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The Great War (1914-1918) Forum

Remembered Today:

Wagons and Carts


AndrewFrench

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Can anyone tel me the difference between and wagon and a cart ?

I was prompted looking at the equipment table for a mobilised Yeomanry regiment in 1914 gives (I have not included pack horses)

RHQ

1 x Cart for Med Equpt 1 x dvr 1 x draught horse

MG Sect

2 x Cart for MGs 2 x dvr 4 x draught horse

2 x Cart for ammo 2 x dvr 4 x draught horse

3no Sqns (each)

1 x Cart for ammo 1 x dvr 2 x draught horse

1 x Cart for tools & sig eqpt 1 x dvr 2 x draught horse

Second Line Tpt

1 x Water Cart 1 x dvr 1 x draught horse

7 x Wagons for baggage & stores 7 x dvr 7 x draught horse

I have taken as my source Col John Sainsbury's book on Hertfordshire Yeomanry Arms and Equipment p58 which quotes the relevant AOs

I am aware what the wagon GS and a limbered wagon GS were, but what the difference between wagon and cart in military terms ?

Regards

Andrew

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Two wheels versus four? One axle versus two? That would be my guess.

All the best,

Gary

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Number of wheels. Carts have 2 wheels, Wagons (including limbered wagons) have 4. The bible is Horse Drawn Transport of the British Army by D J Smith. Other factors such as stability, wheel base (carts were more narrow) and line of march - wagons took up less space per tonnage etc. Carts were preferred for short haul and mountainous areas. Basically carts were more manoeuvreable (sp?) but wagons more stable, efficient (tonnage per horsepower).

A gem of a book. £0.75 plus P&P. Bargain.

There were

Ambulance Cart

Maltese Carts (tools etc)

Water Carts

SAA Carts (last in 1903)

GS Wagons Mark I to Mark XI

GS Wagon Special

SAA Wagon (limbered)

GS Limbered Wagons

Ambulance wagons

Light Ambulance Wagon

RE Train Wagon

Pontoon Wagon

Trestle Wagon

Wire Wagon

Office Wagon

Air-line Wagon

Mobile pigeon lofts

RA Wagons

RAMC Wagons

Field Hospital Wagons

AVC horse ambulance

Trvelling field cookers

MG

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Thanks Gary - its certainly possible

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Thanks Martin

A mine of useful information as usual

Regards

Andrew

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