Germans insepcting the British Mark II tank No. 799. Commanded by 20-year-old Welshman Second ...

Germans insepcting the British Mark II tank No. 799. Commanded by 20-year-old Welshman Second Lieutenant (Lt) Harold Davies, the tank was destroyed by enemy fire while leading Australian troops in their attack on 11 April 1917. During the action Lt Davies’s tank had veered to the right and crossed the German lines, which meant it was well out of position before it was knocked out and captured. Most of the crew managed to get clear, but Lt Davies was last seen lying dead beside the vehicle. He has no known grave. The tank was later reduced to wreckage and eventually buried. Its remains were uncovered decades later on the old battlefield and acquired by the Australian War Memorial. The parts are currently on display in the refurbished First World War galleries.

Inscribed on reverse of image is: Tank in Bullecourt 11 April 1917.