Bert Chaney - which unit?

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"The Battlefield Debut of the Tank, 1916," EyeWitness to History, www.eyewitnesstohistory.com (2005). provides an account of the first use of tanks at Flers. Bert Chaney was a 19 year signal officer in an Battalion HQ which was the subject of friendly fire by one of the supporting tanks.

Does anyone know which unit he served with?

[Stephen Nulty]

Delta

MIC Online shows only one Bert Chaney, serving with RE.

In addition, there are 3 entries for Albert Chaney; 1 in RAOC, 1 in Royal Fusiliers and finally another RE man.

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Good steer; will follow the Royal Fusilier link foward - many thanks

26th Bn Royal Fusiliers were fighting at Flers on that day as part of 41st iv; their CO said of tank D6, commanded by Lt RC Legge which was destroyed after it took on German artillery to the north-east of the village: “This tank was of the greatest material use and the party in charge of it distinguished themselves considerably"

At a guess, this was not the tank described by Chaney as it did not "stop for tea". Havign sdaid that D16 (Arnold) and D18 (Bond), in the northwest of the village had a chance "during a lull in the battle ...to cook breakfast"

[Stephen Nulty]

"during a lull in the battle ...to cook breakfast"

Fantastic !

Didn't they get ahead of themselves on the day and catch up with the creeping barrage?

[Stebie9173]

Bert does = Albert.

But also Herbert, Hubert, Egbert.

The 2nd RE man that Stephen mentions would probably be a Tunneller looking at his number (high 112000s), so probably not him, nor the RAOC man.

A Herbert Chaney in the Londons is also a possibility.

Steve.

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Stephen Nulty

According to Trevor Pidgeon's excellent work "the Tanks at Flers", three atnks were operating on the west of the village. D15 (Lt JL Bagshaw) was hit by German artillery fire as it crossed the German front line; as its crew abandoned the burning vehicle, two were killed and the remainder were wounded by enemy small arms fire. Meanwhile D16 "Dracula" (Lt AB Arnold) and D18 (Lt LC Bond) pressed onto the northwest edge of Flers using machine guns to chase the defenders away. During a lull, both crews were able to cook breakfast but this calm was interrupted when they were spotted by a German observation balloon, located to the north of Flers, who directed artillery fire upon them.

Later, (aroudnn noon?)Arnold and Bond lead an assault at the northwest of the village where there was a substantial German defensive position. They provided close fire support to infantry, causing significant casualties amongst the Germans who were unable to respond, and the position was over-run. The tanks then assisted in beating off the inevitable German counter attack, using their machine guns to destroy the German infantry as they advanced from the region of Factory Corner (to the North of Flers).

The two tanks then moved along the edge of the village, where Arnold and Pearsall (D11 – Die Hard who had been supporting the NZ Div to the west of the village,) helped Nixon’s crew put out the fire in his tank (D12) which resulted German artillery fire. As Dracula returned back towards Flers it again came under artillery fire; later the tank's commander, Lt Arnold stopped to rescue a wounded New Zealander. Arnold was wounded in the leg and, one of his crew, Gnr Jacob Glaister took charge of the tank and manoeuvred it so that Arnold could be rescued. Despite artillery fire, both tanks were able to get back to British lines; Arnold and Bond’s actions were rewarded with the MC. Glaister was awarded the DCM for his action and his medals have recently been obtained by the Tank Museum.

Stebie9173

The "London's man" could also be my man - any details?

[Stebie9173]

Here he is:

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documen...1&resultcount=4

Also MGC. Possible he could have transferred before the Somme? Would he have been a signaller as well as a M-Gunner? Not so likely, perhaps.

Other Herbert Chaneys:

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documen...=1&mediaarray=*

Robert Chaney:

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documen...1&resultcount=4

Steve.

[Stebie9173]

According to Peter Hart's, The Somme, it was one of the tanks with 122nd brigade of 41st Division (D-17) that first made it into Flers itself.

The two other tanks mentioned as with the Division - D-9 and D-14 - got their steering gear tangled after D-14 got stuck in a trench and D-9 tried to drag it out.

No mention of friendly fire, though. The fate of the other two tanks doesn't really match either.

D-16 and D-18 apparently entered Flers from the west in the afternoon after D-17 had lost a track and been effectively knocked out.

122nd Brigade had the 12th (Bermondsey) East Surreys in it. Robert Chaney was in the East Surreys.

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documen...1&resultcount=4

Seems like Robert Chaney won an MM and Bar, too:

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documen...1&resultcount=4

http://www.gazettes-online.co.uk/archiveVi...&selHonourType=

http://www.gazettes-online.co.uk/archiveVi...&selHonourType=

Hope this helps,

Steve.

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D17 was "Dinnaken" - Stuart Hastie's tank - this was the tank which was spotted by an RFC crew and which lead to the headline - "A tank is walking down the High Street of Flers with the British Army cheering behind". Hastie had broken through the German defences and wireto the south of the village; he did use his guns to enfilade the Germans in the trenches but ther is no mention in his shooting up British troops. Hastie managed to reach the Square in the village before turning again - he tried to reach the rally point but his driver (Pte CA Wescomb) could only coax the waggon back to a ridge (Rideau de Filoires) halfway between the village and Delville Wood before the engine failed.

D9 and 14 didn't get to the village, as you say, which takes them out of the equation; both were knocked out the next day as they supported the NZ attack towards Geudecourt.

However the trail is clear; Chaney was referring to a female tank so ... On On!