Can anyone help me with rear roof brace MK2 panelvan. Van has had all rust removed and ready for painting. I've just realised that it's missing. Any help or suggestions would be great.

hi mate would you be talking about the brace that is half way back above where the wheel arch area is, that goes from one side to the other side 
 
if this the one you are talking about, ive had 7 vans over the years i find the early m2 did not have them

You mean the one that sits under the roof skin like in the photo half way down this page?
 
http://www.classic-ford.org/cfp/tm.aspx?m=60600&high=van&mpage=2
 
Griezy, how early is 'early'?  I've seen a late '79 model without it, which is reasonably late for Escorts.  That photo appears to show the roof piece welded in behind the vertical pieces on either side, making it non-removable.  My suspicion is that only vans that had a full roof lining fitted came with them, but I'd like to know for sure what the deal is.

3 of my vans that did have the brace were all 1980, and only had half roof lining
 
i have had two '77s, one late 75 and a 79 that did not have the centre brace
 
i had a look at the picture you said about and yeah the yellow brace on the roof, not the roof lining brace