United Kingdom (1917-1918)
Durham Tank Week, 141 Egbert
On 3 April 1918 the fundraising WW1 tank 141 Egbert arrived in Durham On 3 April 1918 the fundraising WW1 tank 141 Egbert visited Durham Durham Tank Week 141 Egbert advert
Tank Week
The British Government needed to raise money to pay for the war effort. The tank was a new technology, and most of the population had not seen one. The War Savings Committee decided that six Mk.IV tanks would tour the country starting in December 1917 and throughout 1918 acting as ‘Tank Banks’ during celebrations known as ‘Tank Week.’ Companies and members of the public would be able to buy National War Bonds and War Savings Certificates from the cashier inside the door of the tank sponson. There were 20 shillings to the British Pound. For every 15s 6d (15 shillings and 6 pence: the minimum investment) invested in a War Savings Certificate, after five years, the government would pay back 20 shillings, an increase of 4s 6d (4 shillings and 6 pence). That is a 22.5% return. This was an attractive rate of return so many people and pension companies like the Provincial invested a lot of capital into War Savings Certificates and War Bonds (minimum investment £5). The War Bonds were sold to private investors in 1917 with the advertisement: “If you cannot fight, you can help your country by investing all you can in 5 per cent Exchequer Bonds … Unlike the soldier, the investor runs no risk.”
The six Mk.IV tanks were 113 Julian 4005, 119 Ole Bill, 130 Nelson, 137 Drake, 138 Iron Ration 4034, 141 Egbert and 142 also sometimes called Egbert although it never bore that name. Tank 141 Egbert was the only tank that had actually seen service in France. Other tanks were used. The top 256 fundraising towns and cities were offered a WW1 presentation tank as a thank you. Tanks Encyclopedia writer and researcher Craig Moore has researched and collected photographs of the Tank Week tank visits. If you find more photographs that are not in this collection, please send them to [email protected]
United Kingdom (1917-1918)
Dundee, Scotland Tank Week, 113 Julian
In February 1918, the Mk.IV male tank 113 Julian visited Dundee for a week to raise money for the war effort. It stopped in Albert Square. Dundee Scotland Tank Week 113 Julian in Albert Square
Dundee Scotland Tank Week 113 Julian crossing the High Street
Tank Week
The British Government needed to raise money to pay for the war effort. The tank was a new technology, and most of the population had not seen one. The War Savings Committee decided that six Mk.IV tanks would tour the country starting in December 1917 and throughout 1918 acting as ‘Tank Banks’ during celebrations known as ‘Tank Week.’ Companies and members of the public would be able to buy National War Bonds and War Savings Certificates from the cashier inside the door of the tank sponson. There were 20 shillings to the British Pound. For every 15s 6d (15 shillings and 6 pence: the minimum investment) invested in a War Savings Certificate, after five years, the government would pay back 20 shillings, an increase of 4s 6d (4 shillings and 6 pence). That is a 22.5% return. This was an attractive rate of return so many people and pension companies like the Provincial invested a lot of capital into War Savings Certificates and War Bonds (minimum investment £5). The War Bonds were sold to private investors in 1917 with the advertisement: “If you cannot fight, you can help your country by investing all you can in 5 per cent Exchequer Bonds … Unlike the soldier, the investor runs no risk.”
The six Mk.IV tanks were 113 Julian 4005, 119 Ole Bill, 130 Nelson, 137 Drake, 138 Iron Ration 4034, 141 Egbert and 142 also sometimes called Egbert although it never bore that name. Tank 141 Egbert was the only tank that had actually seen service in France. Other tanks were used. The top 256 fundraising towns and cities were offered a WW1 presentation tank as a thank you. Tanks Encyclopedia writer and researcher Craig Moore has researched and collected photographs of the Tank Week tank visits. If you find more photographs that are not in this collection, please send them to [email protected]
United Kingdom (1917-1918)
Dudley Tank Week, 113 Julian
Mk IV Male tank 133 Julian in Dudley
They were the Great War gatherings to raise funds for the new wonder weapon, the tank – and they raised fortunes. Historians Lee Dent and Richard Pursehouse, of Staffordshire World War One group The Chase Project, have already reported on Wolverhampton and Walsall Tank Weeks. Now, it’s the turn of Dudley and Brierley Hall – a mass gathering blighted by mishaps, but which still raised £1.2 million.
Sergeant GW Harrington had a good – and painful – reason to remember the Black Country Tank Week. During the Saturday finale, his hand became trapped in the “land ironclad” as he tried to start the metal monster. His right thumb was torn off, but he refused hospital treatment until Tank Julian had left. For his bravery and devotion to duty, Sgt Harrington was presented with £14 – the result of a whip-round among the gathered crowd. It wasn’t the only unscripted incident. Julian broke down on “his” way to the event (Julian was a male tank, with six-pounder naval guns in its side turrets, while female tanks contained two machine guns in their turrets) due to over-heating and was stranded for half-an-hour.
Despite the hiccups, there’s no doubt that Dudley and Brierley Hill Tank Week was a staggering success. It raised enough money to build 240 of the Western Front leviathans. Julian arrived at Stourbridge railway station on the morning of Sunday, April 7, 1918, and began the slow journey to Market Place, Dudley, where a large crowd had already gathered. But outside the Whymsey Arms, Brierley Hill, Julian came to a crashing halt due to the “overheating” of cylinders. Suitably refreshed, the tank sparked back into life after half-an-hour, but progress was short-lived, One of its caterpillar tracks broke on Church Hill. In lashing rain, Julian finally arrived at Dudley’s boundary at 5.50pm. It was three hours behind schedule – and there were more problems before the tank reached Market Place. At 7.30pm, the crew found their way blocked by a barrier of sandbags and barbed wire. It’s unclear if the barricade had been erected to deliberately impede Julian’s progress or was a prop to display the tank’s power.
The local press reported: “The fearsome, unstoppable metal behemoth ridiculed the temporary obstacle and hardly hesitated in his advance, landing safely on the other side.” The impressive stunt was a surefire way of wringing cash from the impressed public. Julian was joined in his fundraising campaign by a full-sized model tank and a captured German aeroplane. The model arrived at Brierley Hill on the back of a railway lorry and was placed into position on council land adjoining the Technical Institute. It remained there from Monday until Wednesday. Investors had their war bonds and certificates stamped “Tank Bank” inside the Technical Institute. The captured aeroplane was put in Tipton Park. A flight of five or six aeroplanes was planned to fly over Tipton Park on the Sunday shortly after 5pm, weather permitting.
Julian’s presence in Dudley was also a focal point for the recruitment of volunteers, as well as raising funds. Such was the excitement that resident Mr JT Bill had written a song to commemorate Julian’s arrival in Dudley. The Dudley Tank Bank words were sung to wartime classic Keep The Home Fires Burning. Covered in tartan ribbons from his successful Scottish tour, where the tank had raised more than £40 million – a staggering £4 billion in today’s terms – Julian was used to being the centre of attention. But on this occasion, the tank would share the limelight with a VIP – his Commander Lieutenant Wilf E Davies, who was from nearby Holly Hall.
Julian 113 tank week film
Event organiser William Welby and Lieutenant Davies were congratulated by the Mayor on the tank’s safe arrival. The Mayor then asked those present to invest more than £1 million. The crowd erupted and a shout of “We are there!” filled the cold night air. The proceedings closed with the singing of the National Anthem led by Councillor Tanfield. On Monday, at 12.30pm, the Mayor, Deputy Mayor, MP Sir Arthur Boscawen and co-organiser Mr AM Fairbairn mounted the tank and opened proceedings with a series of speeches.
Julian 113 tank crew
Sir Arthur told the crowd that the British soldier “never knew when he was beaten” but needed the support of those at home. Speeches over, Mr Ernest Davies, accompanied by Miss Nellie Ruston, sang Land Of Hope And Glory from on top of the tank. At 4.30pm, the first day’s takings of £105,578 was announced. The contributors included £20,000 from Grainger and Smith woollen merchants – nearly £2 million today – £10,000 from Pearl Insurance Company and £1,000 from the National Brassworkers of Dudley. Tables set up inside a marquee by the Postmaster Mr H Sheddon and his team of 20 clerks received £107,713 worth of investment on Tuesday and on Wednesday, another £61,346. Thursday was Children’s Day, which was overseen by Mr Edward Frost. Over 8,000 children passed by the tank to the accompaniment of The Dudley Grammar School Band. They deposited over £9,300 – over £900,000 today – much to the delight of the schools committees. Thursday’s total topped £110,275 and, when combined with Friday’s total of £146,108 (which included an investment of £32,000 from Alderman Bean), the total for just five days came to £531,020.
