 13 years ago but i think it's time for another visit just to see the caravans and in particular the Leyland
Was the map caravan made into a model kit by Matchbox in 1974?
Great stuff!
fantastic what did they use for heating if any?
Also is there a bathroom in Montgomery's office caravan ?
Why is there a reproduction of the equestrian statue of Cangrande della Scala on his desk??? In such a minimalistic and cramped space that is a pretty specific object to keep. I would be curious to know how it ended up there.
Interesting and also first!