The T16 Universal Carrier in Canadian Service

A new T16 seen shortly after manufacture in the United States. (US Army Image)

Canada’s production and use of the British designed Universal Carrier and its variants is worthy of a far more in-depth review. A small part of that story is the often overlooked, but no less significant, US manufactured T16 variant of the Universal Carrier that was also successfully used by the Canadian Army during the Second World War and after, at home and abroad.

The Universal Carrier was a uniquely British design of armoured fighting vehicle. this open topped tracked vehicle allowed for the transportation of a machine gun, mortar or anti-tank gun in addition to a small crew and radios. Powered by a Ford flathead V8 gasoline engine and using a manual transmission, these carriers could also be used to tow a trailer or small artillery piece. Due to their large production numbers and great utility they were subsequently adopted by many countries militaries from the late 1930’s through to 1960’s in numerous roles.

Due to the popularity of the initial design production was significantly increased after the outbreak of the Second World War. In order to meet this demand the carrier was not only manufactured in the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth countries of Canada and Australia but the United States as well. In order to accommodate US automotive manufacturing processes while incorporating lessons learned during the initial years of the war a number of design improvements were incorporated into the new variant that was designated as the T16. The British agreed to purchase up to 30,000 examples of the design under the Lend-Lease scheme. Mass production of the carriers began In March 1943 at Ford Motor Company’s Somerville Assembly plant in Massachusetts. 

New T16 Carriers coming off the Ford production line at Somerville. Of note is the transition between spoked and solid roadwheels between the carriers parked at left and those driving off the production line, Also note the single parked carrier painted with a WD number. (Ford Motor Company Image)

The T16 introduced a few new features to the Universal Carrier design. Chief among these was the use of traditional controlled differential steering system using two tillers as opposed to the track warping system with steering wheel of the original.  Further, the now welded hull was lengthened and an additional road wheel was added to the rear bogey truck.

By mid-1943 the carriers, now designated “Carrier, Universal T16 Mark 1”, had begun to arrive in Britain.  For still unknown reasons they did not immediately find users and appear to have been stockpiled in depots awaiting the upcoming opening of the northwestern European front. During this time the Canadian Army began looking for an improved gun tractor for the towed 6 Pounder anti-tank guns then in use. The T16, with its lengthened hull, increased stowage and higher horsepower engine, was modified with a towing attachment and stowage for the equipment associated with the towed 6 Pounder anti-tank gun and its crew of five (by late 1944 crews of six appear more commonly). This new carrier variant was intended for use by anti-tank regiments and anti-tank platoons of Motor Battalions and infantry Battalions. 

Additionally T16’s were modified to act as ammunition carriers for the 6 Pounder. These also featured a towing attachment and internal stowage racks for ammunition as well as a spare wheel and tire for the gun carriage. These ammunition carriers had a crew of three of whom two were members of the gun team.

In October, 1943 the Canadian army formally adopted the T16. By February, 1944 Canadian units in England had a total requirement for 484 T16 Carriers but of these only had 229 had been received. By the time of the Normandy Invasion in June 1944 Canadian forces in Northwest Europe reported 155 T16’s on strength and by December of that year the number increased to 266. In fact only the 3rd Infantry division had its full complement of 120 T16 carriers in time for the Invasion of France with other units using British or Canadian built carriers to fill the shortages.

In addition to the T16s adapted for use a gun tractors the Canadian army also modified the T16 for transporting the 4.2 Inch mortar. Prior to this the large 4.2 Inch mortar was usually transported on a trailer towed behind a truck or Universal Carrier. This modification retained the towing attachment of the gun tractor but included a cradle above the radiator armour for the mortar tube, fittings to secure the bipod above the engine cover and mountings for the base-plate on the front armour. In many cases angle iron steps for the crew were bolted the hull sides above the tracks. In addition to these alterations the interior of the carrier was modified to accommodate a crew of four, equipment, ammunition and spares associated with the mortar.

