delta Posted 26 July , 2015 Share Posted 26 July , 2015 Whilst visiting the Tank Museum on Friday I found a picture of a Mark I tank which, thanks to the help of Dick Taylor and Gareth Davies, I was able to identify as 521 and a female , which had the name Canada. This is a new name to me and also an interesting number. Trevor Pidgeon's list of those Mark I which fought at Flers Courcelette does not include 521 although he does list her in mid October being commanded by 2Lt Mills. The picture at Rollencourt shows the tank number quite clearly although she was without sponsons According to Rob Martin's website, she was used by F Battalion in early July 1917 probably as a training tank. Has anyone else heard of this tank, and if so, can you shed any light on where she was in September 1916. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IPT Posted 26 July , 2015 Share Posted 26 July , 2015 Was it this picture from June 1917? Edit - Meant to say it's from the Canadian Archives - http://collectionscanada.gc.ca/pam_archives/index.php?fuseaction=genitem.displayItem〈=eng&rec_nbr=3395254&rec_nbr_list=3599876,3525210,3587209,3587207,3206661,3514928,3240579,3256380,3395254,1577838 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sidearm Posted 26 July , 2015 Share Posted 26 July , 2015 My database says: Moved from Loop to Acheux 23.10.16; Moved to Beausart 28.10.16 2/Lt MILLS; "HMLS Canada" C Bn Signal tank Rollencourt June 1917 no sponsons fitted, 22.7.17; Gwyn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tanks3 Posted 26 July , 2015 Share Posted 26 July , 2015 IPT What a fabulous picture Tanks3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
delta Posted 26 July , 2015 Author Share Posted 26 July , 2015 Yes - that's the picture (or one very similar); I had not realised how poorly the name had been painted on the glacis plate! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robins2 Posted 27 July , 2015 Share Posted 27 July , 2015 please see below listed link, I have copy of photo, it was associated to a Lt. R.P. Forester M.C., the photo accompanied several items from a collection I obtained including his web belt,holster, compass pouch , ribbon bar and revolver .455 new service colt and a signed copy of a photo of him with the U.S President as he was Canadian Military Liaison officer to U.S during second War http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=88086&page=3&hl=%2Bhmls+%2Bcanada#entry1816604 regards Bob R. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robins2 Posted 27 July , 2015 Share Posted 27 July , 2015 in comparing photo's the HMLS on your photo is quite different than on mine??? looks like it has been retouched??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IPT Posted 27 July , 2015 Share Posted 27 July , 2015 in comparing photo's the HMLS on your photo is quite different than on mine??? looks like it has been retouched??? The one you posted in the previous post looks to me like someone has touched up the writing, possibly because it didn't show up very well on a lower-res copy. On the (probably the original) photograph from the Canadian Archives, it looks like it has been written on in chalk or paint. On the above version, it also appears that the side of the tank is also covered in scribble, which isn't apparent on the other photo. Only the "521" on the front looks official, although beginning with a C would fit with Delta's old list - http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=69754 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sidearm Posted 27 July , 2015 Share Posted 27 July , 2015 I have had this debate about a touched up version of this photo on the Forum before. I recall being very dismissive as I'd only seen the touched up version. I'm much happier now I've seen the original. Gwyn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robins2 Posted 28 July , 2015 Share Posted 28 July , 2015 I have had this debate about a touched up version of this photo on the Forum before. I recall being very dismissive as I'd only seen the touched up version. I'm much happier now I've seen the original. Gwyn http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=88086&page=3&hl=%2Bhmls+%2Bcanada#entry1816604 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sidearm Posted 28 July , 2015 Share Posted 28 July , 2015 http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=88086&page=3&hl=%2Bhmls+%2Bcanada#entry1816604 I wasn't too dismissive then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robins2 Posted 29 July , 2015 Share Posted 29 July , 2015 I wasn't too dismissive then. no not really, which raises the question, which photo was retouched??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sidearm Posted 30 July , 2015 Share Posted 30 July , 2015 I think the one on the old post has been photoshopped, with the chalked, rough, thick name "HMLS Canada" on the glacis blanked out and then written in again. No idea why. Gwyn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robins2 Posted 30 July , 2015 Share Posted 30 July , 2015 you are probably correct, the photo I have is mounted in frame with backing etc. so would hate to remove same to look at back of photo (may be a post card???), maybe some day when curiosity gets the better of me regards Bob R. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghchurcher Posted 2 August , 2015 Share Posted 2 August , 2015 (edited) Stephen there was a tank "Canada" in action on 31st July 1917 in which my chap Myleham won his DCM the citation for which refers specifically to his tank "Canada". Landships website has that tank down as "C1 Canada" and number "2085?". Is this a later Canada, timings seem close, both references in July 1917. Edited 2 August , 2015 by Geoffrey Churcher Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sidearm Posted 2 August , 2015 Share Posted 2 August , 2015 Yes, it's a later 'Canada'. The serial 2085 reveals it to be a Mark IV Male. I'd be interested to know what the citation has to say about it though. Gwyn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghchurcher Posted 2 August , 2015 Share Posted 2 August , 2015 Distinguished Conduct Medal - London Gazette 25/01/1918 ("C" Battalion, 3rd Battle of Ypres 1917). "Served in Tank "Canada" for conspicious gallantry and devotion to duty. During the Battle of Ypres, on July 31st 1917, this NCO drove his tank for thirteen hours, and twice unditched it under heavy fire. When the tank was eventually put out of action he went to the assistance of the infantry with a lewis gun and helped them to repel a counted attack. He remained with the infantry until wounded." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
delta Posted 2 August , 2015 Author Share Posted 2 August , 2015 Interesting - the TCBH does not mention the tank.s name Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghchurcher Posted 2 August , 2015 Share Posted 2 August , 2015 (edited) Which version have you got ? Here is a letter from the OIC 2Lt WF Breen referring to the second Canada. All we need is a similar letter from Arnold in relation to C14 at Flers.... Edited 2 August , 2015 by Geoffrey Churcher Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sidearm Posted 3 August , 2015 Share Posted 3 August , 2015 Excellent. Thank you very much Geoffrey. Gwyn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robins2 Posted 4 August , 2015 Share Posted 4 August , 2015 was the crew all British or were there some Canadians in the mix ?? thanks Bob R. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
delta Posted 6 August , 2015 Author Share Posted 6 August , 2015 There was one Canadian who fought in C Company s strength in 1916 but he was serving in the British Army not the Canadian Expeditionary Force. Whether there were any who later fought in HMLS Canada, I cannot say Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robins2 Posted 6 August , 2015 Share Posted 6 August , 2015 thanks, I refer to http://1914-1918.inv...da#entry1816604 post 72 where it was stated that the Canadian Tank Corps did not see action, just wondering to what extent the Canadian Tank Corps participated regards Bob R. There was one Canadian who fought in C Company s strength in 1916 but he was serving in the British Army not the Canadian Expeditionary Force. Whether there were any who later fought in HMLS Canada, I cannot say Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghchurcher Posted 6 August , 2015 Share Posted 6 August , 2015 That's right the Canadian Tank Corps did not see any action. They made it to UK, and so earned the BWM as they were overseas from Canada, but not the Victory Medal as they were not in a war zone. The war ended before they could be deployed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robins2 Posted 7 August , 2015 Share Posted 7 August , 2015 That's right the Canadian Tank Corps did not see any action. They made it to UK, and so earned the BWM as they were overseas from Canada, but not the Victory Medal as they were not in a war zone. The war ended before they could be deployed. thanks for that Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now