What was the '14 BSD' unit? (North AFrica, 1942>)

[beaty1961]

Hello,

I am researching my father's military history - I know he was a member of the RASC, and that he was a part of a unit called '14 BSD' at a place called Mersa Matru...

But can anyone shed any light on what this unit was, what it did and was it a part of the order of line of the 8th Army?

Many thanks - any information would be greatly appreciated.

Steve Beat

[403520]

14 BSD is the short form of 14 Base Supply Depot. In those days food suupplied to the army passed along a chain of units from base areas forward to fighting units at the "sharp end". 14 BSD would have held many tons of assorted food stuffs (I suggest mostly in tins or sacks of dry items like flour, dried vegetables). It would have been a support unit for 8th Army, but not a "fighting formation" although it would have been prepared to defend itself if attacked.