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our James ML Timeline

April 25th 1981
Following a trip to Wimborne to see the remains of the James ML it was subsequently purchased for £100 by Edith Berrie as a birthday present for her son and owner of Comet restorations. The ML was returned to Oxford and placed in storage for evaluation. After a jet wash to remove the mud and dirt the original army frame number was found and its Indian service number. Also found were the remains of the Indian tax certificate once more confirming the frame number.

June 1981
Following initial investigations and the discovery of its service numbers, Mr Brian Prior (Chairman Ridgeway Military and Aviation Research Group) was asked to verify the machine as James ML 6578 for the Vintage Military Vehicle Trust (VMCC). Subsequent investigation with the R.E.M.E. Museum and the Army Museum uncovered part of the history.
First website set up to appeal for help. James manuals and Villiers engine manuals obtained.

May 1985
Classic Bike published article on Comet restorations work and previewed the work on ML 6578. First pictures of the frame re-sprayed and ongoing work. Appeal for spares yields a new back end frame.

May 1985-2016
Various work undertaken to get the ML back to visually good appearance and work on the engine with a view to get it operational. Missing parts located and needed parts restored or repaired

2016-2017
Offer was made by the Ridgeway Military and Aviation Research Group offered a display space at the RAF Welford Museum with a view to continue the restoration.
ML6578 moved to Mike Dore for Work and then to display at RAF Welford.

April 2018
Engine started and ran briefly for a while for the first time since returning to the UK. Still in need of some work, focusing on the carburettor, and getting the engine to run consistently. Annoying leak from the kick-start requires further work.

June 6th 2018
Anniversary of D-Day and ML6578 went back in the markings it wore on the beaches of Normandy in 1944. Also markings for its Indian service were applied to record this part of its history.
RMARG gave the go ahead to move Comet- Restorations 1949 “Comet “ to join it at RAF Welford
Work started on permanent display area.

March 1981
Following the release by Customs, the bikes were moved to a storage facility in Wimborne. Because of the need to cover the added costs, the James ML was offered for sale in mid-April 1981. Comet Restorations expressed an interest in the project to join their other 2 James lightweights.

July 2018
The Journey to preservation continues!!

September 1980
Following investigation by British Customs, the consignment was moved to a Customs storage facility at Hurn Airport near Bournemouth for further investigation into possible vehicle import violations in the form of failure to notify or report vehicle being imported. This red tape held up release for a further 5 months before the DVLA was informed and investigated the vehicles concluding that in their present state they were of no interest to them. Finally Customs released the vehicles after a fine for import paperwork irregularities’. The James was finally legally home.

May 1980
Flown back as cargo on an Air India flight to Heathrow and impounded by British Customs officials in the Customs storage area. The cargo manifest of engine and bike spares from India raised concerns that this was possibly a cover for a drug smuggling operation. Customs found it hard to believe that anyone would want spares from India! Customs red tape held the release of the consignment for 4 months. All the bikes were fully investigated and taken apart looking for drugs. The James ML suffered further damage .

April 1980
Found by a British collector along with some Enfield’s and BSA motorcycles wrecks and various other British classic bike parts. Bought from the scrap merchant and crated up for return to the UK. Originally this was considered of no value and was to be left behind but a bit of careful packing and a small space was created and this was the only machine to fit the space. By now little of its Army paint remained, the engine was seized and it was covered in mud.

1972
4777 was sold to a private individual and used as worker transport. At some point the back section was cut and pair of Honda 50 suspension struts welded in. The headlamp had been changed and the backlight converted. The 3 speed gear change was replaced with a cable. Centre stand broken and removed. The bike engine was maintained with bearings from other machines and parts removed. The bike at some point became un usable and finally some parts were salvaged before the bike was sold to a local scrap merchant and stored in the open.

February 1970
Sold as military surplus and bought by the Indian Institute of Geology. By now spares were hard to obtain and modifications were made to lights and fittings. Registered as a civil bike on its military Frame number

1947 -1970
Served with the Indian Army in Rajasthan as a postal service bike and general communication duties.

18th July 1947 Impendence day
All military vehicles of the British Army in India now became the property of the Indian Army.
James ML now became vehicle 4777 of the Independent free Indian Army and remained in Rajasthan acting as a general communications bike.

November 1944
Flown to India and delivered to Royal Corp of Signals Depot Rajasthan in Northern India

October 1944
Repair to front head with repair casting. Converted to Air Transportable version,

for delivery by air by the R.A.F to join the British Army in India.

August 1944
Recovered in Normandy by R.E.M.E.unit as salvageable.
Brought back to Chillwell Depot.

D-Day June 1944
Delivered by Royal Navy to the Normandy bridge head.

Damaged at some point outside of Normandy.

March 1944
Delivered to Royal Engineers Bomb Disposal Unit

May 1943
Delivered to R.E.M.E Depot at Chillwell in Nottingham
Received Markings and Census Numbers and final checks

March 1943
Built by the James Company to Government wartime contract

in Greet in Birmingham

British Army Service History
James ML in service with The British Army In India
james ml post service life in india
james ml stuck in
"red tape"
the james ml in to preservation
The james
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