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Tank Corps    The Tank Corps was formed from the Heavy Branch MGC on 27 July 1917 and the Battalions adopted numbering rather than letter designations (although tank names followed the same lettering: for example, 7th Battalion tanks were all named with a letter G, like Grouse, Grumble, etc.) Each Tank Battalion had a complement of 32 officers and 374 men. Originally formed as Companies of the Heavy Section MGC, designated A, B, C and D, each Company consisted of 4 Sections of 3 tanks of each type (male and female Mk 1's). Companies also had another machine in reserve. In November 1916 the Companies were expanded to Battalions, carrying the same letter designations. A Battalion consisted of 3 Companies. Three mobile workshops provided the engineering back-up to service the tanks. An expansion programme was ordered by GHQ, to build a force of 14 additional Battalions.      D Company, MGC Heavy Branch proceeded to France in late summer 1916 and saw action on the Western Front. They were renamed 4th Battalion, Tank Corps.    G Company, MGC Heavy Branch was formed in November 1916 and first saw action on the Western Front in 1917. They were renamed 7th Battalion, Tank Corps in April 1918. 25th Aug 1916 Preparations 26th Aug 1916 On the Move 28th Aug 1916 On the Move 29th Aug 1916 On the Move 30th Aug 1916 On the Move 31st Aug 1916 On the Move 1st Sep 1916 On the Move 2nd Sep 1916 On the Move 3rd Sep 1916 Equipment 4th Sep 1916 Equipment 5th Sep 1916 Equipment 6th Sep 1916 Arrivals 7th Sep 1916 Firing Practice 8th Sep 1916 Firing Practice 9th Sep 1916 On the Move 10th Sep 1916 Arrival 11th Sep 1916 Arrival 12th Sep 1916 Conference 13th Sep 1916 Bombardment 13th Sep 1916 Instructions   14th Sep 1916 Bombardment 14th Sep 1916 Instructions   15th Sep 1916 Tanks in Action   15th Sep 1916 In Action   15th Sep 1916 Attack Made   15th Sep 1916 Orders   25th Sep 1916 Orders Received 26th Sep 1916 Prisoners Taken   7th Oct 1916 Shelling   1st Feb 1917 Reorganisation   Mar 1917 Preparations 28th Mar 1917 Preparations 30th Mar 1917 Preparations 2nd Apr 1917 Visit 7th Apr 1917 Visit 8th Apr 1917 Visit 8th Apr 1917 Operations Planned   9th Apr 1917 In Action 9th Apr 1917 In Action   9th Apr 1917 In Action   9th Apr 1917 In Action   9th Apr 1917 In Action   10th Apr 1917 Unditching   10th Apr 1917 In Action   11th Apr 1917 In Action   11th Apr 1917 In Action   19th April 1917 Attack Made 24th May 1917 En Route to France 25th May 1917 Arrived at Le Havre 25th June 1917 The C.O. left for Poperinghe 26th May 1917 Rest most of the day. 27th May 1917 Kit inspections 28th May 1917 Arrived in Wairans 30th May 1917 Settling down in the billets 31st May 1917 Cleaning up the billets. 1st June 1917 Tanks need attention. 2nd June 1917 Col. Baker-Carr D.S.O. inspected 3rd June 1917 Church Parades 4th June 1917 Training carried out 5th June 1917 Brig. Gen. H.J. Elles D.S.O. inspected 6th June 1917 Training carried out 7th Jun 1917 In Action   7th June 1917 Tank Driving at Wailly. 8th June 1917 Advance Party for Wailly. 9th June 1917 Pitching camp at Wailly. 10th June 1917 Church Parades 11th June 1917 Training carried out 12th June 1917 Continued training. 13th June 1917 Training 15th June 1917 To & from Wailley 16th June 1917 Merlimont Gunnery School. 17th June 1917 12 Officers and 60 men of 19 Coy. proceeded to Wailly 18th June 1917 Orders received 19th June 1917 Tanks to Pierremont. 20th June 1917 Training carried out 22nd June 1917 No.19 Coy. Tanks to No.20 Coy. 23rd June 1917 Returned from Gunnery School 24th June 1917 Advance Party left for Poperinghe 26th June 1917 Training carried out 27th June 1917 The C.O. returned from Poperinghe. 28th June 1917 No.20 Coy. from Wailly. 29th June 1917 9 Tanks from Central Workshop 30th June 1917 Training carried out 1st July 1917 Training carried out 2nd July 1917 Operation Orders 3rd July 1917 Men to Oosthoek Woods 4th July 1917 Engaged in entraining. 5th July 1917 left for Oosthoek Woods 6th July 1917 Preparing to move to Erin 7th Jun 1917 Tanks in Action 7th July 1917 Tanks left for Central Workshops 8th July 1917 Arrived at Oesthoek Wood Camp 9th July 1917 Tanks shelled this morning 10th July 1917 Tank tracks carefully obliterated 11th July 1917 Tanks at Oesthoek Wood Camp 12th July 1917 Working on the Tanks in Oosthoek Wood 13th July 1917 Work on tracks. 14th July 1917 19th Coy. to the Tankdrome 15th July 1917 Difficulty with Sponsons. 16th July 1917 Brigade Commander's address 16th July 1917 Amendment to Preliminary Instructions No.1   16th July 1917 Amendments   16th July 1917 Attack   17th July 1917 Preliminary Instructions No.1 18th July 1917 South of Fantasia   19th July 1917 Preliminary Instructions No.2 19th July 1917 Preliminary Instructions.   19th July 1917 Operational Order No.1.   20th July 1917 Attack rehearsal 20th July 1917 Locations of Units   20th July 1917 Pigeons   20th July 1917 Movement Order No.2. 20th July 1917 Train Timetable 21st July 1917 Three more Tanks arrived 22nd July 1917 Engaged in fitting new unditching Gear 23rd July 1917 Operation Order No.1 was issued. 24th July 1917 Moved off from Oosthoek Wood 25th July 1917 "Z" day postponed 25th July 1917 Starting points of the Tanks   25th July 1917 Instructions for Limbered Wagons   26th July 1917 Dump at Frascati incomplete 27th July 1917 Rumours received 28th July 1917 Tanks to Frascati. 29th July 1917 Tank Ditched 30th July 1917 Tanks at Frascati 31st Jul 1917 In Action   31st Jul 1917 In Action   31st Jul 1917 In Action   31st Jul 1917 In Action   31st July 1917 The 18th Corps. attacked 1st August 1917 Operations with 5th Army   1st August 1917 Operations with 5th Army   1st August 1917 Operations with 5th Army   1st August 1917 Broken down Tanks 2nd Aug 1917 Message of Congratulation   2nd August 1917 Salvage 3rd August 1917 Tank hit. 4th August 1917 Guards to withdraw 5th August 1917 Tank Hit 6th August 1917 Tanks shelled. 7th August 1917 All moveable Tanks to Brielel 8th August 1917 1st Brigade Order No.11 9th August 1917 ZERO day altered 10th August 1917 Order No.4.   11th August 1917 ZERO day has been postponed 12th August 1917 ZERO day again postponed 13th August 1917 Ammendment to Order No.4.   14th August 1917 Tanks Move Up 15th August 1917 Lying Up Positions 16th August 1917 18th Corps. Attacked with the 48th Division 17th August 1917 Orders received 17th August 1917 Reports of Crew Commanders.   17th August 1917 1st Brigade Tank Corps. Order No.15.   17th August 1917 48th Division Order No.12.   18th August 1917 Tanks had a good run 18th August 1917 11th Division Order No.101. 18th August 1917 Tank Corps. Order No.5.   18th August 1918 Operational Order No.1    19th August 1917 Attack Made 19th August 1917 Report on Operations 19/8/17. 19th August 1917 Amendment to Operational Order No.1. 19th August 1918 Instructions No.2   20th August 1917 Crews return 20th August 1918 7th Tank Battalion. Instructions No.1    21st August 1917 Replace Tanks 22nd August 1917 Bringing Tanks back 23rd August 1917 Tankodromes 24th August 1917 Inspection 25th August 1917 Cleaning up 26th August 1917 Tank G.51 1st September 1917 One Coy. of "G" Battalion to Wailley 2nd September 1917 1st Brigade Order No.16 2nd September 1917 lst Brigade Tank corps. Order No.16. 3rd September 1917 Moved back from Ghent Cottages 3rd September 1917 Order No.6 4th September 1917 In Harbour 5th September 1917 Advance Party left 7th September 1917 Entraining 8th September 1917 On the Move 11th September 1917 Visit 13th September 1917 More Tanks 15th September 1917 Officer Reports 17th September 1917 Infantry and Tank Attack. 18th September 1917 Old Tank moved up 20th September 1917 5th Army again Attacked 21st September 1917 Tests of 'Felt Bullet Splashes' 22nd September 1917 Tanks Arrive 25th September 1917 Attachment to 7th Tank Regt. 26th September 1917 5th Corps Attacked. 27th September 1917 Report on Operations.   28th September 1917 Wanted for operations 29th September 1917 Unditching Clips were experimented with 1st October 1917 Be ready for Action. 2nd October 1917 Brigade Conference 3rd October 1917 Seven Female Tanks arrived 4th October 1917 Preliminary Instructions No.1 5th October 1917 Move 6th October 1917 Visit 7th October 1917 Received Unditching Gear. 8th October 1917 O.O.No.20 received 9th October 1917 No more movement 10th October 1917 Removal of derilict Tanks 12th October 1917 Orders from Brigade 13th October 1917 All operations seem to be cancelled 20th October 1917 Two Officers join Salvage 21st October 1917 Blew up a derilict Tank 24th October 1917 Move back 25th October 1917 Orders for move tomorrow 26th October 1917 Move cancelled. 27th October 1917 On the Move 28th October 1917 Move 29th October 1917 Camp 30th October 1917 Fixing up camps. 31st October 1917 Conference at Brigade H.Q. 1st Nov 1917 New Arrivals   1st Nov 1917 Tests 1st Nov 1917 Maintenance 1st Nov 1917 Postings 1st Nov 1917 HQ Moves 1st Nov 1917 Maintenance 1st Nov 1917 Recce 1st Nov 1917 On the Move   1st November 1917 Recce 2nd Nov 1917 Recce 2nd Nov 1917 On the Move   3rd Nov 1917 On the Move 3rd Nov 1917 Conference 3rd Nov 1917 Recce 3rd November 1917 7th Tank Regt. practiced with the Infantry. 4th Nov 1917 Training   4th Nov 1917 Demonstration 4th Nov 1917 Demonstration 4th Nov 1917 Training 4th November 1917 Practice with Fascines 5th Nov 1917 Training 5th Nov 1917 Strength 5th Nov 1917 Lecture 5th Nov 1917 Training 5th Nov 1917 Training 5th November 1917 Timetable of moves 6th Nov 1917 New Tanks Collected 6th Nov 1917 Construction 6th Nov 1917 Posting 6th Nov 1917 Training 6th November 1917 Practice 7th Nov 1917 New Tanks 7th Nov 1917 Equipment 7th Nov 1917 Strength 7th Nov 1917 Demonstration 7th Nov 1917 Training 7th Nov 1917 Training   7th November 1917 Another practice 8th Nov 1917 Camouflage   8th Nov 1917 Postings 8th Nov 1917 Demonstration 8th Nov 1917 Training 8th Nov 1917 Training   8th November 1917 Practice with 186th Infantry Brigade. 9th Nov 1917 Recce 9th Nov 1917 Training 9th November 1917 Another practice with 185th Infantry Brigade 10th Nov 1917 Orders Received 10th Nov 1917 Preparations 10th Nov 1917 On the March 10th November 1917 Busy getting Tanks ready 11th Nov 1917 On the Move 11th Nov 1917 Lecture 11th Nov 1917 Hospital 11th Nov 1917 Instructions 11th Nov 1917 Training 11th November 1917 Companies practiced Fascine dropping 12th Nov 1917 On the Move 12th Nov 1917 Recce 12th Nov 1917 Recce 12th Nov 1917 Demonstration 12th November 1917 Adjutant visited Brigade Tankodrome 13th November 1917 Tanks of all Companies Move 14th November 1917 Battalion H.Q. moves 15th November 1917 Companies 7th Tank Regt. move 16th November 1917 B.G.C. inspects Sledge Pullers 17th November 1917 Sledge Pulling 18th November 1917 Tanks arrive 19th November 1917 On the Move 20th Nov 1917 Ditched   A Mark IV (Male) tank of H Battalion ditched in a German trench while supporting the 1st Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment, one mile west of Ribecourt. Some men of the battalion are resting in the trench © IWM (Q 6433) 20th November 1917 Report of 3rd Corps and 4th Corps attack. 21st Nov 1917 Transfers 21st November 1917 Further Attack 22nd Nov 1917 The Great Secret   22nd November 1917 Orders for further attack 23rd November 1917 Further attack with 12 "G" Battalion Tanks 24th Nov 1917 Praise 24th November 1917 All quiet. 25th November 1917 All Tanks and crews to move back 26th November 1917 Nearly all Tanks now back 27th November 1917 All quiet. 28th November 1917 Move Expected 29th November 1917 Parade. 30th November 1917 Enemy Attack 1st December 1917 Orders 2nd December 1917 Orders were issued to 7th Tank Regt. 3rd December 1917 Be ready to move 4th December 1917 Orders received   5th December 1917 Nothing to record 6th December 1917 Major Fernie ordered to take over from Col. Hankey 7th December 1917 Move to back area. 8th December 1917 Entrain at Sorel. 9th December 1917 12 Tanks move to Plateau. 10th December 1917 12 Tanks move to Plateau. 11th December 1917 Handed over 36 Tanks to Col. Burnett. 12th December 1917 Move to Meaulte. 13th December 1917 Move to Meaulte. 14th December 1917 Reported Tanks at Meaulte. 1st January 1918 Repairing Tanks 8th January 1918 Tanks join 4th Brigade. 9th January 1918 7th Tank Regt. reports 10th January 1918 General routine 17th January 1918 1st Brigade School formed 18th January 1918 Tanks repaired 28th January 1918 Tanks repaired and hut building. 31st January 1918 Preliminary Orders 1st February 1918 General training. 11th February 1918 Probable move to 1st Army area 12th February 1918 Getting Tanks fit. 15th February 1918 Radiator problems. 17th February 1918 Start the move with "A" Coy. 18th February 1918 H.Q. at chateau Ray Eiffel. 19th February 1918 Move of "B" & "C" Companies. 20th February 1918 Tanks parked at Tankodrome 1st March 1918 Training with 1st Canadian Division 2nd March 1918 Reconnaisance of including Hill 70 3rd March 1918 Training with 1st Canadian Division 4th March 1918 Reconnaisance 5th March 1918 Lecture to Divisional Infantry 6th March 1918 General routine 7th March 1918 Laison with 1st Canadian Division 8th March 1918 Battle practice 9th March 1918 Laison with 1st Canadian Infantry. 10th March 1918 General routine 11th March 1918 Battle practice 12th March 1918 Lectures to 20th & 21st Battalions Infantry. 13th March 1918 Battle practice 14th March 1918 Lectures to 3rd Canadian Infantry Brigade. 15th March 1918 Battle practice 16th March 1918 General repairs 19th March 1918 Battle practice 20th March 1918 Battle practice 21st of March 1918 Intense Barrage    21st March 1918 Battle practice 22nd Mar 1918 On the Move 22nd March 1918 General repairs 23rd Mar 1918 Shelling 23rd Mar 1918 Fighting Withdrawal   23rd March 1918 Lectures to 8th Canadian Infantry 24th Mar 1918 Gas 24th Mar 1918 In Defence   25th Mar 1918 Counter Attack 25th March 1918 Reconnaisance. 26th March 1918 Taping and masking. 28th of March 1918 Orders   28th March 1918 L.G. Company mobilised. 29th March 1918 L.G. Company withdrawn. 30th Mar 1918 In Action 30th March 1918 Standing by. 31st of March 1918 Relief Completed   1st April 1918 Tank lectures. 12th April 1918 Orders were received 13th April 1918 Seven men were Killed   14th April 1918 Tanks moved   15th April 1918 anning previous line. 16th of April 1918 French Support Arrives   16th April 1918 Gunners withdrawn from the line 17th of April 1918 Orders and a Letter   17th April 1918 Standing by   18th of April 1918 Orders and a Message   19th of April 1918 Orders   20th of April 1918 Order Alteration   21st April 1918 Conference at 4th Divisional H.Q.   22nd April 1918 Changed sprockets 23rd April 1918 Reconnoitered Bethune area 24th April 1918 General reconnaisance 30th of April 1918 Reports   1st May 1918 Operation "Delta". 2nd May 1918 Reconnaisance for Operation. 6th May 1918 "A" Company can't move 7th May 1918 Orders received   8th May 1918 "B" & "C" Companies on train. 9th May 1918 Arrived at Hersin   10th May 1918 Positions taken up 11th May 1918 No further dispositions 17th May 1918 Two Tanks of "B" Company were hit 22nd May 1918 Six training Tanks drawn   23rd May 1918 Two Male Tanks drawn 30th May 1918 Ordered to move.   31st May 1918 "A" Company En Route 1st June 1918 Position of Companies   2nd June 1918 Battalion Gunnery School 4th June 1918 Disinfection of blankets and clothing 5th June 1918 Field Exercises 6th June 1918 Field Exercises 7th June 1918 Field Exercises 10th June 1918 Field day 11th June 1918 Field Exercises 13th June 1918 Field Exercises 14th June 1918 Field Exercises 17th June 1918 Field day 20th June 1918 Field Exercises 24th June 1918 Taking over 4 Baggage Tanks. 25th June 1918 General routines. 1st July 1918 Training with Infantry 9th July 1918 From Equinegatte to Erin 10th July 1918 Handed in 12 Fighting Tanks 12th July 1918 Returned to Bouvigny 13th July 1918 Received a Warning Order 14th July 1918 General routine 21st July 1918 As per 7th Tank Regt. G/274. 25th July 1918 General course 1st August 1918 Battle Plan 1st August 1918 Battle Plans 1st August 1918 Battle Plan   1st August 1918 Gunnery Course. 3rd August 1918 Orders to be ready to move. 4th August 1918 Moved by road to Erin   5th August 1918 Tanks parked up 6th August 1918 Move from Merlemont. 7th August 1918 Move to Blangy 8th Aug 1918   A/Major Basil Terah Hooley, 7th Sherwood Foresters then 2nd Tank Corps, 5th Battalion was awarded an M.C. For gallantry and devotion to duty when in command of a company of tanks near Domart, 8th August 1918. In order to reach his position of deployment this officer had to take his tanks across the river Luce by Thennes Bridge and move them for a distance of 1700 yards to a flank within100 yards of the enemy front line. The bridge at Thennes was in a very precarious condition, and the entire approach march had to be carried out through the area in which the enemy’s barrage was known to fall. In carrying out this most difficult operation Major Hooley displayed the greatest coolness and judgement, and succeeded in getting all thirteen tanks to a position of deployment, whence the proceeded into action at zero. Throughout the operation on 8th August Major Hooley kept in close touch with his tanks in spite of heavy artillery and machine-gun fire, and supervised them in their operations with the greatest judgement and decision. His gallantry and capable handling of his command enabled the infantry to reach their objectives at the expense of very few casualties. THE TANK CORPS BOOK OF HONOUR Book owned by father John Peter Lloyd 460 pages, here is just one entry on page 155 and I quote 8th Aug 1918 Attack Made   8th August 1918 Assault 8th August 1918 Through the Fog 8th August 1918 Extra 6 Mk4. Tanks. 9th August 1918 Orders to be ready to move 10th August 1918 Move cancelled. 11th August 1918 General routines 15th August 1918 Moved to wood V.21.central.    16th August 1918 Battalion Movements   17th August 1918 Moved to Wood E.8.b.central.   18th August 1918 Preparing Tanks 19th August 1918 Operational Orders 21st August 1918 Tanks in Action. 22nd Aug 1918 Village taken   Mark V (Female) tanks of the 4th Battalion, Tank Corps, passing through Meaulte on 22nd of August 1918, the day the village was captured by the 5th Battalion, Royal Berkshire Regiment of 12th Division. © IWM (Q 7301) IWM 22nd August 1918 Dispositions    23rd August 1918 See Appendix 26th August 1918 Crews resting 28th August 1918 Report on Operations with 4th Corps.   29th Aug 1918 Message   29th August 1918 Moved to lying up position 30th August 1918 In Action 31st August 1918 Crews resting 1st September 1918 Crews resting. 2nd September 1918 Tanks in Action. 3rd September 1918 Salving equipment 4th September 1918 Crews resting 5th September 1918 Salving equipment. 6th September 1918 Getting Tanks fit. 7th September 1918 Crews returned from coast 10th September 1918 Crews working on getting Tanks fit. 13th September 1918 Rested crews returned from the coast. 17th September 1918 Pending operations with Canadian Corps. 19th September 1918 Reconnoitered routes to forward area. 20th September 1918 Moved forward to Bihucourt 21st September 1918 C.O. attended a conference 22nd September 1918 Crews fitting special cribs to Tanks. 23rd September 1918 Liaison with Canadian Divisions 24th September 1918 H.Q. closed at Bihucourt   25th September 1918 Liaison with Infantry Brigade. 26th September 1918 The C.O. visited Tanks 27th September 1918 "Z" Day 28th September 1918 In Action. 29th September 1918 Crews resting after action 30th September 1918 Tanks in Action. 1st October 1918 Crews of "A" & "C" Coys. withdrawn   2nd October 1918 Tanks not needed for a few days. 5th Oct 1918 In Action 5th October 1918 Crews resting. 6th October 1918 All Tanks were fitted with Smoke gadgets. 7th October 1918 Crews on Squad Drill 9th October 1918 Battalion formed in to two composite Fighting Sections. 10th October 1918 Moved up to a lying up post 11th October 1918 Tanks ordered to concentrate at Fontaine. 12th of October 1918 New Divisional Area 12th October 1918 Tanks trekking to Fontaine 13th October 1918 11 Officers proceed to UK for Corps expansion. 15th October 1918 Expansion Party left for U.K. 18th of October 1918  Gas Shelling    18th October 1918 Tanks trekked to Havrincourt 20th of October 1918    21st October 1918 H.Q. closed at Fontaine 22nd of October 1918 Advance to Resume   22nd October 1918 Awaiting train at Havrincourt. 23rd October 1918 C.O. visited Companies 24th October 1918 Tanks arrived from Havrincourt 25th October 1918 Occupying huts and settling down. 26th October 1918 Inspection of camp by C.O. 27th October 1918 Church Parades 28th October 1918 rew 6 Mk.5 Tanks from central workshops 29th October 1918 Course for mechanical maintainance 30th of October 1918  30th October 1918 Companies on Drill 31st October 1918 Lecture by the Adjutant 1st November 1918 Companies on Tank Tactical Exercise 2nd of November 1918    2nd November 1918 Maintainance course 3rd November 1918 C.O. inspected "A" Coy. 4th of November 1918 Attack Continued    4th November 1918 Training. 5th November 1918 Visit from the Brigade Major. 6th November 1918 Maintainance and Hotchkiss course. 7th November 1918 Range and Hotchkiss Course. 8th November 1918 Company Parades 9th November 1918 Billet inspection 10th November 1918 Church Parades 11th November 1918 Gas Drill, Saluting. 12th of November 1918 Report   12th November 1918 Lectures on Compass and Stars 13th November 1918 Maintainance and Hotchkiss Course 14th November 1918 Instruction on Guard Mounting. 15th November 1918 Maintaince Course, Gunnery, P.T. 16th November 1918 Pay Parade 17th November 1918 Programme of work 19th November 1918 Programme of Work 23rd November 1918 Programme of Work 23rd November 1918 reinforcements 24th November 1918 Programme of Work 30th November 1918 Entrain the Battalion for Winnepeg Camp 31st December 1918 Group Inspection 1st December 1918 Moved from Blingy Camp 2nd December 1918 Companies working on camp. 3rd December 1918 Fatigues in camp. 4th December 1918 Gunnery and mechanical maintainance courses 5th December 1918 Bath's 6th December 1918 Maintainance, driving, Gunnery 7th December 1918 Courses and fatigues 9th December 1918 Visit 10th December 1918 68 reinforcements 11th December 1918 A small fire broke out in the living hut 12th December 1918 C.O. visited No.1 Tank Group 13th December 1918 Firing on the Range 14th December 1918 Court of Inquiry assembled 15th December 1918 Church Parades 16th December 1918 Crew Training and Fatigues. 17th December 1918 Leave granted. 18th December 1918 Inspection of Mobilisation Stores 19th December 1918 Camp fatigues. 20th December 1918 Maintainance and Gunnery course. 21st December 1918 Guard Room built at entrance to camp. 22nd December 1918 C.O's. Inspection. 23rd December 1918 Recreational Training. 24th December 1918 Holiday breakfast at 0800 hours 25th December 1918 Holiday. 26th December 1918 Holiday. 27th December 1918 Resuming work. 28th December 1918 Schedule "A" training for Crews. 29th December 1918 Church Parades 30th December 1918 Battalion march past 31st December 1918 Contents 31st December 1918 Preparations 31st December 1918 The first Battle of Cambrai. 31st December 1918 Meaulte Interlude. 31st December 1918 The Defensive. 31st December 1918 The Final Battles. 31st December 1918 The Armistice. 31st December 1918 Roll of Honour. 31st December 1918 Honours and Rewards. 1st January 1919 Holiday breakfast 0800 hours. 3rd January 1919 Educational Courses started. 4th January 1919 Pay Parade. 5th January 1919 Church Parades 6th January 1919 Crew Training 10th January 1919 Short Route Marches. 11th January 1919 Companies Inspections 12th January 1919 Church Parades 13th January 1919 Crew Training 15th January 1919 Games 16th January 1919 Companies Inspections 18th January 1919 16 O.R's Demobilised. 19th January 1919 Demob & Leave 20th January 1919 Tanks inspected by Inspectors. 21st January 1919 Lecture by Capt. G. Ritchie 22nd January 1919 Refresher Gunnery course 23rd January 1919 Conference of Company Commanders 24th January 1919 Chaplain lecture. 25th January 1919 Pay Parade. 26th January 1919 33 O.R's Demobilised. 27th January 1919 Skeleton Crews running Tanks 28th January 1919 Crews working on Tanks 29th January 1919 Crews working on Tanks 30th January 1919 Bathing 31st January 1919 2 Officer's and 18 O.R's Demobilised. 1st February 1919 Games in the afternoon. 2nd February 1919 2 Officer's and 14 O.R's Demobilised. 3rd February 1919 Camp and Tankodrome inspected 4th February 1919 C.O. left for Transport for Dental treatment. 5th February 1919  Weather bad. 6th February 1919 No.2 group inspectors arrived 7th February 1919 Crews at work jacking up Tanks for inspection. 8th February 1919 Company messes amalgamated 9th February 1919 Battalion is now formed in to one composite Company 10th February 1919 No work possible, water supply freezing. 11th February 1919 Capt. Abbot assuming Command. 12th February 1919 Cleaning away Snow and repairing Duck Boards. 13th February 1919 8 O.R's Demobilised. 14th February 1919 Thaw started. 15th February 1919 Men preparing Tanks for inspection. 16th February 1919 Church Parades 17th February 1919 3 O.R's Demobilised. 18th February 1919 Visited by O.C. No.2. Group Inspectorate. 20th February 1919 Demob 22nd February 1919 Games in the afternoon followed by Pay Parade. 23rd February 1919 C.O's inspection of camp. 24th February 1919 Visited by G.O.C. 1st Brigade. 25th February 1919 Exhibition of Tanks to C.O. 287th Artillery. 26th February 1919 Inspection by No.2 Group inspectorate. 27th February 1919 6 O.R's Demobilised. 28th February 1919 Driver refresher course. 1st March 1919 Camp fatigues. 2nd March 1919 C.O. inspected the camp and Institutes. 3rd March 1919 C.O.returned from sick leave. 4th March 1919 Weather bad 5th March 1919  Visited by No.2. Group Inspectors. 7th March 1919 Games in the afternoon. 8th March 1919 Posting 9th March 1919 Camp Inspections 10th March 1919 Crews working on Tanks. 13th March 1919 Preparing Tanks for hand over 14th March 1919 Adjutant visited 12th Battalion to arrange for transfer of personnel in Tanks. 15th March 1919 Camp fatigues. 16th March 1919 Church Parades 17th March 1919 Mobilisation Stores being returned. 18th March 1919 Instruction A.1441/B., 4 Officers of 7th Tank Regt. transferred to 12th Tank Battalion. 19th March 1919 Transfer 20th March 1919 Central Stores collected Mobilisation Stores. 21st March 1919 10 Tanks transferred to 12th Battalion 22nd March 1919 All men except cadre transferred to 12th Battalion 23rd March 1919 Cleaning up camp. 29th March 1919 Entrained for Le Treport 1st April 1919 Remainder of Cadre, Personnel and Stores arrived. 2nd April 1919 Daily inspections 7th April 1919 Daily inspections and P.T. 13th April 1919 Demob 14th April 1919 Daily Inspections 18th April 1919 Good Friday 27th April 1919 One Warrant Officer sent to Wareham 1st May 1919 Daily inspections 8th May 1919 Entrained Cadre for Boulogne. 9th May 1919 Entrained at Boulogne for move to No.3 Rest Camp. 10th May 1919 Cadre embarked the boat then sailed to Dover If you can provide any additional information, please add it here. Want to know more about Tank Corps ? There are:5881 items tagged Tank Corps available in our Library   These include information on officers, regimental histories, letters, diary entries, personal accounts and information about actions during the Great War. Those known to have served with Tank Corps during the Great War 1914-1918. Alexander A.. Sgt. Allen Cyril Sheldon. Pte. A Btn. (d.20th Nov 1917) Arthurs Frederick Charles. Gnr. F Battalion Ashworth Alfred Edward. 2/Lt. Bell Anthony M.. Lt. 15 Btn. Brennan William Patrick. Sgt. 1st Battalion Bullock Frank. 14th Btn. (d.9th Aug 1918) Bullock Frank. Pte. 14th Btn. (d.9th August 1918) Church John Edward. 2Lt. 20th Tank Battalion, B Company Cleaver Sidney James. Gnr. 8th Btn. 11 Section. Cotton Thomas. Pte. 4th Btn. (d.23rd July 1918) Cruickshank S. C.W.. Capt. Cullum Robert Henry. Pte Dorgan James. Cpl 11th Btn (d.23rd Aug 1918) Drew John William. S/Sgt. 2/8th (Cyclist) Btn. Farrell Thomas. Sjt. Francois Luc Rene. Pte. Garbutt Lawrence Mark. 2Lt. 9th Btn. (d.10th Aug 1918) Graham Andrew. Pte. Machine Gun Section Hall John. Lt. 9th (Glasgow) Battalion Harrison William Herbert. Sgt. Holt Albert Fletcher. Pte. 3rd Battalion Humphreys Noel Forbes. Capt. 10th Btn. (d.27th March 1918) Keegans John. Pte. 7th Btn. Kendall Robert. Cpl. 2/7th Btn. Kirkham Joseph. Pte. 8 Bn TC 5 Tank Bde Mansell Burton Arthur. Pte. 16th Btn. Neal Josiah. Pte. Nelson Robert. Pte. Newsam Harry Brighstone. 2nd Lt. 3rd Battalion (Light) (d.8th Aug1918) Powell Ernest John. Fus. 26th Btn. Richardson Alexander John. Cpl. 1st Battalion, D Company Sewell Cecil Howell. Lt. 3rd (Light) Tank Bn. (d.29th August 1918) Short John James. Smith Henry Thomas Bayard. 2nd Lt. (d.25th March 1918) Snowdon Gilbert. Pte C Coy. 18th Btn. Spencer Randolph Churchill. Sgt. 1st Battalion Stiddard Sidney George. Pte. 12th Btn. (d.2nd Sep 1918) Stokes Arthur George. Cpl. C Coy. Tabor Alfred James. Pte 9th (I) Battalion (d.23rd July 1918) Taylor Henry. Pte 13th Battalion (d.25th April 1918) Thornton Ernest. Cpl. C Coy. Vans-Agnew Frank. Capt. B. Btn. Wain Richard William Leslie. Capt. (d.20th Nov 1917) Wain Richard William Leslie. Capt. 25th Btn. att. A Bn. Tank Corps (d.20th Nov 1917) Walmsley John. Corporal 3rd Battalion, C Coy Watkins James. Pte. 1st Battalion (d.23rd Sep 1918) Webster James. Sgt. (d.4th April 1918) West Richard Annesley. Lt/Col. attd. Tank Corps (d.2nd September 1918) Whale Benjamin. Pte. 9th Btn. (d.29th September 1918) Wildman Arthur Frank. WO. 14th Battalion Williams Garfield. L/Cpl H Company Williams William. Sgt. 19th Btn. Wray George Victor. Cpl. Yallop Ronald Robert. Pte. B Coy (d.12th April 1917) All names on this list have been submitted by relatives, friends, neighbours and others who wish to remember them, if you have any names to add or any recollections or photos of those listed, please Add a Name to this List The Wartime Memories Project is the original WW1 and WW2 commemoration website. 1st of September 2024 marks 25 years since the launch of the Wartime Memories Project. Thanks to everyone who has supported us over this time. Want to find out more about your relative's service? Want to know what life was like during the Great War? Our Library contains many many diary entries, personal letters and other documents, most transcribed into plain text. Looking for help with Family History Research?    Please see Family History FAQ's Please note: We are unable to provide individual research. Can you help? The free to access section of The Wartime Memories Project website is run by volunteers and funded by donations from our visitors. 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If you have any unwanted photographs, documents or items from the First or Second World War, please do not destroy them. The Wartime Memories Project will give them a good home and ensure that they are used for educational purposes. Please get in touch for the postal address, do not sent them to our PO Box as packages are not accepted. World War 1 One ww1 wwII greatwar great battalion regiment artillery Did you know? We also have a section on World War Two. and a Timecapsule to preserve stories from other conflicts for future generations. 1206596 Sgt. William Williams 19th Btn. Tank Corps From the age of 12, William Williams went down the mines, leading the pit ponies. Trained as a Male Nurse then enlisted in Royal Welsh Fusilliers. Selected to join the Heavy Machine Gun section which became the Tank Corps ; as mechanic/driver/gunner. Later became Sgt. 5/11/18 and Tank commander. Returned to nursing at The Priory with many famous patients 'Grandad Bill' wrote his memoirs which included a significant amount of detail of his time in the Tank Corps. This is his account of being signed up and trained: The army at this time were stopping men at the railway stations and asking for their papers. I had none so thought I would take a chance and wrote for some. The result was, I got my calling up papers to join the army. I reported and was asked if there was a regiment I would like to join. I said the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, there was a London battalion, so I joined that in 1916. I was sent to Kinnock Park, Rhyl. I found some old school pals in other battalions there. I got through my recruits drill after two months. Then one day coming off parade I got the call, '24477 Williams report to the company office'. I reported and was given a pass for four days. Still in the dark of what it was about, on reporting back I was sent with 10 others to be transferred to the Machine Gun Corp (Heavy Section) at Wool in Dorset. The train was full of men going to the same place. When we arrived we were put in huts for the night, all wondering what it was, there were men from every regiment in the British Army there. We found out that it was for what was to be known later as the Tank Corps. After a success on the Somme with a few tanks it had been decided to raise four battalions and we were the lot. It was a little while before things were settled down, as there was only one doctor there. No medical examinations were given, instead we were taken to what was an old crater on a hillside, and seven men at a time were put on it to run round, up and down. That was the test, if they pulled a man out he was sent back. I got through it so that was my corp for the rest of the war. I met some very nice men there and formed a friendship with Cliff Baldwin, a Yorkshire lad. We were pals for the whole time. We were soon put into a new kind of training with machine guns, six pounder guns for the gunners, and driving and maintenance tests for drivers, also signalling, Morse code and pigeon training. So we were kept busy. We were put into crews of seven men and one officer. It was all interesting. I was first gunner and Cliff was the first driver. The gunners were sent to Whale Island, Portsmouth for a course with the Navy, as the Army had not any schools to try us, we would be firing from a moving tank at a moving object. John Morriss Add to this record. 1206301 Lt. Cecil Howell Sewell VC 3rd (Light) Tank Bn. Tank Corps (d.29th August 1918) Cecil Sewell was killed in action on 29th August 1918 aged 23 and is buried in the Vaux Hill Cemetery in France. He was the son of Harry Bolton Sewell and Mary Ann Sewell, of 26 Crooms Hill, Greenwich, London. His brothers Harry Kemp Sewell and Herbert Victor Sewell also fell. An extract from The London Gazette, No. 30982, dated 29th Oct., 1918, records the following:- "When in command of a section of Whippet Light Tanks in action this officer displayed most conspicuous bravery and initiative in getting out of his own Tank and crossing open ground under heavy shell and machine-gun fire to rescue the crew of another Whippet of his section which had side slipped into a large shell-hole, overturned and taken fire. The door of the Tank having become jammed against the side of the shell-hole, Lt. Sewell, by his own unaided efforts, dug away the entrance to the door and released the crew. In so doing he undoubtedly saved the lives of the officer and men inside the Tank as they could not have got out without his assistance. After having extricated the crew, seeing one of his own crew lying wounded behind his Tank, he again dashed across the open ground to his assistance. He was hit in doing so, but succeeded in reaching the Tank when a few minutes later he was again hit, fatally, in the act of dressing his wounded driver. During the whole of this period he was within full view and short range of the enemy machine guns and rifle-pits, and throughout, by his prompt and heroic action, showed an utter disregard for his own personal safety." s flynn Add to this record. 1206210 Lt/Col. Richard Annesley West VC DSO MC attd. Tank Corps North Irish Horse (d.2nd September 1918) Richard West was killed in action on 2nd September 1918 aged 40. He had also served in the South African War and was the son of Augustus E. and Sarah West, of Whitepark, Co. Fermanagh; husband of Maude E. West, of 14, Trafalgar Square, Chelsea, London. An extract from the Second Supplement to The London Gazette, No. 30982, dated 29th Oct., 1918, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery, leadership and self-sacrifice. During an attack, the infantry having lost their bearings in the dense fog, this officer at once collected and re-organised any men he could find and led them to their objective in face of heavy machine-gun fire. Throughout the whole action he displayed the most utter disregard of danger, and the capture of the objective was in a great part due to his initiative and gallantry." s flynn Add to this record. 1206098 Pte. Ronald Robert Yallop B Coy Machine Gun Corps (Heavy Branch) (d.12th April 1917) On the 6th of April Ronald Yallop wrote to his uncle who was serving in Egypt. He commented that his winter quarters had been good and he had had a good rest with "beaucoup cafes etc". He then commented that they were having their share now and he had only had about 10 hours sleep in the past 72 hours. This letter was probably never sent by Ron as we now have it in an envelope with a black border and a picture of his grave stuck to it. He died on 12th April 1917 of his wounds and is now buried in Mont Huon Military Cemetery, Le Treport. According to evidence I have sourced his Battalion was based in Pierremont, France at this time and the tanks he was training to use did not enter the action until after his death. Clare Hensman Add to this record. 1205956 Capt. Richard William Leslie Wain VC. 25th Btn. att. A Bn. Tank Corps Manchester Regiment (d.20th Nov 1917) Richard Wain was killed in action on the 20th of November 1917, aged 20 and commemorated on The Cambrai Memorial in France. He was the son of Florence E. Wain, of Woodside, The Avenue, Llandaff, Cardiff, and the late Harris Wain. An extract from The London Gazette, dated 13th Feb., 1918, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery in command of a section of Tanks. During an attack the Tank in which he was, was disabled by a direct hit near an enemy strong point which was holding up the attack. Capt. Wain and one man, both seriously wounded, were the only survivors. Though bleeding profusely from his wounds, he refused the attention of stretcher-bearers, rushed from behind the Tank with a Lewis gun, and captured the strong point, taking about half the garrison prisoners. Although his wounds were very serious he picked up a rifle and continued to fire at the retiring enemy until he received a fatal wound in the head. It was due to the valour displayed by Capt. Wain that the infantry were able to advance." s flynn Add to this record. 1205798 Fus. Ernest John Powell 26th Btn. Royal Fusiliers Fusilier Powell was my father. In 1953, he gave a short talk about his career to his Rotary Club (West Wickham, Kent). In this talk he referred to his Service in WW1, as follows: "I volunteered for the Army in 1914, but Head Office said we could not be released until sufficient women had been trained to replace us…. In September 1915 I volunteered at Ammanford, Carmarthenshire (being the nearest recruiting centre to Llandeilo where I was a Junior Clerk in the London and Provincial Bank). I was assigned to the 26th (Service) Battalion, Royal Fusiliers (Bankers) raised by Col. Pitt of the London and South Western Bank, and we were 80% Bank chaps. We went to France in May 1916, supposed to be tough infantry men, which I rather doubt. I transferred to the Tank Corps in France". The first photo shows Fusilier Powell as one of "The Boys of Tent No 7, High Beech, 1915". He is 2nd from right in back row, as you look at the photo. The second photo is the All Ranks photo, 26th (Service) Battalion, Royal Fusiliers (Bankers). Aldershot, 1915. Fusilier Powell is 2nd from the left in the fourth row of the photo. It was taken (presumably) before the Battalion embarked for France. The third photo is of the 1936 Reunion of the Banker’s Battalion. My father attended these Reunions in London – at least until the mid 1950’s (excluding years of World War 2). He was then Manager, Barclays Bank, West Wickham, Kent, a London suburb. These reunions were always preceded by a Church Service at the Royal Fusiliers Church in the City. The cost of the Reunions (always at the Connaught Rooms) were reportedly heavily subsidized, so my father said, by a Maj. Clutterbuck, a Board Director of Martin’s (or was it District?) Bank. My father is the nearest person at the nearest side of the 2nd table from the right (looking over left shoulder and in a lighter colored jacket - probably as befits a suburban Manager, compared with all the "City types"!). Graham Powell Add to this record. 260149 Gnr. Frederick Charles Arthurs MM, CdeG. F Battalion Machine Gun Corps (Heavy) Frederick Arthurs, was born in Petersfield , Hampshire in 1898. Soon after his birth, his mother died. Fred’s father, William Arthurs, was in the army, and Fred ended up in a children’s home in Caledonia Rd., London. When war broke out in 1914, Fred was sixteen and he ran away and joined up, pretending he was eighteen. Fred’s dad by chance found him in France and got him sent home. This was not before Fred had the chance to fight in a battle at Mons. Fred rejoined when he was eighteen and ended up in the Machine Gun Corps and subsequently as a gunner in the tank F41 Fray Bentos. Fred took part in the Third Battle of Ypres and together with the rest of his crew was stuck for three days in no-man’s-land from the 22nd to the 24th August 1917. Near Pond Farm, one crew member was killed and all the rest were wounded. Fred was ordered to open a door of the tank and wave a flag to signal to British lines that the tank was still in British hands. As he did this, a shell exploded beside the tank and Fred got shrapnel through the neck causing him to be knocked unconscious. After three days, Fred and the remaining crew made it back to British lines, but his family was told he was missing. When Fred got home, he walked down the road and his future wife was horrified when she saw him, thinking she was seeing a ghost. Fred may also have taken part in the Battle of Cambrai in November 1917 in F41 Fray Bentos 2. Fred never really worked properly again on returning from the war, as he had heart and lung problems caused by the fumes in the tank and maybe by poison gas. There is a story that he once lifted a car off of someone when it fell off a jack in the street and was squashing him. He also swapped some medals for a loaf of bread as he was so hard up. At one time, Fred was a casual mechanic for eccentric Irish Brooklands racing driver Kay Donne. Fred died in 1949 aged 51. Laurie Arthurs Add to this record. 259520 S/Sgt. John William Drew 2/8th (Cyclist) Btn. Essex Regiment John William Drew is my maternal grandfather. He was later in the Tank Corps. He was also an inspector almost at the outset of the automobile association. Olga Turner Add to this record. 258317 2Lt. John Edward "Joe" Church 20th Tank Battalion, B Company Royal Tank Corps Joe Church was the eldest son of Rev. Edward & Florence Church, and born 10 August 1899 at Burrough Green, Cambs. He trained at Hazeley Down and Bovington to September 1919, not going overseas. He then studied at Barts Hospital, and was a doctor with the Ruanda Mission (CMS). He married Dr Decima Tracey. They retired to Little Shelford, Cambs, and he died 29 September 1989. Judith Mary Church Add to this record. 257810 Sgt. William Patrick Brennan DCM. 1st Battalion Leinster Regiment Bill Brennan was awarded the DCM for his part at Gurabeh in Palestine in August 1918. He transferred to 2nd Battalion, Royal Tank Corp when the Leinster Regiment was disbanded. John Brennan Add to this record. 256388 Cpl. Arthur George Stokes C Coy. Machine Gun Corps Heavy Arthur Stokes drove his tank C15 at the Battle of Fleurs 1916, his tank commander was Lt Jethro Toll. Kenneth Stokes Add to this record. 253787 Pte Gilbert Snowdon C Coy. 18th Btn. Tank Corps Gilbert Snowdon's war records are hard to read, but I have extracted some information such as his date of enlistment, which was 22nd of August 1918. He was in C Company, 18th Battalion, Tank Corps. Gilbert was a metal carrier in Seaton Carew iron works before enlisting. He was 27 years old on enlistment, he had 5 children and his wife was called Hannah. Add to this record. 253658 Cpl. George Victor Wray Tank Corps George Wray is my grandfather. He was injured after his tank was hit and he was the only survivor and spent time in hospital. He died in 1974. Janice Smith Add to this record. 253415 Pte. Albert Fletcher Holt 3rd Battalion Manchester Regiment Albert Holt served initially in 3rd Battalion, Manchester Regiment as a Gunner and was already in the Army when war broke out. He subsequently transferred the 7th Battalion, Tank Corps serving as part of the 1st Tank Brigade. His unit was captured at Toulouse on 12th of April 1918 and he was taken to Gardelegen, one of the worst disease ridden camps. It was so bad that the Germans lived off site and left the prisoners to fend for themselves regarding sickness. His POW number there was 9700. When the war ended and the soldiers were repatriated, Albert was among those who passed through Braine le Chateau in Belgium, where they were entertained to a banquet hosted by the Countesses (the de Ursels of Hingene of Chateau le Yonhuys) and The Mayor and Inhabitants. Albert was an artist and painted a Centurion Tank on a hammered out Bully Beef can for The Countess Daisy, using her paints. In return, she gifted him those paints. The original carry case containing the spent paint tubes, is still in the possession of his descendants. Albert served as an ARP warden in the Second World War and he was also a Fire Watcher at The Bolton Methodist Mission. He worked as a painter and decorator and spent time in Liverpool camouflaging the ships. Albert died in his 86th year in 1971. Elaine Fletcher Cowen Add to this record. 253299 Pte. Benjamin Whale CdG. 9th Btn. Tank Corps (d.29th September 1918) Ben Whale was killed at the Battle of St Quentin Canal, along with 5 other tank crew. John French Add to this record. 250542 Pte Alfred James Tabor 9th (I) Battalion Tank Corps (d.23rd July 1918) Alfred Tabor was my grandfather. He and died of wounds received whilst driving Mk V male 9049 at Sauvillers, on 23rd of July 1918, during the subsidiary attack on Harpon Wood. Kev Smith Add to this record. 249899 L/Cpl Garfield Williams MM. H Company Machine Gun Corps (Heavy) My Grandfather, Garfield Williams won the Military Medal for actions on 3rd of October 1918, against the Beayrevoir Line wile serving with 8th Battalion, Tank Corps. Paul Williams Add to this record. 