I have a USA reefer with factory “Kilroy was here” I was curious about the meaning of that so I
looked it up.
John;
Not a wartime mark, but the little guy taking a siesta under a palm tree, signed “Herbie”, was originally done by a railroad car inspector. It became a favorite marking on many model train cars as well. Sort of in the same genre, and also done in chalk.
Regards, David Meashey