Like the earlier 3.2 Inch mortar carrier the design was intended to allow the mortar and its crew to be transported to a selected position where the mortar was then assembled on the ground. In service this model was known as the “Carrier 4.2-Inch Mortar T16 Mark 1”. Like the gun tractor before it this mortar carrier version also had an ammunition carrier developed to accompany it. These new configurations were intended for use by machine gun battalions and independent machine gun companies

By the end of April 1944 the Canadian army had 100 4.2 Inch Mortar carriers on strength and the model was used operationally by Canadian units throughout Northwest Europe. While in service it was noted that the T16 carrier and its accompanying ammunition carrier were still short on space for ammunition and equipment. It appears that a solution to this was to use the 10cwt. trailer behind the carriers to create additional stowage.

New T16 carriers in storage at 15th AFV Depot, Bromsgrove, England, 26 July 1944. (Imperial War Museum Image)

Modifications

T16 carriers used by Canada in northwest Europe were modified at unit level to suit to operational needs of the army in the field. Many featured additional stowage baskets or the re-arranging of the original stowage bins to suit the unit requirements. As the campaign in France and Belgium progressed into the Netherlands and Germany many of the carriers saw the addition of canvas tops with bows often salvaged from trucks.

An assortment of improvised machine-gun mountings that allowed the fitting of Browning .30 and .50 calibre machine-guns on the front armour and .30 Browning or Bren gun mountings on the side armour was also common. These additional machine guns were not unique to the Canadian used T16’s but these carriers were often more heavily armed than their British or Canadian built counterparts. 

Many, but not all, T16’s seen in Northwest Europe have small square pads welded to the armour for the fitting of deep wading panels used in fording water deeper than the hull. It appears that many of the carriers were modified for this capability while in England but they were by no means universally fitted to Canadian T16’s in use in the Netherlands and Germany during 1944-45.

Post-War Use

The end of the war saw most Canadian T16’s turned in to the vehicle dumps in Europe. They were by that point heavily used and not worth the cost of shipping back to Canada. Although no complete records of the exact number of T16’s used by Canada have come to light a review of the equipment state of the Canadian Army in Northwest Europe suggests that around 500 of all types were used by Canada during the war.

Interestingly the Canadian army was not finished with the T16 with the end of the war in Europe. In October 1945 twenty-nine 4.2 Inch Mortar Carriers were shipped from England to Canada for the peacetime army. Little concerning the use of these carriers in Canada is documented but surviving examples and period images show them in use by infantry and artillery units as 4.2 Inch mortar carriers and gun tractors for the 6 Pounder anti-tank gun. These carriers were likely disposed of during the late 1950’s at the same time as the remainder of the Canadian built Universal Carriers that were retained for post-war service.

Surprisingly the T16 was not adopted by Britain in large numbers during or after the the war. Records indicate that Ford eventually produced over 13000 T16’s and many carriers were supplied as aid to foreign powers in the postwar years, with examples finding their way around the world from to countries such as Argentina to Switzerland and Rhodesia.

The T16 remains as uncommon today as it was during the war but nevertheless remains and intriguing part of Canada’s military history.

Canadian Army War Establishment for T16 Carriers Feb. 1944- 1945.

Reconnaissance Regiment (Infantry Division)12 x T-16 (gun tractor) CarriersRegimental HQ Squadron
Infantry Regiment12 x T-16 (gun tractor) CarriersSupport Company
Motor Battalion (Armoured Division)24 x T-16 (gun tractor) CarriersSupport Company
Machine Gun Battalion32 x T-16 4.2-Inch Mortar CarriersMortar Company
RCA Anti-Tank Regiment (Infantry Division)24 x T-16 (gun tractor) Carriers“B” Battery

Table of Known Canadian Used T16 Universal Carriers.

WD Number*CommentsImages
592346 Pdr. Tower.
October 1943: 1 Canadian Artillery Re-enforcement Unit. Nye, UK.

