British Columbia National Defence License Plates

The "N" prefix plates were issued to vehicles maintained by the Department of National Defence (DND) starting, it is thought, in 1942 and continuing through to 1969 (after which date DND began to issue their own plate).

When this plate type was phased out in 1970 it was thought that approximately 3,800 vehicles in the province would be affected. Apparently, the Federal government was only paying the province $2.00 for each set of plates issued for use on its vehicles.

1942 - 1948

1943

1944

1945

Issuing Statistics

1942:	N1 to N600
1943:	unknown
1944:	unknown
1945:	unknown
1946:	unknown
1947:	unknown
1948:	unknown

1946

1947

1948

1942 Oddball

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This is one of those oddballs that surfaces from time-to-time and simply defies explanation. Despite the available MVB information indicating only 600 "N" plates were issued in 1942, we know from the other example shown above that the actual number is quite higher than that, while the "ND-76J" plate shown immediately above would seem to indicate that the number is actually quite higher. It is assumed that the "ND" denotes "National Defence", but why or how the two additional letters was used is a mystery.

Pacific Coast Militia Rangers (PCMR)

New Westminster	Grand Forks
Penticton

Pictured above are two Pacific Coast Militia Ranger (PCMR) plates from Bill Hobbis' collection (No2. 117 & 129). I was not aware of these plates unitl Bill recently alerted me to their existence. Also shown is a wood plate (No. 71) that was donated to the City of Penticton Archives.

The following information is borrowed from the CFB Esquimalt Naval & Military Museum web site at www.navalandmilitarymuseum.org.

The PCMR began as the Coastal Defence Guards and were organized into the Pacific Coast Militia Rangers (PCMR) in 1942 to protect British Columbia and calm public unease over possible enemy activities following the attack at Pearl Harbour and declaration of war against Japan.

The PCMR's drew their ranks from men deemed to be exeperienced in the bush such as loggers, trappers, prospectors and ranchers as local mitlia's were deemed to be ill-suited for the rugged landscape of the back country and more effective in the urban environment

It is understoof that there were approximately 138 different companies formed across the province which operated through the War before being stood down on September 30th, 1945. Should you wish to read more about the Rangers please Click Here.

1949 - 1951

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1950

Issuing Statistics

1949:	unknown
1950:	unknown
1951:	unknown

1952 - 1953

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1953

Issuing Statistics

1952:	unknown
1953:	unknown

1954

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Issuing Statistics

1954:

unknown

1955 - 1963

1956

1957

Issuing Statistics

1955:	unknown
1956:	unknown
1957:	unknown
1958:	unknown
1959:	unknown
1960:	unknown
1961:	unknown
1962:	unknown
1963:	unknown

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1964 - 1969: "Beautiful" Slogan

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Issuing Statistics

1964:	N1 to N2-400
1965:	N1 to N2-400
1966:	N1 to N2-400
1967:	N1 to N2-200
1968:	N1 to N2-200
1969:	N1 to N2-200

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Post-'N' Prefix Military Plates
	After 1969, the Federal Government in Ottawa opted to introduce a standarised licnese plate for use on its vehicles throughout the country. The plate shown at left is a sample of this.

Motorcyle

Issuing Statistics

1942:	N1 to N250
1943:	unknown
1944:	unknown
1945:	unknown

British Columbia Military Base License Plates
CLICK HERE	Originally opened by the Canadian Air Board in 1920 as the Jericho Beach Air Station, the site was turned over to the newly formed RCAF in 1925 and became one of several Flying Boat Stations established on the west coast. In 1942, the site would become home to the Army's Pacific Command Headquartes. The detachment was formally closed in 1996. It is not yet known what the precise purpose of this license plate, orthers like it might have been. Source: Military Bruce
CLICK HERE	The RCAF established a presence at the Vancouver Airport on July 22, 1940 under the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan as No.8 Elementary Flying Training School. The station remained open after World War II and was re-named RCAF Station Sea Island, but this was later changed to RCAF Station Vancouver. The Station was ultimately closed in 1964. It is not yet known what the precise purpose of this license plate, orthers like it might have been.

	Due to the threat of Japanese incendiary balloons established an airfield at Tofino with access by logging road and water. It is thought the base was operational until 1958. It is not yet known what the precise purpose of this license plate, orthers like it might have been.