Julian 113 tank week film
The pressure was on for Saturday. Would the £1 million target be reached? On the morning, the crowds at Dudley and Brierley Hill were the largest to date, thousands waiting patiently to “do their bit”. Corporate donations such as £50,000 from The Prudential Assurance Company swelled the figure, but as the day progressed it became clear the undeclared takings from outlying areas such as Tipton, Kingswinford and Amblecote were crucial. At the close of business on Saturday, the Tank Committee was unable to say if the target had been reached. It was not until Monday that it was announced the £1 million target had not only been reached, but exceeded by £109. The following week, the final figure for Dudley and Brierley Hill Tank Bank was declared. It was almost £1,200,000, enough to pay for 240 “land ironclads”. The Dudley Tank Bank advert
The Dudley Tank Bank Song, By J.T. Bill
Tune: “Keep the Home Fires Burning”
When the cry goes forth in Dudley
That the Tank is here at last:
When the bugle sounds for action,
And the waiting time is past,
We must everyone remember
That we have a part to play,
While our gallant lads in khaki
Fight our battles far away.
Chorus:
Steady, boys, then, steady,
Get your savings ready –
Line up at the Tank and bring the £ s d.
Show you’re interested,
Every pound invested
Helps to cheer our fighting men on to
Victory!
While our country now is calling
We can each one do our share;
Let us, then, be patriotic
And the nation’s burden bear.
We shall conquer if united,
We resolve to do our best;
To the Tank then, buy your War Bonds,
And your savings thus invest.
Tank Week
The British Government needed to raise money to pay for the war effort. The tank was a new technology, and most of the population had not seen one. The War Savings Committee decided that six Mk.IV tanks would tour the country starting in December 1917 and throughout 1918 acting as ‘Tank Banks’ during celebrations known as ‘Tank Week.’ Companies and members of the public would be able to buy National War Bonds and War Savings Certificates from the cashier inside the door of the tank sponson. There were 20 shillings to the British Pound. For every 15s 6d (15 shillings and 6 pence: the minimum investment) invested in a War Savings Certificate, after five years, the government would pay back 20 shillings, an increase of 4s 6d (4 shillings and 6 pence). That is a 22.5% return. This was an attractive rate of return so many people and pension companies like the Provincial invested a lot of capital into War Savings Certificates and War Bonds (minimum investment £5). The War Bonds were sold to private investors in 1917 with the advertisement: “If you cannot fight, you can help your country by investing all you can in 5 per cent Exchequer Bonds … Unlike the soldier, the investor runs no risk.”
The six Mk.IV tanks were 113 Julian 4005, 119 Ole Bill, 130 Nelson, 137 Drake, 138 Iron Ration 4034, 141 Egbert and 142 also sometimes called Egbert although it never bore that name. Tank 141 Egbert was the only tank that had actually seen service in France. Other tanks were used. The top 256 fundraising towns and cities were offered a WW1 presentation tank as a thank you. Tanks Encyclopedia writer and researcher Craig Moore has researched and collected photographs of the Tank Week tank visits. If you find more photographs that are not in this collection, please send them to [email protected]
United Kingdom (1917-1918)
Denny, Scotland Tank Week, 113 Julian
On 15 October 1918, the National Savings drive was supported by the visit of an Mk.IV male tank 113 Julian to Denny in Scotland.
Denny Scotland Tank Week visit of 113 Julian
Tank Week
The British Government needed to raise money to pay for the war effort. The tank was a new technology, and most of the population had not seen one. The War Savings Committee decided that six Mk.IV tanks would tour the country starting in December 1917 and throughout 1918 acting as ‘Tank Banks’ during celebrations known as ‘Tank Week.’ Companies and members of the public would be able to buy National War Bonds and War Savings Certificates from the cashier inside the door of the tank sponson. There were 20 shillings to the British Pound. For every 15s 6d (15 shillings and 6 pence: the minimum investment) invested in a War Savings Certificate, after five years, the government would pay back 20 shillings, an increase of 4s 6d (4 shillings and 6 pence). That is a 22.5% return. This was an attractive rate of return so many people and pension companies like the Provincial invested a lot of capital into War Savings Certificates and War Bonds (minimum investment £5). The War Bonds were sold to private investors in 1917 with the advertisement: “If you cannot fight, you can help your country by investing all you can in 5 per cent Exchequer Bonds … Unlike the soldier, the investor runs no risk.”
The six Mk.IV tanks were 113 Julian 4005, 119 Ole Bill, 130 Nelson, 137 Drake, 138 Iron Ration 4034, 141 Egbert and 142 also sometimes called Egbert although it never bore that name. Tank 141 Egbert was the only tank that had actually seen service in France. Other tanks were used. The top 256 fundraising towns and cities were offered a WW1 presentation tank as a thank you. Tanks Encyclopedia writer and researcher Craig Moore has researched and collected photographs of the Tank Week tank visits. If you find more photographs that are not in this collection, please send them to [email protected]
United Kingdom (1917-1918)
Derby Tank Week, 119 Ole Bill
Derby Tank Week 119 Ole Bill
Tank Weeks had, towards the end of January 1918, seen many of the major towns and cities visited by one of the four touring tanks. However, smaller towns and cities clamoured to be included, although cleverly the emphasis changed from the large amounts invested in places such as Glasgow, Birmingham and Manchester during their Tank Weeks – these smaller towns could not hope to raise similar figures – but were encouraged to compete on a ‘per capita’ basis. Indeed, it could be argued that although the initial reason for the touring tanks was still being fulfilled – that of fundraising – there had been an explosion of patriotic fervour and the National War Savings Committee seized upon this; by late 1917 the Committee had been steeling itself to gradually dwindling investments in War Bonds and War Saving Certificates (paid for by instalments similar to TV licence stamps), and was conscious that the population was becoming ‘war weary’ and that many talked of a negotiated peace, rather than outright victory.
Derby Tank Week 119 Ole Bill Tank Bank
What had started out as an ad hoc selection of towns and cities for Tank Weeks rapidly expanded as more and more towns wrote to the War Office requesting a visit from a Tank. It was realised that at these secondary locations, there was more emphasis on rallying the inhabitants to see the struggle through to the end, as well as encouraging those working directly for the war effort – munitions factory workers and coalminers for example. The amounts invested were of course still important, which might explain why at one point repeat visits to Manchester and Liverpool in late February 1918 were considered, and that London, seemingly embarrassed by the lack of sales compared to the likes of Glasgow, clamoured for a second, more organised, visit of the tanks. The authorities would have known by the spring of 1918 that the Germans were preparing to launch their first major offensives since 1914 and therefore the message ‘munitions, men and money’ was repeatedly emphasised by speakers standing on top of the tanks throughout early 1918.
Derby prepared for its visit by a tank, starting on Monday January 28th 1918. The tank had been in Nottingham the week before, where £2,635,000 had been raised. The Derby Daily Telegraph in the week the tank was in Nottingham carried several adverts focussing on the impending arrival at Derby, which occurred at 14.30 hours on the Sunday afternoon at St Mary’s Goods Station on Mansfield Road. It was planned that the Tank would make its way to the Market Place in Derby town centre, in a procession including the Mayor, Mr EJ Hulse, who had made it clear the Tank was visiting Derby and Derbyshire, and that he hoped the county would get behind the effort. Tank 119, named ‘Ole Bill’, would remain opposite the Town Hall all week, where there would be a civic reception.