(Library and Archives Canada Image)
93462June 1945: Princess Louise Dragoon Guards, Netherlands.
(Library and Archives Canada Image)
934921945: Lake Superior Regiment.
(Thunder Bay Museum Collection)

(Thunder Bay Museum Collection)
934956Pdr Tower.
1945: 48th Highlanders of Canada, Netherlands.

(Courtesy Dick Kenzie)
93538March 1945: 3rd A/T Regiment RCA. Received from Ord. Fld Park 3rd Can. Div.
940761945: RCA Meppel, Netherlands.
(Archief Amsterdam Image)

(Archief Amsterdam Image)
94164June 1945: Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa Utrecht, Netherlands.
(Utrechts Archief Image)
94183March 1945: 3rd A/T Regiment RCA. Received from Ord. Fld Park 3rd Can. Div.
June 1945: 3rd A/T Regiment RCA. Transferred to 1 Cdn Army Turn in Depot. Deleen, Netherlands.
948564.2 Inch Mortar Carrier.
1944: Canadian Army Equipment Data Sheet.

(Canadian Army Image)

(Canadian Army Image)
949224.2 Inch Mortar Carrier.
Oct 1945: 1 Cdn Veh Coy. Liverpool.  Shipped to Canada From UK.
October 1945: Delivered by rail to Central Mechanization Depot, New Sarum, Ontario.
949374.2 Inch Mortar Carrier.
June 1945: Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa Utrecht, Netherlands.

(Utrechts Archief Image)
94941March 1945: 3rd A/T Regiment RCA. Received from Ord. Fld Park 3rd Can. Div.
April 1945: 3rd A/T Regiment RCA. Transferred to 203 Ord. Sub Park 2nd Can. Corps.
949506Pdr Tower.
June 1945: Highland Light Infantry Utrecht, Netherlands.

(Utrechts Archief Image)
94951March 1945: 3rd A/T Regiment RCA. Received from Ord. Fld Park 3rd Can. Div.
April 1945: 3rd A/T Regiment RCA. Transferred to 203 Ord. Sub Park 2nd Can. Corps.
949666 Pdr. Tower
June 1945: Stormont Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders Utrecht, Netherlands.

(Utrechts Archief Image)
949891945: Stormont Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders Utrecht, Netherlands.
(Utrechts Archief Image)
95065July 1944: 3rd A/T Regiment RCA. Received from Ord. Fld. Park 3rd Can. Div.
951666 Pdr. Tower.
June 1945: Stormont Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders, Utrecht, Netherlands.

(Utrechts Archief Image)
95238March 1945: 3rd A/T Regiment RCA. Received from Ord. Fld Park 3rd Can. Div.
April 1945: 3rd A/T Regiment RCA. Transferred to 203 Ord, Sub Park 2nd Can. Corps.
952924.2 Inch Mortar Carrier.
Oct 1945: 1 Cdn Veh Coy. Liverpool.  Shipped to Canada From UK.
October 1945: Delivered by rail to Central Mechanization Depot, New Sarum, Ontario.
95378March 1945: 3rd A/T Regiment RCA. Received from Ord. Fld Park 3rd Can. Div.
April 1945: 3rd A/T Regiment RCA. Transferred to 203 Ord. Sub Park 2nd Can. Corps.
95381July 1944: 3rd A/T Regiment RCA. Received from Ord. Fld. Park 3rd Can. Div.
April 1945: 3rd A/T Regiment RCA. Transferred to 203 Ord. Sub Park 2nd Can. Corps.
95467March 1945: 3rd A/T Regiment RCA. Received from Ord. Fld Park 3rd Can. Div.
June 1945: 3rd A/T Regiment RCA. Transferred to 1 Cdn Army Turn in Depot. Deleen, Netherlands.
95533January 1945: 3rd A/T Regiment RCA. Received from Ord. Fld Park 3rd Can. Div.
June 1945: 3rd A/T Regiment RCA. Transferred to 1 Cdn Army Turn in Depot. Deleen, Netherlands.
95622April 1945: South Saskatchewan Regiment Bedum, Netherlands.
(Bedum Archief Image)
95680June 1945: Princess Louise Dragoon Guards, Netherlands.
(Utrechts Archief Image)
956946 Pdr. Tower.
June 1945: Highland Light Infantry Utrecht, Netherlands.

