It is worth noting that the British Army’s philosophy regarding the use of motorised two-wheel vehicles differed from the German approach, as no tactical use of motorcycles on the front line was foreseen. Instead, their role was limited to dispatch riding, reconnaissance, and the escort and control of military convoys.
For this purpose, Norton submitted a version derived from the already established 16H – a reliable, fast, lightweight, and manoeuvrable model whose design had been refined on the racetrack, where the British manufacturer invested heavily as a means of promotion and development. The military version would be designated Norton WD 16H (adding “WD” for War Department) and was produced in large numbers alongside a “Big 4” version with sidecar.
Weighing 176 kg, the WD 16H featured increased ground clearance – similar to the civilian “Colonial” version – and was powered by a proven 490cc air-cooled four-stroke engine with side valves. Delivering 14 hp at 4,500 rpm, it had a four-speed gearbox and chain drive.
In the United Kingdom, many WD 16Hs were assigned to civil defence and the Home Guard. A significant number were shipped to France with the B.E.F. in 1939, though nearly all of these were lost during the Dunkirk evacuation the following year. Subsequently, more WD 16Hs were deployed by British and Commonwealth forces during the Desert Campaign against Axis troops – particularly in Egypt and Libya – and further east, in India and Burma, where they were used against Japanese forces.
Returning to mainland Europe, the WD 16H took part in the Italian Campaign (1943–1945), assisting in troop movements and logistical support. On D-Day, the model returned to France, now in a victorious march that would take it all the way to Germany. Besides the British Army and RAF, the WD 16H was also used during the war by the Canadian, New Zealand, Australian, and Indian armies. Some units were additionally sent to the Soviet Union as part of the Allied military aid programme.
After the war, most surviving WD 16Hs were sold on to a civilian market eager for affordable means of transport. As a result, they were subject to intensive use and are therefore relatively rare today.