Derby Tank Week 119 Ole Bill Tank Bank
Whether the name ‘Ole Bill’ was a slightly derogatory reference to the German Emperor Kaiser Wilhelm, or was the character from the Bruce Bairnsfather play ‘A Better ‘Ole’ is unclear. Documents at the National Archives only refer to tank numbers, not names. A military guard of 100 men of the Royal Garrison Artillery worked in shifts, commanded by Major Chapman from the local depot. A barrier was constructed around the Tank, and a temporary band-stand was built, from which the band of the Sherwood Foresters entertained the queue waiting to have their booklets and certificates stamped ‘Tank Week’. Prize draws took place each day, and War Bonds totalling £1,000 were given away over the week, which were provided by Mr Gilbert Crompton, the High Sheriff of Derbyshire.
The Derbyshire Daily Telegraph stated that, as with other towns and cities, each day after the opening ceremony would focus on a specific section of society. Thus Tuesday was to be ‘Schools’ Day’, Wednesday ‘Ladies’ Day’, Thursday ‘Trade Day’, Friday ‘Farmers’ Day’, and Saturday Labour Day.
The arrangements at Derby were organised by Mr JWM Mactavish, the representative of the National War Savings Committee. The newspaper also gave a list of companies that had already promised large amounts – for example Midland Railway Company £100,000; Stanton Ironworks £50,000; Eagle and British Insurance £20,000; Wyles Brothers Ltd (boot and shoe manufacturers) £12,000; Derby Glass Company £10,000; Pearl Assurance £5,000. One advert for War Bonds in the newspaper showed a soldier standing defiantly with the rhomboid shape of a tank used as a shield, the less than subtle inference being that the tank would protect the soldier as the soldier was protecting those at home. It also stated a tank costs ‘about £5,000’ so larger investors and companies could calculate how many tanks could be produced for their investment.
The opening ceremony on Monday 28th January was held in the Market Place, which was decorated with bunting. The Mayor Mr Hulse, along with the Vice-Lieutenant of the County, Mr FC Arkwright, performed the opening ceremony, supported by the Mayors of Chesterfield and Ilkeston. The Mayoress of Derby and her husband repeated the Prime Minister’s recent statement that the country ‘must go on, or go under.’ The Mayor wanted to beat Nottingham, although he had earlier hoped that a target of £1,500,000 might be reached. Of specific interest was the desire by the local War Savings Committee to ensure that EVERY child of the county would have a 15/6d War Savings Certificate, and that Derbyshire would be the first county to achieve this. The figure declared for the first day was £413,000 which compared favourably with opening days in the previous week at Sunderland (£420,000), Leith (£609,565) and Nottingham (£434,000); the totals given also mentioned that Glasgow had invested a staggering £14,503,714 during its recent Tank Week.
Tuesday was the first themed day and twelve thousand children marched in procession to the Tank. The Editorial section in the Derbyshire Daily Telegraph focussed on why people should invest in War Bonds or War Saving Certificates and scotched the belief that people ‘could get a better return elsewhere’ and reminded the reader they were lending the money, not giving it, and to invest elsewhere damaged the Government and that ‘At the back of every private enterprise in the country stands the wonderful system of credit of the British Government’. The Mayor of Nottingham made a speech from on top of the Tank, encouraging the people from the neighbouring towns to help Derby do as well or better than Nottingham.
The Duke of Devonshire, who was also the Lord Lieutenant of Derbyshire, sent a message from Canada where he was Governor-General, which was published in the Derby Advertiser, ‘Hope Tank Week will be most successful’. The same newspaper commented that the ‘British Tank moved steadily and surely, and that represented the British Character.’ Tuesday (Schools’ Day) saw £120,946 taken. Wednesday was Ladies’ Day, which saw several speakers, including Miss Brackenburn from the London offices of the National War Savings Committee. There are several instances of friendly rivalry between towns, Derby ‘competed’ with South Shields, which was having its Tank Week at the same time and in the Derby Mercury dated 1st February, Middlesbrough (soon to have its own Tank Week) challenged ‘Citizens of Derby – By beating your friend Middlesbrough, you beat your Enemy – The Germans!’ Aberdeen and Blackburn were also having Tank Weeks at the same time as Derby and South Shields, and the daily progress of all four towns was recorded on a barometer fixed to Derby Town Hall. The amount invested in Derby on Wednesday was £89,146.
On Traders’ Day (Thursday), Mr Mactavish of the National War Savings Committee organised an aeroplane squadron to fly over the town just after lunchtime. The aeroplanes dropped small cards printed with the message: ‘Dropped from the sky by British Aeroplanes. Put all your money in the Derby Tank, Market-place, Derby (open daily 10 to 8) and so do your bit for your country. Last day, Saturday, Feb 2nd 1918.’ The marquee erected close to the Tank did brisk business on Traders’ Day. The Mayor announced that Derby Corporation had invested £4,000 in War Saving Certificates. He was joined on top of the Tank by several business leaders and the Mayoress of Glossop, who invested £5,000 of her own money (enough to buy a tank outright). Mr Hobson, the President of the Chamber of Trade, reminded the crowd that although the country had once been described ‘as a nation of shopkeepers, our enemies were learning about what the country could do’ and Mr Aiton, the President of the Chamber of Commerce, revealed that a week ago he had stood in the ruins of Ypres. Several local firms came forward to invest. Messrs Burrows and Sturgess Ltd, mineral water manufacturers of Derby, gave all employees War Saving Certificates varying in value according to their length of service (a Mr WH Roberts had been there for 51 years and received 51 certificates). In total £154,147 was taken on the Thursday.
Although Friday was declared Farmers’ Day, several firms came forward to make investments – British Cellulose Company £25,000; Derbyshire Building Society £15,000 and Chesterfield Investments £50,000, raising the amount invested on the day to £204,976 or £982,215 for the week with a day to go. In keeping with the carnival atmosphere surrounding the tank, the Mayoress and a Mr Fred Terry auctioned several items, including a shell case apparently fired from this particular tank, although it was not made clear whether in anger or training. The shell case was re-auctioned several times, raising £9 3s. Two buttons from the tunic of Lieutenant Davies, the Tank Commander, were auctioned and realised £1 each.
Despite Saturday being the first rainy day of the week, the enthusiasm of the crowd for Labour Day was not diminished, with large investments by Derby Miners’ Association of £50,000; Butterley Colliery Company £50,000; Bakewell Investments £11,000; and Scottish Amicable £10,000. Due to the response at the previous day’s auction, a display of Tank models mounted on top of motor cars which had been touring the country was sold to the highest bidders. The Derby Daily Telegraph reported on the following Monday a final figure of £1,284,514 18s 6d, with an additional £30,000 anticipated from other towns. This compared favourably with Derby’s ‘rival town’ South Shields at £1,239,480 whose figure also included Jarrow (£16,000) and Tynemouth (£557,000). Aberdeen had invested £2,501,000. Earlier in January, Leicester Tank Week had raised £2,061,228 and Birmingham a massive £6,585,439 (enough to pay for one day of the war) and The Potteries £1,156,119.
With the Tank Week having come to an end at Derby, Tank 119 Ole Bill was escorted back to St Mary’s Goods Station by the band that had played throughout the week, and entrained for Wolverhampton. To satisfy the disappointment of not securing a visit from a Tank, Belper was to have two captured German guns to help in its sales of War Bonds. The barrier around the Tank was not taken down, but Ole Bill ‘crawled over it, and it gave way with a crunching snap, without causing him the least inconvenience or delay.’
The Mayor gave a final speech thanking everyone for their efforts and that Derbyshire had ‘achieved a gratifying result in the crusade for finding “silver bullets” to carry the war to a triumphant conclusion’. The Derby Daily Telegraph stated that as well as at Wolverhampton, there would be Tank Banks at Dundee, West Hartlepool and Bolton, and that at Dundee aeroplanes would fly to neighbouring towns to bring back collections. The newspaper also commented that there were plans for a second Tank Week in London, with one tank at Trafalgar Square and another at the Royal Exchange and that tanks would tour the various metropolitan boroughs.
It could be argued that Prime Minister Lloyd George’s claim that the tank was a ‘war winner’ is somewhat exaggerated; the tank was certainly a major contributor to the financial ability of Britain to continue fighting. More importantly, the support for Tank Banks showed soldiers that the ‘Home Front’ recognised that War Bonds would help get them back home quickly. There is a misconception that civilians did not fully understand what was happening in the mud and blood of Flanders and France; to a certain extent this is correct, however the civilians realised that War Bonds would buy tanks. Tanks would overcome the German defences and barbed wire. The war would be won. Their husbands, brothers, sisters, sons and daughters could come home. The logic was obvious to the citizens of Derbyshire, who unanimously united in their support.
