The unit was raised in Melbourne during 1916 as part of the Australian Imperial Force during World War I, and left for Egypt in June of the same year.

As their original three vehicles became worn out from hard use in the Western Desert and were irreparable due to shortages of spare parts, the unit was reequipped with six Ford light cars.

The cars were given names: Anzac, Billzac, Osatal, Silent Sue, Imshi and Bung.

By November 1918 they had reached Aleppo with the British Indian 5th Cavalry Division, where they were believed to be the furthest advanced Australian unit at the conclusion of the campaign.

All were armoured, with the Daimler and Mercedes models armed with Colt machine guns.