Landships in their harbour 1916

[delta]

Most picture of tanks in 1916 show them either deploying to battle, knocked out or broken down.

This image, which is in a photo alum belonging to  2Lt R T Cooper of 16th Middlesex, shows two tanks of No 1 Sect C Coy Heavy Section MGC , probably at their base near Aveluy between 13-25 Sep,  One is C5 known as Crème de Menthe - the other may be C6 called Cordon Rouge. 

The image shows crewmen undertaking maintenance tasks at their advanced base  or tankodrome in Sep 1916.  The vehicles are partially covered with canvas cover, known as tank sheets, which actedas a simple camouflage as well as protection when being moved by rail. Unusually a tin hat is being worn - the crews were not initially issued with these but the tankodrome was subjected to artillery fire from time to time so they must have been acquired.  Also coveralls are being worn - useful when working in tanks as SD jackets had pockets and epaulettes which tended to become caught on machinery.  

The image is held by the National Army Museum - its reference is 1993-02-375-157

Edited 13 September , 2022 by delta
Inability to write clear concise English

[johntaylor]

Another great find Stephen - thanks for the photo and reference.

John