(Utrechts Archief Image)
95729Radio Equipped.
(Courtesy Troy Bishop)
957334.2 Inch Mortar Carrier.
June 1945: Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa Utrecht, Netherlands.

(Utrechts Archief Image)
95793Reconnaissance Unit.
(Unknown Source)
958201945: Canadian Army Equipment Data Sheet.
(Canadian Army Image)
95877April 1945: 4th Field Regiment RCA, Elderwolde, Netherlands.
(Library and Archives Canada Image)
95976October 1944: Canadian Scottish Regiment, Breskens, Netherlands.
(Library and Archives Canada Image)
959796 Pdr. Tower.
June 1945: Stormont Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders Utrecht, Netherlands.

(Utrechts Archief Image)
960194.2 Inch Mortar Carrier.
June 1945: Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa Utrecht, Netherlands.

(Utrechts Archief Image)
960806 Pdr. Tower.
June 1945: SD&G Utrecht, Netherlands.

(Utrechts Archief Image)

(Utrechts Archief Image)
96084July 1944: 3rd A/T Regiment RCA. Received from Ord. Fld Park 3rd Can. Div.
November 1944: 3rd A/T Regiment RCA. Transferred to 8 CIB Workshop, 3rd Can. Div.
96173January 1945: 3rd A/T Regiment RCA. Received from Ord. Fld Park 3rd Can. Div.
April 1945: 3rd A/T Regiment RCA. Transferred to 203 Ord. Sub Park 2nd Can. Corps.
962141944: France QOR?
(Queens Own Rifles Museum Image)
96250January 1945: 3rd A/T Regiment RCA Received from Ord. Fld Park 3rd Can. Div.
June 1945: 3rd A/T Regiment RCA transferred to 1 Cdn Army Turn in Depot. Deleen, Netherlands.
962701945: Lake Superior Regiment
(Library and archives Canada Image)
963404.2 Inch Mortar Ammunition Carrier
1945: Canadian Army Equipment Data Sheet

(Canadian Army Image)
96734March 1945: 3rd A/T Regiment RCA. Received from Ord. Fld Park 3rd Can. Div.
April 1945: 3rd A/T Regiment RCA. Transferred to 203 Ord. Sub Park 2nd Can. Corps.
968334.2 Inch Mortar Carrier.
June 1945: Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa Utrecht, Netherlands.

(Utrechts Archief Image)
96883March 1945: 3rd A/T Regiment RCA. Received from Ord. Fld Park 3rd Can. Div.
97022March 1945: 3rd A/T Regiment RCA. Received from Ord. Fld Park 3rd Can. Div.
March 1945: 3rd A/T Regiment RCA. Reported lost to Enemy Action.
97024January 1945: 3rd A/T Regiment RCA. Received from Ord. Fld Park 3rd Can. Div.
April 1945: 3rd A/T Regiment RCA. Transferred to 203 Ord, Sub Park 2nd Can. Corps.
97026March 1945: 3rd A/T Regiment RCA. Received from Ord. Fld Park 3rd Can. Div.
April 1945: 3rd A/T Regiment RCA. Transferred to 203 Ord, Sub Park 2nd Can. Corps.
970494.2 Inch Mortar Carrier.
June 1945: Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa Utrecht, Netherlands.

