WWII BRITISH MORTAR 2-INCHES MK VIII*
Tuesday 4 April 2023 saw another display by the Quartermaster at our “micro” museum located at “SEBARMS Guns, Gear and Collectibles”. This time was an exhibit on a WWII British Mortar Mk 8* used by British and Canadian Airborne Forces during WWII.
Claude Villeneuve of Valor Park Association (VPA) brought a complete WWII British Mortar Mk 8* from his collection of WWII British and Canadian Airborne Forces artifacts.
The 2-inch Mortar, developed during the 1930s, was small and could be carried by a single man, range was limited to 500 yards (457m) and the high explosive bomb was quite small, but the weapon provided a useful High Explosive (H.E.) and Smoke thrower. There were several variants: Universal Carrier (aka Bren Carrier), Infantry, and Airborne. The 2-Inch Mortar remained in production throughout the war.
Here is the list of objects that were on display.
2-Inch Mortar Ammunitions
26 GS Publications 146 Small Arms Training Volume I, Pamphlet No. 8 – Mortar (2-inch), 1939 (16 p.) 18th October 1939
26 GS Publications 146
SAT Volume I, Pamphlet No. 8 – Mortar (2-inch), 1939
Amendment No. 1 ,1941 (2 p.)
28th June 1941
26 GS Publications 704
SAT Volume I, Pamphlet No. 8 – Mortar (2-inch), 1942 (16 p.)
15th July 1942
This pamphlet superseded the 1939 edition and that reprinted with amendments (Nos. 1 and 2), 1942
For those who may asked the question: “is the mortar deactivated”? The answer is: “sadly, yes, it is deactivated”.
There will be more to see from our Quartermaster so…come to see us! The VPA’s “micro” Museum is located at SEBARMS Guns, Gear and Collectibles, 11569 – 149 Street, Edmonton, Alberta, T5M 1W9. The museum hours of operation are:
• Monday: closed.
• Tuesday: from 10 to 15 hours.
• Wednesday: from 10 to 15 hours.
• Thursday: from 10 to 15 hours.
• Friday: from 10 to 15 hours.
Until next time,
The Quartermaster
