24 Hour Museum - official guide to UK museums, galleries, exhibitions and heritage
Gateway to Over 3,000 UK museums, galleries and heritage attractions
Skip to navigation
Bovington WWI Tank To Make Appearance At Lord Mayor's Show
By 24 Hour Museum Staff
01/11/2007
The Mark V tank in action at Bovington Tank Museum. © Bovington Tank Museum
The last fully operational First World War British tank is to be run for what could be the last time as it prepares for a special appearance at the Lord Mayor’s show in London.
The Mk V tank is being driven from its current position in the Tank Museum at Bovington onto a low loader so it can be transported to London, where it will be drawn before the crowds on Sunday November 10 2007.
Staff in period World War One uniforms from the museum will accompany the tank as it is drawn along to mark two important 90th anniversaries significant to armoured warfare.
“In November 1917 tanks appeared before the mass British public for the first time at the Lord Mayor’s Show,” explained museum spokesman Nik Wyness. “The first tank attack in history took place the previous September and their introduction to the war was shrouded in secrecy.”
“It was 90 years ago this month that parade spectators had the opportunity to see them for themselves, and they were fascinated by the two tanks that took part.”
Trundling at a speed of just 3 mph towards the German lines, the eight men inside these primitive steel machines would be shaken, roasted (the temperature inside rose above 150 Fahrenheit) and sick from petrol and carbon monoxide fumes before contact with the enemy was made. They would then engage the enemy with their two cannons and provide a shield for the following infantry.
Just after their appearance in London, tanks played a major role in the Battle of Cambrai, where they proved highly effective. The amount of ground gained on the first day was equal to that obtained during four months of slog during the Ypres offensive.
“This was the first major tank driven assault, which punched a hole through German defences… church bells were rung simultaneously throughout Great Britain for the first time since the war was declared,” added Nick. “Our appearance will be particularly poignant given the proximity to Remembrance Sunday.”
The Tank Museum
The Tank Museum, Bovington, BH20 6JG, Dorset, England
T: 01929 405096
Open: Daily 1000-1700
Closed: Limited opening at Christmas. Please see website for this and details of other closures.
Related Articles
News In Brief - Week Ending August 31 2008
MGM 2008 - From Fine China To Tank Rides - TopLots Kick Off
News In Brief - Week Ending February 17 2008
Remembrance Day 2007 - UK Museums Remember The Fallen
WWII Veteran Stamps Mark On History At Tank Museum, Bovington
DCMS Wolfson Fund Announces £4m For Museums And Galleries
News In Brief - Week Ending May 13 2007
E-news registration
E-mail story to a friend
Tell us what you think
National Portrait Gallery Acquires Tudor Double Portrait
Sheffield Metal Master Wins Museum's Inaugural Design Award
DCMS Launches Consultation Into The Future Of World Heritage Sites
A Selection Of Festive Fairs - Fun Days and Exhibitions
Royal Society Announces Plans For 350th Anniversary
Art Website ArtisanCam Wins Coveted Children's BAFTA
Former Floorboards Of Founding Father Franklin Facilitate Funny Four
Mark Leckey Wins The 2008 Turner Prize And Scoops £25,000
Library Thief Update: Sentencing Adjourned Until January 16, 2009
Fund Aims To Realise Long-Standing Campaign For Cardiff City Museum
Culture Secretary Slaps Export Ban On George I Chandelier
Shakespeare's Globe Costumes Go On Show In Nottingham
Britglyph Art Campaign Uses Web To Make Mass Geoglyph
Inaugural Awards Ceremony Honours UK Arts Philanthropists
Rare Silver Cup Commemorating Coronation Of Charles II Is Saved For The Nation
London Fire Brigade Museum Escapes Closure - For Now
Another Busy Year For Archaeology On Orkney In 2008
Severndroog Castle To Be Restored Thanks To Lottery Grant
Search this site
Home Page
News Page
Exhibition Page
What's On
Trails Page
Website of the Week
Letters Page
Welsh Home
Graphical Version
Copyright © 24 Hour Museum
Information published here was believed to be correct at the time it was prepared. Welsh language pages developed with CYMAL: Museums Archives and Libraries Wales, funded by the Welsh Assembly Government.