British newspapers were sent to troops in France, Belgium and Italy and their contents devoured avidly within days of being printed. Versions of the national daily newspapers were available in neutral Holland; Germany could also read about the amounts being raised at these Tank Weeks. The daily reports on the six (eventually seven) touring tank banks greatly encouraged the weary troops fighting abroad, as can be seen by the letters printed in local newspapers in the weeks following Derby Tank Week. This mutually reciprocal encouragement resulted in over £135 million being collected in War Loans between November 1917 and June 1918. The concept spread to our Dominion allies Canada, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand, all of which held their own Tank Weeks. The tank ‘Britannia’ successfully toured America encouraging over $2 billion in subscriptions to Liberty Bonds.
Derby Tank week raised enough to pay for 257 Tanks. The exhortations to ‘bank, bank, bank at the tank, tank, tank’ had worked.
In recognition of Derby’s crucial fundraising, a ‘presentation tank’ was received at Normanton recreation ground (now Normanton Park). As Derby had raised over £1 million, the War Savings Committee had sent a ‘male’ tank (with a canon and machine gun in the two side turrets known as sponsons; a ‘female’ tank had smaller sponsons with two machine guns in each). It was eventually cut up for scrap. (Source Derbyshire Life)
Tank Week
The British Government needed to raise money to pay for the war effort. The tank was a new technology, and most of the population had not seen one. The War Savings Committee decided that six Mk.IV tanks would tour the country starting in December 1917 and throughout 1918 acting as ‘Tank Banks’ during celebrations known as ‘Tank Week.’ Companies and members of the public would be able to buy National War Bonds and War Savings Certificates from the cashier inside the door of the tank sponson. There were 20 shillings to the British Pound. For every 15s 6d (15 shillings and 6 pence: the minimum investment) invested in a War Savings Certificate, after five years, the government would pay back 20 shillings, an increase of 4s 6d (4 shillings and 6 pence). That is a 22.5% return. This was an attractive rate of return so many people and pension companies like the Provincial invested a lot of capital into War Savings Certificates and War Bonds (minimum investment £5). The War Bonds were sold to private investors in 1917 with the advertisement: “If you cannot fight, you can help your country by investing all you can in 5 per cent Exchequer Bonds … Unlike the soldier, the investor runs no risk.”
The six Mk.IV tanks were 113 Julian 4005, 119 Ole Bill, 130 Nelson, 137 Drake, 138 Iron Ration 4034, 141 Egbert and 142 also sometimes called Egbert although it never bore that name. Tank 142 Egbert was the only tank that had actually seen service in France. Other tanks were used. The top 256 fundraising towns and cities were offered a WW1 presentation tank as a thank you. Tanks Encyclopedia writer and researcher Craig Moore has researched and collected photographs of the Tank Week tank visits. If you find more photographs that are not in this collection, please send them to [email protected]
United Kingdom (1917-1918)
Darlington Tank Week, 141 Egbert
Darlington market place
He raised so much money that five more Egberts were acquired from the battlefield and sent out around the country. Egbert arrived at Darlington’s North Road station, from Halifax, on Monday, March 25, and was welcomed by “thousands upon thousands” of people. A huge procession marched with him into the Market Place where he performed his tricks.
“There was an expectant hush as Egbert set his nose at the obstacle and this was broken by a cheer as the tank reared itself up and then surmounted the pile and descended the other side,” said the Echo. A special savings bank was opened beside him and people brought every spare penny to buy War Bonds from the tank bank. To encourage deposits, there were competitions and spot prizes. “The smallest girl at Bondgate School, Winnie Penman, who has four brothers serving at the front, was given £5 by her father to invest in a War Bond, and when she visited the tank she was handed a paper which informed her that she was entitled to another £5 War Bond,” said the Echo.
At the end of Egbert’s five day stay, he had raised £812,000 – £13 10s 6d per Darlingtonian. Then he rolled off to Durham City, where the weather broke and he slithered down Claypath and Gilesgate in the rain. “The entry of this battle-scarred monster into the ancient city created considerable interest,” said the Echo.
Darlington Tank Week 141 Egbert photographed in the market square
Lady Eden of Windlestone Hall, who had lost two sons in the conflict and had her eldest held prisoner for two years in Germany, climbed onto Egbert’s roof and passionately declaimed: “It is the bounden duty of every man, woman and child to render service of some description during this crisis, or else they are not worthy of the supreme sacrifices being made by the soldiers at this very moment.” After three days, Egbert had raised £225,000, and he rolled off to Houghton-le-Spring and Birtley before entering Bishop Auckland on April 13 where he was acclaimed as a hero. “The town was crowded long before noon, and when Egbert reached the Market Place at the head of a long procession to perform the customary stunts before taking up his position, there would be, on a moderate estimate, quite 10,000 people present,” speculated the Echo.
Towns and communities not personally visited by Egbert chipped in. Crook set up a tank bank in its Market Place, Sedgefield sent over £47,000, and Shildon had a military squeeze placed upon it as every street, every door, was visited. “The majority of the canvassers are ladies – chiefly teachers,” said the Echo. At the end of Egbert’s three freezing days, Bishop had contributed more than £400,000, and he rolled off to turn out the pockets of people in Scotland.
But West Hartlepool was declared the winner. Of all the towns in all the country it had raised the most – in a weeklong stay in early February, when Egbertmania was at its height, it had raised a staggering £2,367,333. That’s £237m in today’s values, according to the Bank of England Inflation Calculator.
That’s £37 per head – £2,000 per Hartlepudlian in today’s values. As a reward it got to keep Egbert, and in June 1919 he was placed on display at Stranton Bull Garth. But there were so many obsolete Egberts after the war that the National War Savings Committee offered 264 to the towns just beneath West Hartlepool. Darlington’s Egbert was placed just inside the Victoria Embankment entrance to South Park. Its innards were taken out and although it had metal railings around it, it became a climbing frame. Darlington Tank Week 141 Egbert on a railway flat wagon
Mk.IV Male tank 141 Egbert was photographed arriving at Darlington on 24 March 1918. It was loaded on a N.E.R. 40 ton quintuple wagon stripped of its bolsters and refitted with a new floor and special packing. Unlike other big loads the tank does not require the services of a crane or like appliances to be unloaded. It can wriggle on or off the wagon either sideways or over the end (Source North Eastern Railway Magazine Vl 8, No 89, May 1918 page 87)
Tank Week Local Newspaper Adverts
Darlington Tank Week 141 Egbert arrives on MondayDarlington Tank Week 141 Egbert clock advertDarlington Tank Week 141 Egbert tank arrives
Tank Week
The British Government needed to raise money to pay for the war effort. The tank was a new technology, and most of the population had not seen one. The War Savings Committee decided that six Mk.IV tanks would tour the country starting in December 1917 and throughout 1918 acting as ‘Tank Banks’ during celebrations known as ‘Tank Week.’ Companies and members of the public would be able to buy National War Bonds and War Savings Certificates from the cashier inside the door of the tank sponson. There were 20 shillings to the British Pound. For every 15s 6d (15 shillings and 6 pence: the minimum investment) invested in a War Savings Certificate, after five years, the government would pay back 20 shillings, an increase of 4s 6d (4 shillings and 6 pence). That is a 22.5% return. This was an attractive rate of return so many people and pension companies like the Provincial invested a lot of capital into War Savings Certificates and War Bonds (minimum investment £5). The War Bonds were sold to private investors in 1917 with the advertisement: “If you cannot fight, you can help your country by investing all you can in 5 per cent Exchequer Bonds … Unlike the soldier, the investor runs no risk.”