(Utrechts Archief Image)
97281March 1945: 3rd A/T Regiment RCA. Received from Ord. Fld Park 3rd Can. Div.
April 1945: 3rd A/T Regiment RCA. Transferred to 203 Ord. Sub Park 2nd Can. Corps.
97431July 1944: 3rd A/T Regiment RCA. Received from Ord. Fld. Park 3rd Can. Div.
August 1944: 3rd A/T Regiment RCA. Reported lost to Enemy Action.
97576March 1945: 3rd A/T Regiment RCA. Received from Ord. Fld Park 3rd Can. Div.
June 1945: 3rd A/T Regiment RCA. Transferred to 1 Cdn Army Turn in Depot. Deleen, Netherlands.
98038January 1945: 3rd A/T Regiment RCA. Received from Ord. Fld Park 3rd Can. Div.
April 1945: 3rd A/T Regiment RCA. Transferred to 203 Ord. Sub Park 2nd Can. Corps.
98075March 1945: 3rd A/T Regiment RCA. Received from Ord. Fld Park 3rd Can. Div.
April 1945: 3rd A/T Regiment RCA. Transferred to 203 Ord, Sub Park 2nd Can. Corps.
981196 Pdr. Tower.
1945: Lake Superior Regiment.

(Thunder Bay Museum Collection)
981224.2 Inch Mortar Carrier. June 1945: Utrecht, Netherlands
(Utrechts Archief Image)
98152March 1945: 3rd A/T Regiment RCA. Received from Ord. Fld Park 3rd Can. Div.
June 1945: 3rd A/T Regiment RCA. Transferred to 1 Cdn Army Turn in Depot. Deleen, Netherlands
98170January 1945: 3rd A/T Regiment RCA. Received from Ord. Fld Park 3rd Can. Div.
April 1945: 3rd A/T Regiment RCA. Transferred to 203 Ord. Sub Park 2nd Can. Corps.
98173April 15, 1945: Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa Leeuwarden, Netherlands.
(Historic Center Leeuwarden Image)
981744.2 Inch Mortar Carrier.
June 1945: Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa Utrecht, Netherlands

(Utrechts Archief Image)
98269Section Command Carrier.
April 1945: South Saskatchewan Regiment, Groningen, Netherlands.

(Archief Amsterdam Image)

(Archief Amsterdam Image)
985734.2 Inch Mortar Carrier.
Oct 1945: 1 Cdn Veh Coy. Liverpool.  Shipped to Canada From UK.
October 1945: Delivered by rail to Central Mechanization Depot, New Sarum, Ontario.
99293April 1945: Essex Scottish Regiment Elderwolde, Netherlands.
(Library and Archives Canada Image)
1002504.2 Inch Mortar Carrier.
Oct 1945: 1 Cdn Veh Coy. Liverpool.  Shipped to Canada From UK.
October 1945: Delivered by rail to Central Mechanization Depot, New Sarum, Ontario.
1004464.2 Inch Mortar Carrier.
Oct 1945: 1 Cdn Veh Coy. Liverpool.  Shipped to Canada From UK.
October 1945: Delivered by rail to Central Mechanization Depot, New Sarum, Ontario.
1004604.2 Inch Mortar Carrier.
Oct 1945: 1 Cdn Veh Coy. Liverpool.  Shipped to Canada From UK.
October 1945: Delivered by rail to Central Mechanization Depot, New Sarum, Ontario.
1004954.2 Inch Mortar Carrier.
Oct 1945: 1 Cdn Veh Coy. Liverpool.  Shipped to Canada From UK.
October 1945: Delivered by rail to Central Mechanization Depot, New Sarum, Ontario.
1007064.2 Inch Mortar Carrier.
Oct 1945: 1 Cdn Veh Coy. Liverpool.  Shipped to Canada From UK.
October 1945: Delivered by rail to Central Mechanization Depot, New Sarum, Ontario.
1007564.2 Inch Mortar Carrier.
Oct 1945: 1 Cdn Veh Coy. Liverpool.  Shipped to Canada From UK.
October 1945: Delivered by rail to Central Mechanization Depot, New Sarum, Ontario.
1007714.2 Inch Mortar Carrier.
Oct 1945: 1 Cdn Veh Coy. Liverpool.  Shipped to Canada From UK.
October 1945: Delivered by rail to Central Mechanization Depot, New Sarum, Ontario.
1013054.2 Inch Mortar Carrier.
Oct 1945: 1 Cdn Veh Coy. Liverpool.  Shipped to Canada From UK.
October 1945: Delivered by rail to Central Mechanization Depot, New Sarum, Ontario.
1015174.2 Inch Mortar Carrier.
Oct 1945: 1 Cdn Veh Coy. Liverpool.  Shipped to Canada From UK.
October 1945: Delivered by rail to Central Mechanization Depot, New Sarum, Ontario.
1018844.2 Inch Mortar Carrier.
Oct 1945: 1 Cdn Veh Coy. Liverpool.  Shipped to Canada From UK.
October 1945: Delivered by rail to Central Mechanization Depot, New Sarum, Ontario.
102032
82-032
4.2 Inch Mortar Carrier.
Serial Number: 10097
Oct 1945: 1 Cdn Veh Coy. Liverpool.  Shipped to Canada From UK.
October 1945: Delivered by rail to Central Mechanization Depot, New Sarum, Ontario. Assigned DND Registration Number “82-032”
Unk. Date: Issued to “A” Battery of an unknown unit, Royal Canadian Artillery, Central Command.
Unk. Date: Issued to Royal Canadian School of Infantry, Central Command.
Unk. Date: Sold as surplus and acquired by a farmer near Shilo, Manitoba.
September 2016: Acquired by Royal Canadian Artillery Museum Shilo, Manitoba.

