Tim Gosling examines the history of a unit of World War One armoured trucks paid for by public subscription
Raymond Brutinel emigrated from France to Canada in 1905 where he would amass a fortune through his business ventures. Having previously served in the French Army he had maintained an interest in military matters and particularly machine guns. When France went to war with Germany in 1914 Brutinel considered returning to France to join the army but was dissuaded from doing so by the wealthy businessman Sir Clifford Sifton. Together they discussed the formation of a unit of armoured trucks equipped with machine guns which would all be paid for by public donations.
Brutinel was already familiar with the Autocar two-ton UFXXI truck which he had admired while in New York and thought it an ideal candidate. Autocar was formed in Pennsylvania USA in 1897, building their first commercial vehicle in 1898 and in 1908 started selling their superb model UFXXI truck.
This machine had a chassis of steel channel with a hardwood pressed between which gave it great strength and some element of flexibility.
The 18bhp engine which was located below the driver’s seat had two cylinders which were horizontally opposed.…
