Lanchester Mk II Armoured Car

Built to a standard pattern for armoured cars of the inter-war period, the Lanchester was actually an innovative development.  It had a purpose built, bullet proof chassis housing a reserve fuel tank; armoured glass in its vision ports; and a commander's seat that rotated with the turret.  Thirty five vehicles were built in two marks. 

Lanchesters served from 1934 with 11 Hussars, then with 12th Hussars and later a couple were issued to the Derbyshire Yeomanry and seven to the 23rd London Armoured Car Company (Sharpshooters).  When the war started they were used for the protection of vital areas though, by then, they were becoming increasingly obsolete.  Finaly 22 Lanchesters were shipped to Singapore as tensions rose in the Far East.  Their only combat came serving with the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders in the defence of Singapore, most famously in the defence of the Johore Straits.