Hi all, i'm looking for information on two tanks that were presented to towns after WWI - one is that which was given to the small town of Earl Shilton, my home town. Although I can't confirm the existence of this, local rumour has it that there was a WWI tank delivered after the war.
The other tank is that for Hinckley, where I went to school/college and is the local proper town. This is the information i've found for it;
1921
7th February Crawling through the town to its last resting place came a tank which was to be presented to the town for its generous financial help in the Great War.
The tank came from Richborough, near Ramsgate. Crowds assembled near the Gas Works to look at this wonderful war machine. The tank, which had the number 269 and was of the female variety, saw service in France. Lt. Roberts, who presented the tank, said: It was true to her sex - she was noisy and disobedient.
The tank made its way to the north-west corner of the Coventry Road Recreation Ground (Granville Road), to a stone platform. The engine remained in the tank, but other vital parts were removed.
Here is a photo of the Hitchin Presentation Tank. It was posted on the GWF forum. It has been spoiled by the red writting so I cannot confirm the 3 figured number you quote as being correct. Hope this helps
The Hitchen tank is serial 2088, and does not carry Home Forces numbers. Hinckley's 269 would have been painted on the nose and the front horns. All you can tell from the number 269 is that it was a Mark IV Female. See the thread on Home Forces numbers under the Camouflage and Markings forum on this site.
