M1500000-15999999 Census Numbered Jeeps

M15 census numbers were given to jeeps where the original identity had been lost. 
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Jeeps, and other light utility vehicles/cars in WW2 British army service used the M prefix for their census numbers. Most jeeps began with M4, M5 or M6. However, M15 was reserved for rebuilt vehicles. This was mostly for jeeps, but also included other vehicles classed as light vehicles, such as the 'Tilly', made by Morris and Austin, among others. M15 (ex - M1502620) is therefore a new rebuild of a vehicle previously in service. This was carried out at a range of military and civilian workshops, and likely began in mid 1944. Many M15 numbers would have been issued after the war had ended and the jeeps remained in service, until finally the army changed the method of Identification to the ERM numbered system (see YH & YJ jeeps), in 1949. This however was not an immediate process, and M code vehicles can be seen as late as 1950/51.

M15 jeeps are often a mix of parts as the workshops were not fussy about maintaining originality, hence the new identity. Nick Thomas' (admin) jeep is a prime example. Delivered to the military as a British contract jeep around June 1944, it likely would have been rebuilt as an M15 sometime in late 1944, suggesting it sustained substantial damage early in its life. As a result, like many M15 Jeeps it has a mix of Ford and Willys parts, non matching parts. That jeep, M1502620, was later given the ERM number 48YH27 and remained in service until sold off in 1957. It was civilian road registered that same year, and has been on the road every year since.

The earliest known photo we have of an M15 jeep. Belgium, February, 1945. The fact that it is in a line of wrecks suggest that it was given this number at least a few weeks or months before.