The six Mk.IV tanks were 113 Julian 4005, 119 Ole Bill, 130 Nelson, 137 Drake, 138 Iron Ration 4034, 141 Egbert and 142 also sometimes called Egbert although it never bore that name. Tank 141 Egbert was the only tank that had actually seen service in France. Other tanks were used. The top 256 fundraising towns and cities were offered a WW1 presentation tank as a thank you. Tanks Encyclopedia writer and researcher Craig Moore has researched and collected photographs of the Tank Week tank visits. If you find more photographs that are not in this collection, please send them to [email protected]
United Kingdom (1917-1918)
Cupar, Scotland Tank Week, 113 Julian
On the Tuesday 17th September 1918 the fund raising WW1 Mk.IV male tank 113 Julian 4005 arrived in Cupar. Cupar Tank Week, Scotland WW1 Mk.IV male tank 113 Julian 4005 Cupar Tank Week, Scotland, Julian 113
Julian 113 Scottish Tank Bank tour
Kirkcaldy Monday 16th September 1918
Cupar Tuesday 17th September 1918
Blairgowrie 18th September 1918
Coupar-Angus Thursday 19th September 1918
Kirriemuir Friday 20th September 1918
Arbroath Saturday 21st September 1918
Forfar Monday 23rd September 1918
Brechin Tuesday 24th September 1918
Montrose 25th September 1918
WW1 1918 fundraising tank tour of Scotland advert.
Tank Week
The British Government needed to raise money to pay for the war effort. The tank was a new technology, and most of the population had not seen one. The War Savings Committee decided that six Mk.IV tanks would tour the country starting in December 1917 and throughout 1918 acting as ‘Tank Banks’ during celebrations known as ‘Tank Week.’ Companies and members of the public would be able to buy National War Bonds and War Savings Certificates from the cashier inside the door of the tank sponson. There were 20 shillings to the British Pound. For every 15s 6d (15 shillings and 6 pence: the minimum investment) invested in a War Savings Certificate, after five years, the government would pay back 20 shillings, an increase of 4s 6d (4 shillings and 6 pence). That is a 22.5% return. This was an attractive rate of return so many people and pension companies like the Provincial invested a lot of capital into War Savings Certificates and War Bonds (minimum investment £5). The War Bonds were sold to private investors in 1917 with the advertisement: “If you cannot fight, you can help your country by investing all you can in 5 per cent Exchequer Bonds … Unlike the soldier, the investor runs no risk.”
The six Mk.IV tanks were 113 Julian 4005, 119 Ole Bill, 130 Nelson, 137 Drake, 138 Iron Ration 4034, 141 Egbert and 142 also sometimes called Egbert although it never bore that name. Tank 141 Egbert was the only tank that had actually seen service in France. Other tanks were used. The top 256 fundraising towns and cities were offered a WW1 presentation tank as a thank you. Tanks Encyclopedia writer and researcher Craig Moore has researched and collected photographs of the Tank Week tank visits. If you find more photographs that are not in this collection, please send them to [email protected]
United Kingdom (1917-1918)
Coatbridge, Scotland Tank Week, 113 Julian
Between 10-12 August 1918, the National Savings drive was supported by the visit of an Mk.IV male tank 113 Julian to Coatbridge in Scotland. Btween 10-12 August 1918, Mk.IV male tank 113 Julian visited Coatbridge in Scotland. This picture was published in `Coatbridge and the Great War` in 1919. The book a very substantial volume which was compiled by the Rev Lindsay and two of his daughters. Lindsay was the minister of Coatbridge Baptist Church. The same book has a picture of `Julian` knocking its way through old walls on the site of what is now Albion Rovers football club ground, Cliftonhill.
Tank Week
The British Government needed to raise money to pay for the war effort. The tank was a new technology, and most of the population had not seen one. The War Savings Committee decided that six Mk.IV tanks would tour the country starting in December 1917 and throughout 1918 acting as ‘Tank Banks’ during celebrations known as ‘Tank Week.’ Companies and members of the public would be able to buy National War Bonds and War Savings Certificates from the cashier inside the door of the tank sponson. There were 20 shillings to the British Pound. For every 15s 6d (15 shillings and 6 pence: the minimum investment) invested in a War Savings Certificate, after five years, the government would pay back 20 shillings, an increase of 4s 6d (4 shillings and 6 pence). That is a 22.5% return. This was an attractive rate of return so many people and pension companies like the Provincial invested a lot of capital into War Savings Certificates and War Bonds (minimum investment £5). The War Bonds were sold to private investors in 1917 with the advertisement: “If you cannot fight, you can help your country by investing all you can in 5 per cent Exchequer Bonds … Unlike the soldier, the investor runs no risk.”
The six Mk.IV tanks were 113 Julian 4005, 119 Ole Bill, 130 Nelson, 137 Drake, 138 Iron Ration 4034, 141 Egbert and 142 also sometimes called Egbert although it never bore that name. Tank 141 Egbert was the only tank that had actually seen service in France. Other tanks were used. The top 256 fundraising towns and cities were offered a WW1 presentation tank as a thank you. Tanks Encyclopedia writer and researcher Craig Moore has researched and collected photographs of the Tank Week tank visits. If you find more photographs that are not in this collection, please send them to [email protected]
United Kingdom (1917-1918)
Chiswick Tank Week, 130 Nelson
On 14 March 1918, the fund raising WW1 Mk.IV Male tank 130 Nelson arrived in Chiswick, London. On 14 March 1918 Mk.IV Male tank 130 Nelson visited Chiswick
Tank Week
The British Government needed to raise money to pay for the war effort. The tank was a new technology, and most of the population had not seen one. The War Savings Committee decided that six Mk.IV tanks would tour the country starting in December 1917 and throughout 1918 acting as ‘Tank Banks’ during celebrations known as ‘Tank Week.’ Companies and members of the public would be able to buy National War Bonds and War Savings Certificates from the cashier inside the door of the tank sponson. There were 20 shillings to the British Pound. For every 15s 6d (15 shillings and 6 pence: the minimum investment) invested in a War Savings Certificate, after five years, the government would pay back 20 shillings, an increase of 4s 6d (4 shillings and 6 pence). That is a 22.5% return. This was an attractive rate of return so many people and pension companies like the Provincial invested a lot of capital into War Savings Certificates and War Bonds (minimum investment £5). The War Bonds were sold to private investors in 1917 with the advertisement: “If you cannot fight, you can help your country by investing all you can in 5 per cent Exchequer Bonds … Unlike the soldier, the investor runs no risk.”
The six Mk.IV tanks were 113 Julian 4005, 119 Ole Bill, 130 Nelson, 137 Drake, 138 Iron Ration 4034, 141 Egbert and 142 also sometimes called Egbert although it never bore that name. Tank 141 Egbert was the only tank that had actually seen service in France. Other tanks were used. The top 256 fundraising towns and cities were offered a WW1 presentation tank as a thank you. Tanks Encyclopedia writer and researcher Craig Moore has researched and collected photographs of the Tank Week tank visits. If you find more photographs that are not in this collection, please send them to [email protected]
United Kingdom (1917-1918)
Chelsea Tank Week, 130 Nelson
In March 1918, the fund raising WW1 Mk.IV Male tank 130 Nelson arrived in Chelsea. In March 1918 Mk.IV Male tank 130 Nelson visited Chelsea
Tank Week
The British Government needed to raise money to pay for the war effort. The tank was a new technology, and most of the population had not seen one. The War Savings Committee decided that six Mk.IV tanks would tour the country starting in December 1917 and throughout 1918 acting as ‘Tank Banks’ during celebrations known as ‘Tank Week.’ Companies and members of the public would be able to buy National War Bonds and War Savings Certificates from the cashier inside the door of the tank sponson. There were 20 shillings to the British Pound. For every 15s 6d (15 shillings and 6 pence: the minimum investment) invested in a War Savings Certificate, after five years, the government would pay back 20 shillings, an increase of 4s 6d (4 shillings and 6 pence). That is a 22.5% return. This was an attractive rate of return so many people and pension companies like the Provincial invested a lot of capital into War Savings Certificates and War Bonds (minimum investment £5). The War Bonds were sold to private investors in 1917 with the advertisement: “If you cannot fight, you can help your country by investing all you can in 5 per cent Exchequer Bonds … Unlike the soldier, the investor runs no risk.”
