Tank signal flag : British Army Tank Corps, Harbonnieres

Places
Accession Number REL/06726
Collection type Heraldry
Object type Flag
Physical description Cotton, Wood
Maker Unknown
Place made United Kingdom
Date made c 1918
Conflict First World War, 1914-1918
Description

Sewn red and yellow cotton flag, with a sewn tubular hoist into which is fitted a makeshift wooden pole. There are grease and oil stains evident across the flag. An original "Australian War Museums" object tag tied to the pole notes that this flag was recovered by Lieutenant Parkinson, 5th Field Company Engineers on 10 August 1918 at Harbonnieres from a disabled tank.

History / Summary

This red and yellow signalling flag was carried by a British tank when it was disabled at Harbonnieres, probably on 8 or 9 August 1918.

On 10 August, Lieutenant Parkinson, 5th Field Company Engineers rejoined his unit from leave in England; his unit was working in the Bayonvillers and Harbonnieres area, repairing roads and wells in the wake of the 8 August offensive. He recovered this flag from the disabled tank - possibly the one pictured in AWM image P00098.009, marked in white paint "H51" on its fuel tank.