Snapper41 Posted 2 July , 2018 Share Posted 2 July , 2018 hi all I wonder if anyone can tell me what 'tambour' means? I am reading some WW1 diaries, and the word crops up frequently, so as this entry: Enemy sent 5 shells across which burst within 30yds of our tambour. Left tambour and moved into trenches; much safer than the tambour. I've heard of the tambour mines, but this isn't them - it seems to be some sort of shelter perhaps? Thanks in advance! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jrmh Posted 2 July , 2018 Share Posted 2 July , 2018 Possibly a crater such as those west of Fricourt (created by said mines)? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CROONAERT Posted 2 July , 2018 Share Posted 2 July , 2018 (edited) A tambour is a drum or drummer. The Tambour at Fricourt was so named because of the shape of the small French (then British) salient in the front line at this position (which, surprise, surprise, resembled a drum in profile) - in similar vein to locations such as 'Popes Nose', 'Caesar's Nose', etc. Other 'tambours' did exist including another in the German front line ('The German Tambour') immediately southeast of the French/British one. Dave (However, an 'abri tambour' ('drum shelter') is a cylindrical canvas tent/awning type thing so there might be a play on words) Edited 2 July , 2018 by CROONAERT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jrmh Posted 2 July , 2018 Share Posted 2 July , 2018 https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/tambour Also, a sloping buttress and a small closed entrance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snapper41 Posted 3 July , 2018 Author Share Posted 3 July , 2018 16 hours ago, CROONAERT said: A tambour is a drum or drummer. The Tambour at Fricourt was so named because of the shape of the small French (then British) salient in the front line at this position (which, surprise, surprise, resembled a drum in profile) - in similar vein to locations such as 'Popes Nose', 'Caesar's Nose', etc. Other 'tambours' did exist including another in the German front line ('The German Tambour') immediately southeast of the French/British one. Dave (However, an 'abri tambour' ('drum shelter') is a cylindrical canvas tent/awning type thing so there might be a play on words) I think your last line is right - it seems to be a shelter of some sort Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaureenE Posted 4 July , 2018 Share Posted 4 July , 2018 There is a definition on page 605 A Dictionary of Military Terms by Edward S Farrow. Revised edition 1918. Archive.org. In fortification, a small work, usually a timber stockade, about 6 feet high and loop-holed. Its object is to defend a gateway, the road into a village, or to afford flanking fire on a bridge etc https://archive.org/stream/adictionarymili00farrgoog#page/n628/mode/1up Cheers Maureen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heid the Ba Posted 4 July , 2018 Share Posted 4 July , 2018 A small tambour being a tambourine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snapper41 Posted 19 July , 2018 Author Share Posted 19 July , 2018 On 04/07/2018 at 09:05, Maureene said: There is a definition on page 605 A Dictionary of Military Terms by Edward S Farrow. Revised edition 1918. Archive.org. In fortification, a small work, usually a timber stockade, about 6 feet high and loop-holed. Its object is to defend a gateway, the road into a village, or to afford flanking fire on a bridge etc https://archive.org/stream/adictionarymili00farrgoog#page/n628/mode/1up Cheers Maureen I think you've cracked it! Many thanks Maureene Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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