When WWII broke out the British War Office contracted Bedford to produce a 3 ton 4X4 general service truck. In February 1940 the prototype of the QL series was ready with full production beginning in March 1940 at their Vauxhall factory in Luton. As the war progressed there was a need for various types of 3 ton trucks. Bedford devised trucks for troop carrying, fire tenders, communications, tankers, Bofors gun tractor and several others applications. Between 1940 and 1945 there were approximately 52,250 QL trucks produced.