A chap gave me this photo of a Tank on display at Kiln Lane, Milnrow, Rochdale (now in Greater Manchester). The photographer chose a typically glorious Rochdale day on which to take the picture. I've no more details.
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Thanks for posting this. I'd not seen any information on this tank before. From the number alone I'd say it was a Mark IV Female, but in the murk it could easily be a Mark III (or a cardboard cutout for that matter!). Gwyn
It's definitely a Mk IV (or a murky cutout of one). As you say Gwyn, the number is one clue. You can also just make out the mounting points for the unditching rails on the body and the cab roof points which means that this tank most likely never left England.
Glad it's of interest. Clearly, the people of Milnrow had lost interest by the time the photo was taken. I've been in touch with the local paper to see if anyone has any info.
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"Sometimes things that are not true are included in Wikipedia. While at first glance that may appear like a very great problem for Wikipedia, in reality is it not. In fact, it's a good thing." - Wikipedia.
I've been pleasantly surprised to receive two very prompt responses via the Rochdale Observer:
I remember the tank being in Milnrow in my childhood, but do not remember the time it was taken away. I understood from my father that Milnrow had been awarded this tank, as an appreciation for the one of the largest contributions to National Savings, in the appeal during the GREAT WAR. I think that my brother (deceased) had a photograph of himself sitting on it, perhaps with other children. I should think that it was there in 1930 or later. I was born in 1918 in Firgrove and I think it was there when we came to live at Moorhouse. I hope that this sketchy information is of some help. Jessie Dyson
I remember the tank at the bottom of Kiln Lane, I used to play on it with my young pals, that would be in the early 1930's. I believe it was taken away for scrap at the start of the war in 1939. Hope this helps. Bill Tonks (age 80)
These are emails from some on-line OAPs. There might be some snailmail info in the paper itself next week.
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"Sometimes things that are not true are included in Wikipedia. While at first glance that may appear like a very great problem for Wikipedia, in reality is it not. In fact, it's a good thing." - Wikipedia.