The six Mk.IV tanks were 113 Julian 4005, 119 Ole Bill, 130 Nelson, 137 Drake, 138 Iron Ration 4034, 141 Egbert and 142 also sometimes called Egbert although it never bore that name. Tank 142 gbert was the only tank that had actually seen service in France. Other tanks were used. The top 256 fundraising towns and cities were offered a WW1 presentation tank as a thank you. Tanks Encyclopedia writer and researcher Craig Moore has researched and collected photographs of the Tank Week tank visits. If you find more photographs that are not in this collection, please send them to [email protected]
United Kingdom (1917-1918)
Callander, Perthshire, Scotland Tank Week, 133 Julian
On 7 August 1918, Mark IV male tank 133 Julian visited Callander, Perthshire, Scotland
On 7 August 1918 Mark IV male tank 133 Julian made an appearance in Callander, Perthshire, Scotland during its tour around Scotland, part of a fund-raising drive for the Scottish War Savings Committee. In this photograph a crowd of local adults and children can be seen following the tank through Main Street, trying to get a better look.
Tank Week
The British Government needed to raise money to pay for the war effort. The tank was a new technology, and most of the population had not seen one. The War Savings Committee decided that six Mk.IV tanks would tour the country starting in December 1917 and throughout 1918 acting as ‘Tank Banks’ during celebrations known as ‘Tank Week.’ Companies and members of the public would be able to buy National War Bonds and War Savings Certificates from the cashier inside the door of the tank sponson. There were 20 shillings to the British Pound. For every 15s 6d (15 shillings and 6 pence: the minimum investment) invested in a War Savings Certificate, after five years, the government would pay back 20 shillings, an increase of 4s 6d (4 shillings and 6 pence). That is a 22.5% return. This was an attractive rate of return so many people and pension companies like the Provincial invested a lot of capital into War Savings Certificates and War Bonds (minimum investment £5). The War Bonds were sold to private investors in 1917 with the advertisement: “If you cannot fight, you can help your country by investing all you can in 5 per cent Exchequer Bonds … Unlike the soldier, the investor runs no risk.”
The six Mk.IV tanks were 113 Julian 4005, 119 Ole Bill, 130 Nelson, 137 Drake, 138 Iron Ration 4034, 141 Egbert and 142 also sometimes called Egbert although it never bore that name. Tank 141 Egbert was the only tank that had actually seen service in France. Other tanks were used. The top 256 fundraising towns and cities were offered a WW1 presentation tank as a thank you. Tanks Encyclopedia writer and researcher Craig Moore has researched and collected photographs of the Tank Week tank visits. If you find more photographs that are not in this collection, please send them to [email protected]
United Kingdom (1917-1918)
Bromley Tank Week, 137 Drake
Mk.IV Male Tank 137 Drake in Bromley (Source Nursing Sister Ada A.Kemp) Tank 137 Drake in the Market Square, Bromley during Tank Week 16 March 1918 Bromley Tank Week 137 Drake
Tank Week
The British Government needed to raise money to pay for the war effort. The tank was a new technology, and most of the population had not seen one. The War Savings Committee decided that six Mk.IV tanks would tour the country starting in December 1917 and throughout 1918 acting as ‘Tank Banks’ during celebrations known as ‘Tank Week.’ Companies and members of the public would be able to buy National War Bonds and War Savings Certificates from the cashier inside the door of the tank sponson. There were 20 shillings to the British Pound. For every 15s 6d (15 shillings and 6 pence: the minimum investment) invested in a War Savings Certificate, after five years, the government would pay back 20 shillings, an increase of 4s 6d (4 shillings and 6 pence). That is a 22.5% return. This was an attractive rate of return so many people and pension companies like the Provincial invested a lot of capital into War Savings Certificates and War Bonds (minimum investment £5). The War Bonds were sold to private investors in 1917 with the advertisement: “If you cannot fight, you can help your country by investing all you can in 5 per cent Exchequer Bonds … Unlike the soldier, the investor runs no risk.”
The six Mk.IV tanks were 113 Julian 4005, 119 Ole Bill, 130 Nelson, 137 Drake, 138 Iron Ration 4034, 141 Egbert and 142 also sometimes called Egbert although it never bore that name. Tank 141 Egbert was the only tank that had actually seen service in France. Other tanks were used. The top 256 fundraising towns and cities were offered a WW1 presentation tank as a thank you. Tanks Encyclopedia writer and researcher Craig Moore has researched and collected photographs of the Tank Week tank visits. If you find more photographs that are not in this collection, please send them to [email protected]
United Kingdom (1917-1918)
Brixton Tank Week, 137 Drake
WW1 Mk.IV male tank 137 Drake visited Brixton in Lambeth on the 14 and 15 May 1918 during Tank Week. Mk.IV male tank 137 Drake visited Brixton in Lambeth on the 14 and 15 May 1918 during Tank Week.
Tank Week
The British Government needed to raise money to pay for the war effort. The tank was a new technology, and most of the population had not seen one. The War Savings Committee decided that six Mk.IV tanks would tour the country starting in December 1917 and throughout 1918 acting as ‘Tank Banks’ during celebrations known as ‘Tank Week.’ Companies and members of the public would be able to buy National War Bonds and War Savings Certificates from the cashier inside the door of the tank sponson. There were 20 shillings to the British Pound. For every 15s 6d (15 shillings and 6 pence: the minimum investment) invested in a War Savings Certificate, after five years, the government would pay back 20 shillings, an increase of 4s 6d (4 shillings and 6 pence). That is a 22.5% return. This was an attractive rate of return so many people and pension companies like the Provincial invested a lot of capital into War Savings Certificates and War Bonds (minimum investment £5). The War Bonds were sold to private investors in 1917 with the advertisement: “If you cannot fight, you can help your country by investing all you can in 5 per cent Exchequer Bonds … Unlike the soldier, the investor runs no risk.”
The six Mk.IV tanks were 113 Julian 4005, 119 Ole Bill, 130 Nelson, 137 Drake, 138 Iron Ration 4034, 141 Egbert and 142 also sometimes called Egbert although it never bore that name. Tank 141 Egbert was the only tank that had actually seen service in France. Other tanks were used. The top 256 fundraising towns and cities were offered a WW1 presentation tank as a thank you. Tanks Encyclopedia writer and researcher Craig Moore has researched and collected photographs of the Tank Week tank visits. If you find more photographs that are not in this collection, please send them to [email protected]
United Kingdom (1917-1918)
Bolton Tank Week, 141 Egbert
On 4 February 1918, the WW1 Mk.IV Male tank 141 Egbert arrived in Bolton during Tank Week. The photograph below was used on post cards to celebrate Tank Week. The printer was in Bolton but it has not been confirmed if this photograph was taken in Bolton. Tank 141 Egbert left Bolton on 7 February 1918 to visit Oldham. Tank 141 Egbert arrived in Bolton on 4 February 1918
Tank Week
The British Government needed to raise money to pay for the war effort. The tank was a new technology, and most of the population had not seen one. The War Savings Committee decided that six Mk.IV tanks would tour the country starting in December 1917 and throughout 1918 acting as ‘Tank Banks’ during celebrations known as ‘Tank Week.’ Companies and members of the public would be able to buy National War Bonds and War Savings Certificates from the cashier inside the door of the tank sponson. There were 20 shillings to the British Pound. For every 15s 6d (15 shillings and 6 pence: the minimum investment) invested in a War Savings Certificate, after five years, the government would pay back 20 shillings, an increase of 4s 6d (4 shillings and 6 pence). That is a 22.5% return. This was an attractive rate of return so many people and pension companies like the Provincial invested a lot of capital into War Savings Certificates and War Bonds (minimum investment £5). The War Bonds were sold to private investors in 1917 with the advertisement: “If you cannot fight, you can help your country by investing all you can in 5 per cent Exchequer Bonds … Unlike the soldier, the investor runs no risk.”
