Royal Automobile Club Volunteer Force facts for kids

The Royal Automobile Club Volunteer Force was a special group of people. They were members of the Royal Automobile Club. When World War I started in 1914, these volunteers used their own cars. They joined the British Army in France and Belgium. Their job was to drive important officers around. They were like personal drivers, also called chauffeurs. After helping in the first battles, some of them got important jobs in the British military.

How the Volunteer Force Started

Shortly after the British Army went to France in August 1914, the War Office asked for help. They contacted the Royal Automobile Club (RAC). They needed twenty-five members with their own cars. These volunteers would help the army's main headquarters at the front lines.

The RAC interviewed volunteers and checked their cars. This was led by Julian Orde, the club's secretary. Once accepted, volunteers were told to get an officer's khaki uniform. They also gathered anything else they thought they would need. They had to be ready at Southampton Docks by August 21 to travel.

The RAC only gave them a special arm band. The War Office promised to pay them 10 French Francs a day. They also provided food and petrol for their cars.

What the Volunteers Did

The volunteers and their cars arrived in Le Havre on August 22. They traveled on a ship called SS Gloucester Castle. They drove their cars together to Amiens. There, they met Major-General Frederick Robb.

The volunteers were then sent to different army groups and divisions. Six of them went to the main army headquarters in Le Cateau.

These volunteers did a great job during tough battles. These included the Retreat from Mons, the First Battle of the Marne, and the First Battle of Ypres. They drove staff officers and important messages. They did this even in very dangerous places.

At the start of the war, there was no clear front line. Drivers sometimes found themselves in tricky situations. They were chased by German cavalry. They were shot at by German guards. French soldiers even stopped them, thinking they were spies.

Later, another group of forty-six volunteers joined. They helped during the Siege of Antwerp. Some of them joined the RNAS Armoured Car Section. Others became staff officers or found other roles. By the end of the war, 226 RAC members and 24 staff had volunteered. They earned many awards, including three Victoria Crosses. They also received twelve Distinguished Service Orders.

Important Members of the Force

Many interesting people were part of the Royal Automobile Club Volunteer Force. Here are a few:

Christopher Baker-Carr

Christopher D'Arcy Bloomfield Saltren Baker-Carr was a former army officer. He knew a lot about small arms (like rifles). He went to France in August 1914 with a borrowed Mercedes car. By early 1915, he had set up a special school. This school taught the whole British Army how to use machine guns. He also convinced Lord Kitchener to create the Machine Gun Corps. Later, he wrote a book about his war experiences. It was called From Chauffeur to Brigadier.

Frederic Coleman

Frederic Coleman was from the United States. He took his White car to France. He later wrote a book about his driving during the war. It was titled From Mons to Ypres with French: a personal narrative.

Hugh Grosvenor

Hugh Grosvenor, the 2nd Duke of Westminster, brought his Rolls-Royce car and his own driver to France. He later served with the RNAS Armoured Car Section. He also joined the Cheshire Yeomanry, another army unit.

Freddie Guest

Freddie Guest was a former officer in the Life Guards. He was also a Member of Parliament, a polo player, a pilot, and a racing driver. He took his Rolls-Royce car and became a personal assistant (called an ADC) to Sir John French, a top general.

Harry Primrose

Harry Primrose, Lord Dalmeny, brought his Rolls-Royce. He became a Camp Commandant and an ADC to General Allenby.

Alfred Rawlinson

Alfred "Toby" Rawlinson was a former cavalry officer. He was also an Olympic polo player, a pilot, and a racing driver. He took his Hudson sports car to France. By October 1914, he had become a staff officer with the rank of Colonel. After getting hurt, he joined the Royal Naval Air Service. He then created a special unit to defend London from early Zeppelin air raids. Later, he joined the Intelligence Corps. He helped arrange the peace agreement with Turkey. But he was later put in prison for 20 months because he was thought to be a spy.

James Radley

James Radley was a racing driver and a pilot. He brought his Rolls-Royce car to France.

James de Rothschild

James Armand de Rothschild owned racehorses. He took his Rolls-Royce to France. Because he was a French citizen, he was arrested in France. He was then made a private soldier in the French Army. But he quickly got a staff job with the British III Corps. He finished the war in Palestine as a major in the Jewish Legion.