(Courtesy Rob Love)

(Courtesy Rob Love)

(Courtesy Rob Love)

(Courtesy Rob Love)
1025294.2 Inch Mortar Carrier.
Oct 1945: 1 Cdn Veh Coy. Liverpool.  Shipped to Canada From UK.
October 1945: Delivered by rail to Central Mechanization Depot, New Sarum, Ontario.
1027274.2 Inch Mortar Carrier.
Oct 1945: 1 Cdn Veh Coy. Liverpool.  Shipped to Canada From UK.
October 1945: Delivered by rail to Central Mechanization Depot, New Sarum, Ontario.
1027494.2 Inch Mortar Carrier.
Oct 1945: 1 Cdn Veh Coy. Liverpool.  Shipped to Canada From UK.
October 1945: Delivered by rail to Central Mechanization Depot, New Sarum, Ontario.
1029774.2 Inch Mortar Carrier.
Oct 1945: 1 Cdn Veh Coy. Liverpool.  Shipped to Canada From UK.
October 1945: Delivered by rail to Central Mechanization Depot, New Sarum, Ontario.
1030956 Pdr. Tower.
June 1945: Utrecht, Netherlands.

Note the Loyd Carrier spare wheel on the nearest T16. (Utrechts Archief Image)
1032184.2 Inch Mortar Carrier.
Oct 1945: 1 Cdn Veh Coy. Liverpool.  Shipped to Canada From UK.
October 1945: Delivered by rail to Central Mechanization Depot, New Sarum, Ontario.
1032584.2 Inch Mortar Carrier.
Oct 1945: 1 Cdn Veh Coy. Liverpool.  Shipped to Canada From UK.
October 1945: Delivered by rail to Central Mechanization Depot, New Sarum, Ontario.
1032754.2 Inch Mortar Carrier.
Oct 1945: 1 Cdn Veh Coy. Liverpool.  Shipped to Canada From UK.
October 1945: Delivered by rail to Central Mechanization Depot, New Sarum, Ontario.
1032974.2 Inch Mortar Carrier.
Oct 1945: 1 Cdn Veh Coy. Liverpool.  Shipped to Canada From UK.
October 1945: Delivered by rail to Central Mechanization Depot, New Sarum, Ontario.
1032984.2 Inch Mortar Carrier.
Oct 1945: 1 Cdn Veh Coy. Liverpool.  Shipped to Canada From UK.
October 1945: Delivered by rail to Central Mechanization Depot, New Sarum, Ontario.
1034314.2 Inch Mortar Carrier.
Oct 1945: 1 Cdn Veh Coy. Liverpool.  Shipped to Canada From UK.
October 1945: Delivered by rail to Central Mechanization Depot, New Sarum, Ontario.
1034764.2 Inch Mortar Carrier.
Oct 1945: 1 Cdn Veh Coy. Liverpool.  Shipped to Canada From UK.
October 1945: Delivered by rail to Central Mechanization Depot, New Sarum, Ontario.
*Canadian T16’s appear to us either “CT” or “T” as a prefix to the War Department number interchangeably.