The six Mk.IV tanks were 113 Julian 4005, 119 Ole Bill, 130 Nelson, 137 Drake, 138 Iron Ration 4034, 141 Egbert and 142 also sometimes called Egbert although it never bore that name. Tank 141 Egbert was the only tank that had actually seen service in France. Other tanks were used. The top 256 fundraising towns and cities were offered a WW1 presentation tank as a thank you. Tanks Encyclopedia writer and researcher Craig Moore has researched and collected photographs of the Tank Week tank visits. If you find more photographs that are not in this collection, please send them to [email protected]
United Kingdom (1917-1918)
Bishop Auckland Tank Week, 141 Egbert
Between 11th to 13th April 1918, the War Bond fund raising WW1 Mk.IV Male tank 141 Egbert arrived in Bishop Auckland. Bishop Auckland Tank Week 141 Egbert advert
Tank Week
The British Government needed to raise money to pay for the war effort. The tank was a new technology, and most of the population had not seen one. The War Savings Committee decided that six Mk.IV tanks would tour the country starting in December 1917 and throughout 1918 acting as ‘Tank Banks’ during celebrations known as ‘Tank Week.’ Companies and members of the public would be able to buy National War Bonds and War Savings Certificates from the cashier inside the door of the tank sponson. There were 20 shillings to the British Pound. For every 15s 6d (15 shillings and 6 pence: the minimum investment) invested in a War Savings Certificate, after five years, the government would pay back 20 shillings, an increase of 4s 6d (4 shillings and 6 pence). That is a 22.5% return. This was an attractive rate of return so many people and pension companies like the Provincial invested a lot of capital into War Savings Certificates and War Bonds (minimum investment £5). The War Bonds were sold to private investors in 1917 with the advertisement: “If you cannot fight, you can help your country by investing all you can in 5 per cent Exchequer Bonds … Unlike the soldier, the investor runs no risk.”
The six Mk.IV tanks were 113 Julian 4005, 119 Ole Bill, 130 Nelson, 137 Drake, 138 Iron Ration 4034, 141 Egbert and 142 also sometimes called Egbert although it never bore that name. Tank 141 Egbert was the only tank that had actually seen service in France. Other tanks were used. The top 256 fundraising towns and cities were offered a WW1 presentation tank as a thank you. Tanks Encyclopedia writer and researcher Craig Moore has researched and collected photographs of the Tank Week tank visits. If you find more photographs that are not in this collection, please send them to [email protected]
United Kingdom (1917-1918)
Birtley Tank Week, 141 Egbert
Between the 8th to 10th April 1918, the fundraising WW1 tank 141 Egbert arrived in Birtley. This advert shows the arrival date for Egbert at Birtley
Tank Week
The British Government needed to raise money to pay for the war effort. The tank was a new technology, and most of the population had not seen one. The War Savings Committee decided that six Mk.IV tanks would tour the country starting in December 1917 and throughout 1918 acting as ‘Tank Banks’ during celebrations known as ‘Tank Week.’ Companies and members of the public would be able to buy National War Bonds and War Savings Certificates from the cashier inside the door of the tank sponson. There were 20 shillings to the British Pound. For every 15s 6d (15 shillings and 6 pence: the minimum investment) invested in a War Savings Certificate, after five years, the government would pay back 20 shillings, an increase of 4s 6d (4 shillings and 6 pence). That is a 22.5% return. This was an attractive rate of return so many people and pension companies like the Provincial invested a lot of capital into War Savings Certificates and War Bonds (minimum investment £5). The War Bonds were sold to private investors in 1917 with the advertisement: “If you cannot fight, you can help your country by investing all you can in 5 per cent Exchequer Bonds … Unlike the soldier, the investor runs no risk.”
The six Mk.IV tanks were 113 Julian 4005, 119 Ole Bill, 130 Nelson, 137 Drake, 138 Iron Ration 4034, 141 Egbert and 142 also sometimes called Egbert although it never bore that name. Tank 141 Egbert was the only tank that had actually seen service in France. Other tanks were used. The top 256 fundraising towns and cities were offered a WW1 presentation tank as a thank you. Tanks Encyclopedia writer and researcher Craig Moore has researched and collected photographs of the Tank Week tank visits. If you find more photographs that are not in this collection, please send them to [email protected]
United Kingdom (1917-1918)
Brighton Tank Week, 142
The south coast’s National Savings drive was supported by the visit of a tank in July 1918. It visited Hove, Brighton, Eastbourne etc during that month. What is interesting, however, is that this tank was not one of the regular six tank banks. It was in fact another tank with home service number (HSN) 142. The above photograph was taken at Eastbourne. At present no photograph of 142 has been found. The press got confused and in some cases called it Egbert, but that name belonged to tank HSN 141.
Tank Week
The British Government needed to raise money to pay for the war effort. The tank was a new technology, and most of the population had not seen one. The War Savings Committee decided that six Mk.IV tanks would tour the country starting in December 1917 and throughout 1918 acting as ‘Tank Banks’ during celebrations known as ‘Tank Week.’ Companies and members of the public would be able to buy National War Bonds and War Savings Certificates from the cashier inside the door of the tank sponson. There were 20 shillings to the British Pound. For every 15s 6d (15 shillings and 6 pence: the minimum investment) invested in a War Savings Certificate, after five years, the government would pay back 20 shillings, an increase of 4s 6d (4 shillings and 6 pence). That is a 22.5% return. This was an attractive rate of return so many people and pension companies like the Provincial invested a lot of capital into War Savings Certificates and War Bonds (minimum investment £5). The War Bonds were sold to private investors in 1917 with the advertisement: “If you cannot fight, you can help your country by investing all you can in 5 per cent Exchequer Bonds … Unlike the soldier, the investor runs no risk.”
The six Mk.IV tanks were 113 Julian 4005, 119 Ole Bill, 130 Nelson, 137 Drake, 138 Iron Ration 4034, 141 Egbert and 142 also sometimes called Egbert although it never bore that name. Tank 141 Egbert was the only tank that had actually seen service in France. Other tanks were used. The top 256 fundraising towns and cities were offered a WW1 presentation tank as a thank you. Tanks Encyclopedia writer and researcher Craig Moore has researched and collected photographs of the Tank Week tank visits. If you find more photographs that are not in this collection, please send them to [email protected]
United Kingdom (1917-1918)
Brechin, Angus, Scotland Tank Week, 113 Julian
Brechin Tank Bank
A dismally wet Tuesday in Brechin saw the visit of Julian. The tank had arrived in the city by rail from Forfar in the early morning of 24 September 1918, moving out of Brechin station at 9:00 am. Undeterred by the weather, a large crowd had gathered and watched with great interest as he left the station for his stance at St Ninian’s Square. It was only a short journey to the tank’s stance and many onlookers felt disappointed to not have seen more of the tank in action, hinting that several of the old buildings in the city may have benefitted from being demolished by Julian. Because of the tank’s bulk, the Town Council had decided that the streets of the ancient city were too deep and narrow to allow the tank to travel safely into the centre.
A detachment of local 1/5th Black Watch Volunteers, along with the burgh police force bolstered by special constable volunteers formed the tank’s guard of honour, escorting Julian to his resting place for the remainder of his stay. Lord Strathclyde had been invited to Brechin to deliver the opening address, having been attending a gathering of farmers at the Mart that noon. By 2:30 pm a crowd had gathered at St Ninian’s Square, the weather having improved enough for start of the opening ceremony. Lord Strathclyde was accompanied on the roof of Julian by Provost George Henderson, Bailie James Addison and Bailie Alexander Stewart; the Reverend Dr. Walter William Coats; Miss McNab of Keithock, Lady Commandant of the Red Cross; and Mr Shaw Adamson of Careston.
Following Lord Strathclyde’s address, singing commenced with “God Save the King” being called for. Despite the local School Board running singing classes and the city’s band’s efforts to further Brechin’s interest in music, it was noted that the response was feeble, with one local commentator adding: “They cannot sing for nuts”. In addition to Brechin’s savings banks and the Tank Office, the Local Food Control Office at the corner of St Ninian’s Square had been placed at the disposal of the War Savings Committee, where Mr J C Robertson, postmaster, and his staff had opened a branch Post Office for the duration of the day. From 9:45 am War Bonds and War Savings Certificates were issued to the public, which were later stamped by staff at the tank. Purchasers were then presented with a voucher entering them into the day’s prize draw.
As a result of Julian’s visit to Brechin, investments totalling £47,334.19s were accumulated, for the most part through trade at the banks. Collections made at the Tank Office in the square raised over £3,000 coming mainly from small cash contributions. Including the sums raised since Tank Week in February, Brechin’s sales of War Bonds reached £136,882.10s. and War Savings Certificates totalled £33,343.18s.6d. This equated to approximately £20 per head of the population for the city.
