Acronyms used by the British Army

The acronyms used by the Army can be confusing, but there are some very useful guides, not least that produced by the MOD (MOD Acronyms and Abbreviations).

Other sources

The Long Long trail

This web site has an excellent page on Common British Military abbreviations

Defence Suppliers Directory

This page is a selection from the list of current standard military abbreviations to assist defence suppliers.

British Military Abbreviations (US, 1943)

This document was produced as a guide for US Officers on the differences between US and UK Military terminology, and contains an excellent section on Birtish Military Abbreviations current in 1943. The document was only declassified in 2003.

There are a few acronyms that appear to be specific to Vehicle records, and these are listed below

Vehicle record acronyms

Army Book 562

There was an "Army Book 562" for each military vehicle. It was more than just a registration document. Apart from serial numbers it also contained asset codes, key numbers & quantities, the reliability classification, servicing history, workshop repairs, engine & gearbox change histories, EMER modifications., etc. Consequently, if you are lucky enough to have this book for your vehicle, it makes very interesting reading.

ADPCON

Automatic Data Processing Conversion, which means the vehicle data was then entered into a computer system. This could take several weeks after it was received into the depot

APO

the Army Pay Office at Ashton-under-Lyme

Colour code

The colour code describes the colour and finish of a vehicle. The first digit describes the colour, and the second the finish.

Colour codes

Colour	Finish
0_ Multi 1_ Red 2_ Blue 3_ Yellow 4_ Brown 5_ Black 6_ Orange 7_ Green 8_ White 9_ Grey or Silver A_ Army Green B_ Beige C_ Army Commercial Colour C3 Beige/Stone CH Champagne G_ Gold N_ RN Blue N3 Grey/Green NI N/K Northern Ireland P_ Purple Q_ Turquoise R_ RAF Blue S_ Sand V_ Silver Z_ Bronze	_1 Matt _2 Gloss _3 Trade Finish _4 Disruptive Pattern _5 Distinctive Pattern _6 IRR _7 Disruptive Pattern IRR _8 Distinctive Pattern IRR

CVD

Central Vehicle Depot, Ashchurch

DIS

Date in service

TXN

The date of a transaction, such as delivery or acceptance of a vehicle.

UIN

Unit Identification Number. Originlly it was the Unit Imprest Number, describing the Unit Imprest Account of the unit to the Royal Army Pay Corps (RAPC), though its value became apparent outside the RAPC and it evolved into the Unit Identitification Number. Army units always began with A and permanent units always ended with A

VBP

Vehicle Book Processed. This meant that the details of Army Book 562 were entered onto database. There would probably be an ADPCON DATE, and often this is withing a few days of the vehicle arriving at the depot.

VBT

Vehicle Book Transferred (possibly) with a date. This means details of the event, with a date, had been entered into Army Book 562.

Vehicle Depot, Ashchurch, Gloucestershire

VSD

Vehicle Supply Depot