The deacon was an improvised anti-tank platform used in the Western Desert in North Africa in 1942. Production began in December and 175 were built.
Underneath the 6 to 20mm of armour plating is an AEC Matador carrying a QF 6 pounder (57mm). These vehicles could not carry much ammunition and were followed everywhere by an ammunition carrying version. Typically operating in a platoon of 4 guns to one ammo carrier.
The vehicles were considered obsolete when the North Africa Campaign finished and surviving vehicles were either scrapped or sold to Turkey.
