Model of British Mk V Tank : Lieutenant General Sir John Monash

Places
Accession Number RELAWM15132
Collection type Heraldry
Object type Heraldry
Physical description Cuprous metal, Felt fabric, Wood
Location Main Bld: First World War Gallery: Western Front 1918: Hamel
Maker Artificers of the 5th Tank Brigade, British Army
Place made Western Front
Date made 1918
Conflict First World War, 1914-1918
Description

Model of British Mark V Tank made from German shell-cases and driving bands. The model is mounted on a brass edged wooden base which has green felt stuck to its underside. A brass nameplate on the front of the base is engraved; 'MODEL OF MK. V. TANK / TO / LIEUT. GEN. SIR J. MONASH. KCB. / AUSTRALIAN CORPS / FROM / BRIG. GEN. A. COURAGE DSO. MC. / 5TH TANK BRIGADE / JULY 4TH 1918'. Monash wrote details about the model on a label which is stuck to the underside of the base, but 30-40% of it is now missing.

History / Summary

This model was made by artificers of 5th Tank Brigade, British Army, from German shell-cases and driving bands. The wooden base was made from a piece of an unditching beam which was laid across the top of a Mark V tank and would come automatically into use if the tank was stuck in a deep shell crater or a wide ditch to help haul it out.

The 5th Tank Brigade was under Lieutenant General Sir John Monash's command from mid June to the end of August 1918. The unit was used extensively and suffered heavy casualties during this period. They presented this model to Monash as a symbol of the good relationship between Monash and the unit before they were withdrawn from service for rest and re-equipping. The plaque on the model recognises the successful use of tanks on 4 July 1918, in the Battle of Hamel.