53RD (WELSH) DIVISION CROSSES THE FRANCO-BELGIAN FRONTIER (PART 2) [Allocated Title]

Accompanied by detachments from divisional and other units, the headquarters of the 53rd (Welsh) Division crosses a canal in the industrial quarter of Armentieres over a wooden bridge laid by sappers over a barge (?). Among the vehicles seen crossing the canal and motoring along its north bank are a Humber Pullman staff car carrying Major-General Ross (?), the divisional commander, with an escort of two MPs on motorcycles, several Humber heavy utility staff cars carrying members of his HQ staff, two Humber III light recce cars from Division HQ's defence troop, several Bedford QLR signals lorries from both a GHQ troops unit and 53rd Division HQ, several jeeps (one from 71st Brigade HQ, the other, with a trailer in tow, from Division HQ signals), a White scout car, several Bedford OY 3-ton lorries (one from a 2nd Army RA unit), Fordson WOT6 and Austin K5 3-ton lorries from Division HQ and a Dodge 3-ton lorry from the division's CMP provost company. Detachments from the 4th Battalion Royal Welch Fusiliers' six-pounder anti-tank gun platoon in Loyd carriers ride through Comines with other motorised sections of the battalion (including troops in a Bedford QL towing a mobile cooker) and the 53rd Recce Regiment past cheering townspeople.

35mm