254th Indian Tank Brigade – Vehicle Markings

Whilst undergoing conversion to the Churchill tank at Ahmednagar, on 12th July 1945, the Headquarters, 254th Indian Tank Brigade issued a vehicle markings guide which was to be adopted “forthwith”.  

At the time the order was issued, a decision on the Brigade Sign to be adopted had yet to be taken but was expected very shortly.  When issued, the Brigade Sign was to be painted on the offside front mudguard or front glacis and on the nearside rear of vehicles, and not on half the serial number plate.[1]

It is not known if a new Brigade Sign was eventually adopted or, if it was, what it looked like.  The Churchill Mk VII exhibit at the Cavalry Tank Museum, Ahmednagar, carries a Brigade Sign which the author has been unable to identify (left).[2]  

The 254th Indian Tank Brigade abandoned conversion to the Churchill in late September 1945, on being posted to the North West Frontier, under the Headquarters, Northern Command.  In December 1945, at Risalpur, the Brigade was redesignated the 3rd Indian Independent Armoured Brigade.  In August 1947, it was redesignated once again, this time becoming the 3rd Armoured Brigade (Independent) but was disbanded shortly afterwards.[3]

The markings and unit serial numbers were:

The story of the Churchill tank in Burma and India, and of the conversion of the 254th Indian Tank Brigade to Churchills is told here:  Churchill Tanks in Burma and India.

10 April 2018