Universal Carrier

Universal Carrier

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3227267)

Universal Carrier and truck passing through a ruined town in Normandy, 17 August 1944.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3524179)

A Universal Carrier of The Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa (M.G.) passing through Holten, Netherlands, 9 April 1945.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3849314)

Canadian and German soldiers unload wounded soldiers from a Universal Carrier at the Regimental Aid Post near Udem, Germany, 27 February 1945.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3520400)

Saskatoon Light Infantry (M.G.) soldiers in a Universal Carrier equipped with a Vickers machine gun, Italy, 8 March 1944.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3262646)

Personnel of the 16th Field Company, Royal Canadian Engineers (RCE), arming a Universal Carrier which has been modified to carry fifteen projector, Infantry, anti-tank (PIAT) weapons fired by a single trigger, Nijmegen, Netherlands, 14 December 1944.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4542730)

Universal Carriers during Exercise Pedal II ca 1943-44.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3205594)

Essex Scottish Regiment in Universal Carriers, ready for loading onto Buffalo amphibious vehicles, 13 April 1945.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3199411)

Private J.D. Hamilton stencilling a maple leaf on a Universal Carrier of The Highland Light Infantry of Canada, England, 19 May 1944.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3525729)

Infantrymen of "B" Company, Highland Light Infantry of Canada, in their Universal Carrier, Speldrop, Germany, 24 March 1945.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3198828)

Infantrymen of the 7th Canadian Infantry Brigade and a German prisoner in a Universal Carrier, Authie, France, 9 July 1944.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3534540)

Infantrymen of the Loyal Edmonton Regiment in a Universal Carrier, using an umbrella to provide shade in the sunlight, Valguarnera, Italy, 17 July 1943.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3205846)

Italians greet Canadian troops enthusiastically as they pass through, September 1943.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3199141)

Italians welcome Canadian troops (Princess Louise Dragoon Guards) at the entrance of Catanzaro.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3396172)

A Universal Carrier of The Lake Superior Regiment, Cintheaux, France, 8 August 1944.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3191645)

Dutch civilians on a WASP of 7th Reconnaissance Regiment (17th Duke of York's Royal Canadian Hussars), 3rd Canadian Infantry Division, celebrating the liberation of Zwolle, Netherlands, 14 April 1945.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 37022-2)

A Universal Carrier of the 4th Field Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery (RCA), Vaucelles, France, 18 or 20 July 1944.

Universal Carrier

The Universal Carrier, also known as the Bren Gun Carrier is a light armoured tracked vehicle that was produced between 1934 and 1960.  It was used by Canadian units including The Carleton and York Regiment, The New Brunswick Rangers, and the Saint John Fusiliers (Machine Gun), during the Second World War to transport personnel, weapons and equipment.  The 104th Anti-Tank Battery, 7th Canadian Anti-Tank Regiment from Fredericton and the 105th Anti-Tank Battery, 3rd Canadian Anti-Tank Regiment from St. George, New Brunswick, and other Royal Canadian Artillery units used them to tow the Ordnance QF 6 pounder anti-tank gun.  28,992 were built in Canada by the Ford Motor Company of Canada.  A few Universal Carriers were equipped with 2-pounder anti-tank guns and shipped to England in 1942.  The remainder provided emergency airfield defence on the Canadian northwest coast.  This Universal Carrier is being restored by the NBMHM.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3205238)

Troop carrier of 5 Brigade, Black Watch, moving through the village, after engaging target, 8 April 1945.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3262696)

Universal Carrier, Toronto Scottish Regiment, Nieuport, Belgium, 9 Sep 1944.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3613151)

Canadian Lloyd and Universal Carriers, training in the UK, 1942.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3517271)

Officers of the Essex Regiment with a newly-assembled Lloyd CTSC Tracked Starting and Charging Carrier, England, 27 January 1944.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3224250)

Universal Carrier crew passing a Zettin road sign, 20 January 1945.

Universal Carrier, New Brunswick Military History Museum.  This vehicle is now undergoing restoration.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3230012)

Universal Carriers of The Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada preparing to move from Germany to the Netherlands. Leer, Germany, 11 July 1945.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4233289)

Humber Mk. IV Armoured Car and Universal Carrier, Canadians in France, ca 1944.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3524780)

Personnel of the Stormont Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders of Canada advancing through Bathmen, Netherlands, 9 April 1945.

(Author Photo)

Universal Carrier Mk II, (Serial No. 92-416), 61.  Canadian War Museum, Ottawa, Ontario.

(Author Photo)

Universal Carrier Mk IIC Wasp flamethrower, (Serial No. WD CT267065), 5, 60, previously painted as (Serial No. CT43578).

Wasp flamethrower crews, Queen's Own Rifles of Canada, Vaucelles, France, 29 Jul 1944.  (Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3205139)

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4234056)

Wasp flamethrower, Petawawa, ca 1943.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3225451)

King George VI, aboard a carrier with officers of the Canadian Army, reviewing Churchill tanks of I Canadian Corps, in the UK, 11 February 1943.

The King inspected several elements of the 1st Canadian Corps that day in various locations. Specifically, this inspection was of the 1st Canadian Army Tank Brigade. The Ontario Regiment supplied all the tanks. The Calgary Regiment and Three Rivers Regiment were on parade, but dismounted. The support units of the Brigade were also on parade. The inspection concluded with a roll-past and salute. The Ontarios had spent over a week cleaning and painting their tanks in preparation. After the inspection, the tank of commanding officer LCol M.P. Johnston was renamed "Sun Chariot" after one of King George VI's race horses.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3205405)

Bren Carriers with 6-pound A/T guns speeding through wrecked town in Normandy, as they move forward, 4 July 1944.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3191627)

Universal Carrier, Queen’s Own Rifles mortar carrier and crew, (driver survived) from Serial 1525, LCT IV 885.  The 1/4-ton jeep belonged to 14th Field Regiment, RCA. It was only swamped and was recovered. The truck appears to be a CMP, all on Juno beach on the D-Day landings, 6 June 1944. (Mark Twostar)

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3227226)

Universal Carrier blown by a mine and other damaged vehicles, France, 17-18 August 1944.

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