Ironsides
 

I have come across a reference to the 5th Cdn Armd Div holding, in 1942, eleven "Ironsides". Can anyone tell me what these are? Grateful for photos.

Ironsides
 

Ironsides is often a name given to the Humber Light Reconnaisance Car, does this sound feasable to you?

I do not know where the 5th Canadian Armd Div where based at that time, but would guess it was the UK. Photos of these vehicle often show them on UK exercises, although they were used in Europe after the invasion.

Richard

Re: Ironsides
 

Hi Clive;

Richard is right, the Ironside was based on the conversion of the basic commercial model of the Humber Super Snipe, to meet the need for armoured cars resulting in the Humberette, otherwise known as the Ironside (Humber LRC MkI)

Cheers :)

The "Ironside":

Re: Re: Ironsides
 

I met an old soldier recently, who used to drive one and his job was to take Winston Churchill from his home at Chartwell to London...........and he said the old boy was always urging him to go faster !!!!!

Richard

Re: Re: Re: Ironsides
 

Hi Richard;

The "Old Soldier" was probably driving a "Humber Special Ironside" (or "Humber Pullman Saloon") armoured car. They were used for the protection of members of the Royal Family, the Prime Minister and senior Cabinet ministers. The Humber Special was a modified version of the Humberette, two types having been produced, one type had no windows and was fully enclosed, but built to Pullman standards on the inside by the coachbuilders Thrupp and Maberley. The other had the same standard of interior, but was fitted with more discreet armour and bullet-proof glass. This later type, was the type preferred by the King and Queen.

Cheers :)

The "Humber Special Ironside", in use by H.M. Queen Elizabeth:

Re: Re: Re: Re: Ironsides
 

Mark,
From how the old soldier described the vehicle, it would have been the "Special". We had the conversation because I was collecting for the Poppy Day with a Daimler Dingo, having something like that brings out the stories from the vets.

Richard

Re: Re: Re: Ironsides
 

Hi Richard;

Was the "Old Soldier" a 12th Royal Lancer?

Cheers :)

Re: Re: Re: Re: Ironsides
 

Sorry, Mark, I do not remember, it was nearly 2 years ago when I spoke to him.

Richard

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Ironsides
 

Thanks Richard, I was just curious, I had read that the 12th Royal Lancers had provided the troops for these VIP protection details.

Cheers :)

Searching for something else I found this link and thought I can add to the story as it is now the subject of a book - The Kings Private Army: Protecting the British Royal Family during the Second World War by Andrew Stewart.

It appears six Ironside special armoured staff cars were initially build as shown in the photo above and layer two Type B with additional side armoured windows as shown in this link https://www.keymilitary.com/article/protection-detail

Based on Mk 1 Humber LRC they feature enclosed and raised roof with ventilation system, wider rear hull sides, full length doors and a plush interior.

Paul

Slight problem. The 'Type B' shown in the link above is not based on the Humber LRC Mk 1 at all. It is a Humber Scout Car, a rather later vehicle and does not have any windows.
Chris

Humber LRC Mk.I

Attachment 127937


More info and pictures here:
https://warwheels.net/HumberLRC1INDEX.html
https://www.flickr.com/photos/278622...57629115184387
https://classiccarcatalogue.com/HUMBER_1941.html
https://www.keymilitary.com/article/protection-detail

Did you scroll down past the first photo?

Ironside
 

Tried, but no other pic showed up!
Chris

Same for me, gave up !

David

I think this is the problem:

Attachment 128030

Strange I don't have an account yet I can scroll down around ten more photos and detailed history of the LRC. Who understands the foibles of the interweb :bang: