The very first battle involving tanks took place on the Somme when approximately 30 tanks attacked German positions between the villages of Flers and Courcelette on Friday 15 September 1916. This was one of the largest battles of World War I, with more than one million casualties. At dawn on 20 November 1917 the first successful tank battle was fought at Cambrai involving some 300 Mark IV tanks. The arrival of the tank signaled the end of trench warfare and established the tank as a dominant factor of battle right up until the present day.
The design of the Royal Tank Regiment grove reflects these events with a collection of Ash trees, a tree of significance to the Regiment, some of which have been propagated from trees from the battlefield at Cambrai whilst inside the circular seat is an oak tree from Flers. On the brick plinth is a model of a Mark IV, one of the earliest tanks. In the spring the Grove bursts into colour with hundreds of daffodils planted in the pattern of tank tracks. On the flagpole flies the Regimental flag of brown, red and green signifying ‘through mud and blood to green fields beyond’.*
*From the National Memorial Arboretum Guidebook Edition 4
Some interesting information there and an appropriate memorial.
I am glad it worked for you.
I have a small wooden model of that tank somewhere
It was home made by a friend of my father (I think, can’t remember exactly)
I’ll see if I can find it and take a photograph for you.
I would love to see that
I have a particular interest heavy armoured tanks as they developed over the years.
Hi Cherie, What a humbling memorial to visit. It looks like you took in the full educational and historical value while you were there.
The arboretum is a humbling place to visit. I went on the WW1 trail, but took in a few other memorials along the way.
This is interesting!
I am glad you found it interesting.