Canadian T-16 Wartime Image Gallery

A T16 6 Pdr. tower of the 108 Bty, 2nd Anti-tank Regt. 2nd Infantry Division seen on Sept. 29, 1944 in the Eastern Scheldt area of the Netherlands. (Library and Archives Canada Image)
A low quality but interesting image of a very early Canadian T16 tower showing the trial fitting of the 6 Pdr. Anti-tank gun side shields. Note the “ON TEST” sign. (Canadian Army Image)
A close-up of the above carrier shwing the brackets for holding the shields in place. Note the WD number starts with “5” which is uncommon for T16 carriers in Canadian or British Service. (Canadian Army Image)
A Canadian T16 passing through Almelo, Netherlands in April 1945. (Unknown Source)
A T16 of the Highland Light Infantry of Canada in Krabbendijke, Netherlands on October 27, 1944. (Library and Archives Canada Image)
A Canadian T16 of a highland regiment in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 9 May 1945. note the anti-freeze markings and the rifles stored in the holders on the engine deck. (Archief Amsterdam Image)
A T16 6 Pdr. tower passing through a city with advancing infantry. (Unknown Source)
A Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa T16 4.2 Inch Mortar carrier fitted with a Browning machine-gun passing through Holten, Netherlands on April 9, 1945. (Library and Archives Canada)
A T16 of the Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa loaded into a Buffalo LVT for the crossing of the Rhine near Rees, Germany March 24, 1945. Note the drivers windscreen. (Library and Archives Canada Image)
A heavy mortar platoon carrier of the Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa being loaded into a Buffalo LVT for the assault crossing of the Savojaard Plaat in the Netherlands. Note the motorcycle on the T16. (Library and Archives Canada Image)
A T16 of the Royal Canadian Artillery towing a 6 Pdr. anti-tank gun past onlooking infantry. (Unknown Source)
A well laden Canadian T16 seen after the wars end in Holland or Germany. (Courtesy Dave Stewart)
A Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa T16 towing a 10-CWT GS trailer through Emmerich, Germany April, 1945. (Canadian Army Image)
T16 towers and ammunition carriers of the Essex Scottish Regiment of Canada. (Canadian Army Image)
A Canadian T16 ammunition carrier moving through Groningen, Netherlands in April 1945. Note the spare wheel and tire for the 6Pdr. anti-tank gun. (Canadian Army Image)
Gunners of the Royal Canadian Artillery pushing a six-pounder anti-tank gun across a canal while a T16 tower waits on the other bank. Netherlands, 7 April 1945. (Library and Archives Canada Image)
A T16 tower of the Royal Canadian Artillery with many of its markings painted out. (Library and Archives Canada Image)
A Canadian T16 in France, Summer 1944. (Library and Archives Canada Image)
Members of the Lake Superior Regiment in front of a T16 (on Right) . (Thunder Bay Museum Image)
“Duchess” a well armed T16 of the Lake Superior Regiment. Note the .50 and .30 Calibre Browning machine-guns. (Thunder Bay Museum Image)
Members of the Lake Superior Regiment in front of a .50 calibre machine-gun armed T16 . (Thunder Bay Museum Image)
A Canadian T16 in Amsterdam, Netherlands May 8, 1945 (Archief Amsterdam Image)
A T16 (second in row) 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 Image)
A T16 of the Royal Highland Light infantry of Canada (Courtesy Jordan Baker)
A very fresh T16 of the Royal Canadian Regiment entering Diemen, outside Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 8 May 1945. (Archief Amsterdam Image)
A well loaded T16 of the Royal Regiment of Canada at the Parkbrug in the Hoornsediep area of Groningen, Netherlands on April 14, 1945. Note the Bren machine-gun mounted on the front armour and the German camouflage zeltbahn used to cover the front of the hull. (Archief Amsterdam Image)
A Canadian T16 4.2 Inch mortar carrier with baseplate on the front glacis at Steenwijk, Netherlands 13 April, 1945 (Unknown source)
A T16 towing a 6Pdr. Hoogeveen, Netherlands 11 April 1945 (Courtesy Albert Wolting)
T16 Universal Carrier of the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry at the Bossestraat road, Woensdrecht, The Netherlands, 16 October 1944. (Library and Archives Canada Image)
T16 Universal Carriers of the Support Company of the Royal Hamilton Infantry, Zuid-Beveland, 27 October 1944. (Library and Archives Canada Image)
A T16 tower with improvised canvas top seen during the advance at Xanten, Wesel Germany. (Canadian Army Image)
Canadian T16’s of the 3rd Division seen at the Rhine Crossing in 1945. (Canadian Army Image)