Brechin Tank Week, Angus, Scotland, Julian 113
Julian 113 Scottish Tank Bank tour
Kirkcaldy Monday 16th September 1918
Cupar Tuesday 17th September 1918
Blairgowrie 18th September 1918
Coupar-Angus Thursday 19th September 1918
Kirriemuir Friday 20th September 1918
Arbroath Saturday 21st September 1918
Forfar Monday 23rd September 1918
Brechin Tuesday 24th September 1918
Montrose 25th September 1918 Brechin Tank Week, Angus, Scotland, Advert
Tank Week
The British Government needed to raise money to pay for the war effort. The tank was a new technology, and most of the population had not seen one. The War Savings Committee decided that six Mk.IV tanks would tour the country starting in December 1917 and throughout 1918 acting as ‘Tank Banks’ during celebrations known as ‘Tank Week.’ Companies and members of the public would be able to buy National War Bonds and War Savings Certificates from the cashier inside the door of the tank sponson. There were 20 shillings to the British Pound. For every 15s 6d (15 shillings and 6 pence: the minimum investment) invested in a War Savings Certificate, after five years, the government would pay back 20 shillings, an increase of 4s 6d (4 shillings and 6 pence). That is a 22.5% return. This was an attractive rate of return so many people and pension companies like the Provincial invested a lot of capital into War Savings Certificates and War Bonds (minimum investment £5). The War Bonds were sold to private investors in 1917 with the advertisement: “If you cannot fight, you can help your country by investing all you can in 5 per cent Exchequer Bonds … Unlike the soldier, the investor runs no risk.”
The six Mk.IV tanks were 113 Julian 4005, 119 Ole Bill, 130 Nelson, 137 Drake, 138 Iron Ration 4034, 141 Egbert and 142 also sometimes called Egbert although it never bore that name. Tank 141 Egbert was the only tank that had actually seen service in France. Other tanks were used. The top 256 fundraising towns and cities were offered a WW1 presentation tank as a thank you. Tanks Encyclopedia writer and researcher Craig Moore has researched and collected photographs of the Tank Week tank visits. If you find more photographs that are not in this collection, please send them to [email protected]
United Kingdom (1917-1918)
Bradford Tank Week, 130 Nelson
In December 1917 the fund raising WW1 Mk.IV Male tank 130 Nelson arrived in Bradford. The amount of money raised during the war effort fundraising Tank Week was staggering. Bradford was one of the top ten cities and raised a total of £4,060,000. Bradford Tank Week 130 Nelson
Tank Week
The British Government needed to raise money to pay for the war effort. The tank was a new technology, and most of the population had not seen one. The War Savings Committee decided that six Mk.IV tanks would tour the country starting in December 1917 and throughout 1918 acting as ‘Tank Banks’ during celebrations known as ‘Tank Week.’ Companies and members of the public would be able to buy National War Bonds and War Savings Certificates from the cashier inside the door of the tank sponson. There were 20 shillings to the British Pound. For every 15s 6d (15 shillings and 6 pence: the minimum investment) invested in a War Savings Certificate, after five years, the government would pay back 20 shillings, an increase of 4s 6d (4 shillings and 6 pence). That is a 22.5% return. This was an attractive rate of return so many people and pension companies like the Provincial invested a lot of capital into War Savings Certificates and War Bonds (minimum investment £5). The War Bonds were sold to private investors in 1917 with the advertisement: “If you cannot fight, you can help your country by investing all you can in 5 per cent Exchequer Bonds … Unlike the soldier, the investor runs no risk.”
The six Mk.IV tanks were 113 Julian 4005, 119 Ole Bill, 130 Nelson, 137 Drake, 138 Iron Ration 4034, 141 Egbert and 142 also sometimes called Egbert although it never bore that name. Tank 141 Egbert was the only tank that had actually seen service in France. Other tanks were used. The top 256 fundraising towns and cities were offered a WW1 presentation tank as a thank you. Tanks Encyclopedia writer and researcher Craig Moore has researched and collected photographs of the Tank Week tank visits. If you find more photographs that are not in this collection, please send them to [email protected]
United Kingdom (1917-1918)
Bournemouth Victory Bond Week, Mark V* 72 and Medium Mark A Whippet A392
On 4 December 1918 the fund raising WW1 Mk.V* 72 tank arrived in Bournemouth with some Whippet tanks.
This is a photograph of a Male Mk.V* tank parked outside the Westbourne Hotel, 44 Poole Road, Bournemouth, during the Victory Bond fundraising week. Home Service Number 72. It may be part of the Victory Loan Drive of 1919. Bournemouth Victory Bond Week Whippet A392
Bournemouth Victory Bond Week
While many towns and cities had already hosted their Tank Weeks, to encourage the purchase of War Loans, Bournemouth’s event did not take place until after the Armistice agreement had been signed in France. It was widely understood that, although the fighting had come to a stop, until a Peace Conference had been called and agreed the final terms, fighting could still resume at any time. It was also becoming clear to the man in the street that the country remained in dire need of large amounts of money, because of the huge daily costs incurred in running the war. So the emphasis of the War Savings Committee shifted slightly and Bournemouth held a Victory Bond Week.
The unexpected Armistice, and the keenly anticipated formal end to the war, seemed to indicate that the large numbers of tanks which had been built to support a planned overwhelming victory drive in 1919 would soon be redundant. Training of tank crews at nearby Bovington Camp had certainly slowed, so it was probably for this reason that Bournemouth’s Victory Bond Week was supported by no less than five of the now-familiar rhomboid-shaped tanks, together with a smaller ‘Medium A’ Whippet and a captured German howitzer. All these WW1 weapons arrived at Bournemouth Central Railway Station on 4 December 1918 and formed a procession from the Station, through Boscombe, down Christchurch Road, via Lansdowne to the Square. A Large Z6 airship sailed over the route dropping Victory Bond literature on the crowds.
One tank left and drove to Westbourne, whilst two more went to Meyrick Park, leaving two plus the Whippet and the captured German howitzer to be displayed in the Square. the Mayor of Bournemouth climbed up onto of one of the tanks in the Square and gave a speech as part of the formal opening of the Tank Banks. As part of the celebrations the two tanks in Meyrick Park put on a display on the rough ground at the end of the Golf Course to entertain the large crowd.
This unprecedented display of armoured power clearly must have made a strong contribution to the magnificent investment of £630,000 over the week. It thus would have come as no great surprise when Mr F J Webb, of the National War Savings Committee, wrote to the Town Council on 28th March 1919 to offer Bournemouth a presentation tank in appreciation of its contribution. Unfortunatly this offer was declined when the council realised that they would have to provide the funds to maintain the vehicle. (Source: Friends of the Lincoln Tank)
Tank Week
The British Government needed to raise money to pay for the war effort. The tank was a new technology, and most of the population had not seen one. The War Savings Committee decided that six Mk.IV tanks would tour the country starting in December 1917 and throughout 1918 acting as ‘Tank Banks’ during celebrations known as ‘Tank Week.’ Companies and members of the public would be able to buy National War Bonds and War Savings Certificates from the cashier inside the door of the tank sponson. There were 20 shillings to the British Pound. For every 15s 6d (15 shillings and 6 pence: the minimum investment) invested in a War Savings Certificate, after five years, the government would pay back 20 shillings, an increase of 4s 6d (4 shillings and 6 pence). That is a 22.5% return. This was an attractive rate of return so many people and pension companies like the Provincial invested a lot of capital into War Savings Certificates and War Bonds (minimum investment £5). The War Bonds were sold to private investors in 1917 with the advertisement: “If you cannot fight, you can help your country by investing all you can in 5 per cent Exchequer Bonds … Unlike the soldier, the investor runs no risk.”
The six Mk.IV tanks were 113 Julian 4005, 119 Ole Bill, 130 Nelson, 137 Drake, 138 Iron Ration 4034, 141 Egbert and 142 also sometimes called Egbert although it never bore that name. Tank 141 Egbert was the only tank that had actually seen service in France. Other tanks were used. The top 256 fundraising towns and cities were offered a WW1 presentation tank as a thank you. Tanks Encyclopedia writer and researcher Craig Moore has researched and collected photographs of the Tank Week tank visits. If you find more photographs that are not in this collection, please send them to [email protected]
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Cookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy
Privacy Overview
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
United Kingdom (1917-1918)
