Loading up supply tanks

Sketchbook containing 56 pages of drawings from his service during the First World War

- Scrapbook leaf with two sketches recto, and one verso with inscription

Accession Number	ART03605.044.003
Collection type	Art
Measurement	backing sheet: 45.5 x 28.8 cm; image: 35.4 x 50.4 cm
Object type	Work on paper
Physical description	charcoal on paper
Date made	c. 1917-1918
Conflict	First World War, 1914-1918
Copyright	Item copyright: © Australian War Memorial This item is licensed under CC BY-NC

Description

Depicts soldiers loading supply tanks. Inscription associated with this sketch: "Loading up supply tanks for attack of 8 August. These carried ammunition, wire, supplies etc and were in position in the Bois l'Abbe; and on the evening of 7 August were all destroyed by evening shellfire. All the supplies for the [illeg.] had to be taken up on the 8th by GS wagons. Lieut [illeg.] of the 4th D.A.C. taking up 14 GS wagons loaded with S.A.A. to the frontline in broad daylight. He got back without having one casualty."
What Benson describes here as "supply tanks" are actually "Gun Carriers Mark 1." Very few images of these Gun Carriers Mark 1 still exist.