BSA M20 despatch
From the Blogger archive: BSA M20 despatch
The picture on top was taken in front of Estate Restaurant in the Intermark Building off Jalan Ampang. Surprisingly it’s still has all the military accesories mounted on. I’ll say it’s probably 90% intact.
# The Workhorse of the British Empire: The BSA M20 in MalayaIn the sweltering heat of the Malayan jungle, a seemingly unstoppable Japanese war machine was rapidly advancing south. Amidst the chaos of retreat and the desperate scramble to regroup, a distinct, mechanical putt-putt-putt could be heard echoing along the crumbling roads. It was the sound of the BSA M20.
The BSA M20 was more than just a motorcycle; it was the circulatory system of the British war effort in Malaya and Singapore. While the world’s attention was fixed on the dramatic aerial dogfights and the mighty warships HMS Prince of Wales and Repulse, it was this humble, khaki-coloured machine that carried the orders, the intelligence, and often the last hope along the peninsula.
The “Plodder” That Won a WarDesigned by Val Page, the BSA M20 started development in 1937. When first presented to the War Office in 1936, it was viewed as a near failure. But after modifications, this 500cc side-valve single became the most numerous motorcycle produced for World War II, with a staggering 126,000 built by BSA between 1939 and 1945.
It was not a glamorous machine. Riders nicknamed it the “Plodder” or “Put-Putt” because it was slow, with a top speed of just 55 mph. It produced a modest 13 horsepower from its 496cc engine. The BSA M20 was spartan, heavy, and its rigid frame, though durable, was not known for comfort. However, it had one irreplaceable quality: rugged, unstoppable reliability. It was the perfect tool for the Royal Corps of Signals’ dispatch riders, who needed a bike that could “plod along indefinitely” on the rough, unpaved roads of the Empire.
The BSA M20 in the Far EastIn the desperate campaign for Malaya and Singapore, the BSA M20 proved its worth as the primary military vehicle for British forces on the move. Dispatch riders, often operating under enemy fire and in appalling weather, used the M20 to deliver urgent orders between headquarters and forward units in the dense jungle.
The BSA M20 specifically appears in the context of the Malayan campaign on the pages of the book Moon Over Malaya: A Tale of Argylls and Marines. The cover of that book, which details the struggle of the 2nd Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, features a BSA M20, cementing its place in the visual history of the conflict.
The World War II MotorbikeToday, the BSA M20 remains a tangible link to the past. One particularly fine example, originally supplied new on 23rd June 1944 to the Ministry of Supply, later served with the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME). This specific machine, which is believed to have been attached to the 1st The Royal Dragoons, was registered with the British Army Census Number 50 ZR 68 and remained in service until 1960.
Another surviving M20 continues to run in Malaysia itself, often maintained by dedicated local enthusiasts of vintage military vehicles.
A Personal ReflectionThese khaki-clad machines were everywhere during the Malayan campaign. While researching for this article, I found an image of a BSA M20 parked in front of the Estate Restaurant in the Intermark Building off Jalan Ampang. Remarkably, it is still largely intact, a silent sentinel from a bygone era, still proudly wearing its military accessories. Seeing it sitting there, amidst the modern hustle of Kuala Lumpur, is a powerful reminder of the war that once raged on this very ground.
Specs at a Glance
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Fuel Capacity: 3 gallons
The You tube video below is possibly the closest version seen on the cover of Moon Over Malaya ridden by a Argyll & Sutherland Highland Division personnel. The painted Olive Green might not be the colour as early 1940s version were painted in Khaki Gas Proof No3.
Resources
- - Imperial War Museum (IWM), UK – Extensive WWII archives including photographs and technical data on the BSA M20.
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BSA M20 – Wikipedia – The main source for this article.
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Mecum Auctions / Sump Magazine – Detailed specifications of the BSA M20 model.
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Royal Signals Museum – Historical records of dispatch riders and their equipment.
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1942Malaya Archive – The Author’s Notes – Personal observations and photographs of existing BSA M20 motorcycles in Malaysia.
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