249197 Lt. John "Jock" Hall 9th (Glasgow) Battalion Highland Light Infantry John Hall enrolled in the 9th (Glasgow) Battalion, Highland Light Infantry, volunteer battalion, Territorial Force on 6th of April, 1908. John enrolled for service in WWI on 5th of August 1914. He was commissioned acting sergeant in the Highland Light Infantry on 9th November, 1915. He was commissioned temporary 2nd Lieutenant in the Motor machine Gun Service on 10th of November, 1916. He was later appointed temporary Lieutenant on 11th May, 1917. On 28 July, 2017, he was transferred to the newly formed tank corps. John relinquished is commission on account of ill health caused by wounds received in action during a tank battle. He lost hearing in one ear as part of his wounds. He retained the rank of Lieutenant when he was decommissioned from the Army on 18th of January, 1919. John received the following medals for his wartime services, 1914-15 Star: British War Medal, Victory Medal and the Silver War Badge for his services in WWI He received the Africa Service medal and the War Medal 1939/1945 for his services in WWII. Lindsay Hague Add to this record. 249138 2Lt. Lawrence Mark Garbutt 9th Btn. Norfolk Regiment (d.10th Aug 1918) Lawrence Mark enlisted on 10th of December 1915, in Army Reserve. His physical description was given as fresh complexion, brown hair, brown eyes, height 5ft 6½ins, girth when expanded 37 inches with a 3 inch range of expansion, with no distinctive marks. His religion was Church of England. He was mobilized on 17th of April 1916. He was with 24th Division on 30 August 1915 and 6th Division 11 October 1915 and tested on 17th April 1916, where he was sent to 7 (FT) Artillery Training School as a Driver on 19th April 1916. On 7th September 1917 he was transferred to No.12 Cadet Battalion, Newmarket for training as an Officer. He was discharged to Commission on 17th December 1917 as 2nd Lieutenant in the 3rd (Battalion) Essex Regiment. On 12 February 1918 Lawrence was passed as fit for his transfer to the Machine Gun Corps (Heavy Branch). Whilst attached to the 9th Norfolk Regiment he went to the Western Front with 71st Brigade. He was gassed and had just returned to his unit when he was wounded in action on 18th July 1918. History tells us that the British Command decided that as they had taken so many hits that day the order was given to withdraw and to leave all the dead and dying lying on the battlefield. The ANZACS were sent to move into position and Lawrence was picked up and taken to the 3rd Australian Casualty Clearing Station. He had been hit in the lower right lumbar and kidney region. Lawrence died there three days later, cause of death "of wounds received in action". Lawrence Mark was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. He is buried in Esquelbecq Cemetery in France. The newspaper report of Lawrence Mark's death states that he was 28 years of age, his death certificate and report from the Ministry of Defence confirms that he was wounded on 31st July 1918 and died on 10th August 1918. This is also reinforced by the War Diaries for the 9th Norfolk Regiment held at the National Archives, Kew, London. Vivienne Parker Add to this record. 246540 Capt. Noel Forbes Humphreys MC. 10th Btn. Tank Corps (d.27th March 1918) Noel Humphreys was born 1st December 1891 at Llangan Rectory, Bridgend, Glamorgan, the fourth son of the Rev. Henry James and Sydney Humphreys. In 1901 he was boarding at Saint Chads College, Denstone, Staffordshire, the census shows his parents and 4 siblings living in Hyde, Cheshire, the family then moved to Thornley, Vicarage, Tow Law, Co.Durham in 1903. He attended Durham Grammar School 1905-1909 and then to Armstrong College. The 1911 census shows he was living at the home of his married sister Mary and her husband Richard Howe in Sunnybrow, Willington, he was employed as a solicitors articled clerk. In August 1914 he enlisted with the Royal Engineers and served as a despatch rider. Two months later he received his commission and joined the Motor Machine Gun Services as temp 2nd Lieutenant, then promoted to Captain with 10th Battalion Tank Corps. He was mentioned in Despatches and on 8th June 1917 was awarded the Military Cross for "conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. "His tank becoming stranded, he commenced to dig it out, and though wounded, he completed his task and continued in action the whole day, finally bringing his tank out of action to the rallying point". He was severely wounded on Easter Monday 25th of March 1918 and died of his wounds on 27th of March 1918 aged 27 years, he is buried in Etaples Military Cemetery, France. He is remembered on the War Memorial, Tow Law, Durham, Memorial Plaque in St. Bartholomews Church, Thornley and The Memorial Cross, Thornley. In January 1918 The Times newspaper published a story of a Patriotic family "The Rev H.J. Humphreys, vicar of Thornley, Tow Law, Durham had five sons. Henry St. Giles Humphreys had been returning from America to enlist when he was killed on the Lousitania when it was torpedoed. John Theodore Gordon Humphreys had been to Sandhurst and was commissioned into the Indian Infantry and killed in action at Narumgombe. Captain Herbert Phillip Wynne Humphreys was an officer in the Royal Flying Corp and had been awarded a Military Cross. Owen (Aled Owain) Humphreys was serving with the Canadian Royal Flying Corps. Captain Noel Forbes Humphreys first served as a despatch rider, then in the Machine Gun Corps and had become a section commander of tanks in France." They omitted to mention the fact that his son in law Richard Howe (married to his daughter Mary Grace) was serving with the Durham Light Infantry. Welsh Rugby's forgotten War Hero. Noel Humphreys, the former fly-half, does not appear on the Welsh Rugby Union's Roll of Honour for war heroes, despite playing international rugby, because even though he was one of seven Welsh players on the first official British Lions tour to South Africa in 1910, he never represented Wales' national side. While still a teenager he became the youngest Welshman to play for the Lions on that tour after making his debut in a 17-0 win over Pretoria. He played for Tynedale RFC. The Rugby Fotball Union wants to honour every rugby player who lost his life during the WWI, irrespective of country, and on 15th September 2017 unveiled a memorial, designed by the former French Grand Slam captain Jean-Pierre Rives, just outside the village of Craonnelle on land next to the Basque Memorial in the heart of the Chemin des Dames Battlefields. It is hoped that the Memorial will become the place in the World where the game of Rugby will be remembered . A Rugby Players' Book of Remembrance has been opened and The World Rugby Memorial committee wants to ensure every player is honoured and remembered. Caroline Hunt Add to this record.

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