Description
Object description
British private served as gunner with D Bn, Tank Corps on Western Front, 1917
Content description
REEL 1: Recollections of operations with D Bn, Tank Corps on Western Front, 1917: first experience of action in Poelcappelle/St Julien sector, Ypres sector, 31 Jul/1917; reason for being named Jason; use of tanks to transport wounded; secrecy surrounding tanks; change of name from Heavy Branch, Machine Gun Corps to Tank Corps; issued with new insignia; description of tank and gunnery training at Bovington Camp, Dorset, GB, 1917; collected tanks from workshop at Elverdinghe Wood; transportation of tanks by rail; story of meeting Prince of Wales; description of tank park in wood; number of tanks in D Bn; female tank named Delicia after French dancer; opinion of Bn CO; tank crew and armaments; story of being given 50 francs by Cpt Enoch, 11/1917; description of attack at St Julien, 31/Jul/1917; rate of advance; examples of lucky escapes and minor wounds; opinion of rations; story about cook Cpl Hardy preparing meal.
REEL 2 Continues: opinion of padre; story about getting drunk on rum ration; description of interior of tank; petrol and ammunition; attitude to infantry; question of safety in tank; description of attack by D Bn at Buelow Farm, 22/Aug/1917; story of Cpl Jagger winning Military Medal; story of Lt Knight being killed in tank; role of tanks supporting infantry; problem of manoeuvring tank; story of tank crew member being run over by tanks; use of bodies of men and mules to fill holes in road; opinion of use of tanks at Ypres; maintenance of tanks; story of Belgian farmer shot for spying for Germans.
REEL 3 Continues: story of last meeting with brother at estaminet in Poperinghe; story of hand sticking out of ground; reaction to death of brother; attitude to looting; story of taking boots off dead German soldier; reconnaissance missions in Ypres; problem of condition of roads; description of tank engines; attitude to serving with Tank Corps; uniform and equipment; armed with Smith and Wesson revolver; wounded by shell splinter in hand; description of view from tank; comparison of operations at Ypres and Cambrai; story about tank gunner bringing bad luck; story of Gunner Ledger winning Military Medal.