Canadian T16 Post-War Image Gallery

A very uncommon postwar image of a T-16 in use by the Canadian Army in 1948. In this case the 4.2 Inch mortar carrier is seen towing a 6 Pdr. anti-tank gun. The DND registration number is “81-638”. (Canadian Army Image)

Surviving Canadian Army T16’s

This T-16 4.2 Inch mortar carrier was Shipped to Canada From UK. in October 1945. It was last used by the Canadian Army in Debert, Nova Scotia until the 1950’s when it sold as surplus. It was purchased by a well known Canadian beer baron Philip Oland who used it on his hunting property for many years. Oland later donated the carrier back to the Department of National Defence. It was later acquired and restored by 36 Service Battalion in Halifax where it remains. (Courtesy James Hastey)
Another image of the above carrier (Courtesy James Hastey)
This T-16 4.2 Inch mortar carrier was Shipped to Canada From UK. in October 1945. It was likely last used by the Canadian Army in Ottawa, Ontario until the 1950’s when it sold as surplus. It was subsequently converted to a log skidder and used north of Ottawa for many years. The carrier eventually fell out of use and was acquired by two militaria collectors in the late 1970’s who built the wooden superstructure and used it for hunting. In the late 1990’s it was donated to the Swords and Plowshares Museum in Kars, Ontario. Note the Loyd Carrier road wheels seen on other Canadian T-16’s in the Netherlands in 1945. (Jason Ginn Image)
Another image of the above carrier showing the original mounts for the towing attachment and heavily modified interior with raised drivers position. (Jason Ginn Image)
This T-16 4.2 Inch mortar carrier was Shipped to Canada From UK. in October 1945. Assigned DND Registration Number “82-032” Issued to “A” Battery of an unknown unit, Royal Canadian Artillery, Central Command and later to the Royal Canadian School of Infantry, Central Command. Subsequently sold as surplus and acquired by a farmer near Shilo, Manitoba where it remained until September 2016 when it was acquired by Royal Canadian Artillery Museum at CFB Shilo, Manitoba. (Courtesy Rob Love)
Another image of the above carrier. (Courtesy Rob Love)

Select Sources

Tools of The Trade, Clive Law, 2005

Vehicle Data Book, Canadian Army Overseas. Department of National Defence, 1944

T16 Universal Carrier, Hanno Spoelstra, https://www.mapleleafup.nl/t16carrier/

Bravery in the Face of Danger. The history of the Lake Superior (Scottish) Regiment – Motor Division. Thunder Bay Museum. https://youtu.be/HcmUvTlqyA0

An Army of Never-Ending Strength: The Reinforcement of the Canadian Army 1944-1945. Arthur Willoughby Gullachsen, 2016 https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=5362&context=etd