Landships II

Members Login
Username 
 
Password 
    Remember Me  
Landships II -> Landships WW1 Forum -> Tanks -> Lt H.W. Hitchcock Commander Mk1 Female H.M.L.S. WE'RE ALL IN IT
Post Info TOPIC: Lt H.W. Hitchcock Commander Mk1 Female H.M.L.S. WE'RE ALL IN IT
SID


Sergeant

Status: Offline
Posts: 43
Date:
Lt H.W. Hitchcock Commander Mk1 Female H.M.L.S. WE'RE ALL IN IT
Permalink   

Hello all,

This is my first posting on here. I'm a WWI modeler based on the Isle of Wight here in the UK. My main interest is in the history and modeling of the first tanks.

I have recently discovered that Lt H.W. Hitchcock, Commander of Mk 1 Female 'H.M.L.S. We're all in it' seems to have come from the small town of Sandown on the Isle of Wight. I have found that he died aged only 22 and is buried in the Mill Rd cemetery, Thiepval. But have have yet to find him listed on any of the war memorials here on the island.

I would be very interested to hear from any of you good folks out there who has more information on Lt Hitchcock and the crew of we're all in it. (Especially as the new release Airfix Mk 1 Female depicts this very tank on its box artwork!)

 

Sid smile

 

 

 



__________________
Conspiracy theory? Maybe that's just what 'they' want you to think...
LincolnTanker


Commander in Chief

Status: Offline
Posts: 531
Date:
Permalink   

Welcome Sid,

I have no info on the crew. The Osprey Mark I book has a bit of info on the tank and a colour plate.

Here is a link to the section of the book that deals with 'We're all in it'

google.co.uk/books?id=AMlyKcpFv1AC&pg=PT28&lpg=PT28&dq=%22We're+all+in+it%22+tank&source=bl&ots=WclARY1tXP&sig=tVAsUIQbFB8aXEp2Fi6m0Gn5gIA&hl=en&ei=rc0JS-WmEY224QaYjtzKCw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CAgQ6AEwADgK#v=onepage&q=%22We're%20all%20in%20it%22%20tank&f=false

Good hunting
Chris

Attachments
__________________
ChrisG


The cure for boredom is curiosity. There is no cure for curiosity (Dorothy Parker)
SID


Sergeant

Status: Offline
Posts: 43
Date:
Permalink   

Cheers Chris,
Thats very useful to know! I will go back to my copy and re-read the relevant section,
I didn't realise how well documented this tank is. I have a copy of the book ' A New Excaliber' and that has a clear photo of We're all in it ditched with the machine guns removed. (Although the image is captioned only as a ditched MK1).

smile Dave

__________________
Conspiracy theory? Maybe that's just what 'they' want you to think...
philthydirtyanimal


Commander in Chief

Status: Offline
Posts: 671
Date:
Permalink   

Dave, this might not be news to you, but Lieutenant Hitchcock and 544 We're All In It are in Tanks and Trenches, 1996, edited by David Fletcher, pages 18 to 20.

Crew named are: Lt. Hitchcock, Corporal Taffs (took command when Lt Hitchcock was wounded), Lance Corporal Bevan (driver), Gunner Miles, and Gunner Stanley.

__________________
In wine there is wisdom, in beer there is freedom, in water there is bacteria.
SID


Sergeant

Status: Offline
Posts: 43
Date:
Permalink   

Thank you, there was some news in your info and I don't have a copy of that particular book. One for my list to Santa, lets hope I've been good!

Thanks for all the help and encouragement fellas!

For me this side of our modeling hobby is important as a mark of respect. Whilst we study the machines down to the last nut, bolt (and rivet!) and argue over the smallest variation of paint shade and markings. Its easy to overlook the memory of the young men who went to war in them and the trail of shattered bodies, minds and lives all too often left in their wake.

Keep Smiling !

__________________
Conspiracy theory? Maybe that's just what 'they' want you to think...
Rhomboid


Field Marshal

Status: Offline
Posts: 433
Date:
Permalink   

David, the excerpt from a report by "A" Company's commander regarding A13, found in "Tanks and Trenches" can be read in this thread on the Great War Forum:
http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=84579&hl=

Attachments
__________________
Gwyn Evans


Legend

Status: Offline
Posts: 1416
Date:
Permalink   

Sid,

Although the web address below covers C and D Companies only, you should look at it. It's inspiring and should spur anyone to do their own research, as well as giving pointers on where to look.

http://www.firsttankcrews.com/

Good hunting.

Gwyn

__________________
SID


Sergeant

Status: Offline
Posts: 43
Date:
Permalink   

Many Thanks Gywn, Top Site!
I can crank my research up a notch! Thanks to Rhomboid's link I have also learned that the fate of Two of the crew who bailed with commander Hitchcock was uncertain so I will be trying to find out their names.

Also In the same report mention is made of Gunner Stanley, being conveyed to hospital. I have found on the commonwealth war graves commission site one Private Stanley of A coy Motor Machine Gun Corp date of death 17/11/1916. (Just a few days after the engagement), but I can't be sure it is the same individual as yet.



__________________
Conspiracy theory? Maybe that's just what 'they' want you to think...
firsttankcrews


Major

Status: Offline
Posts: 111
Date:
Permalink   

SID - smack on the nose.
Thanks for the info

Stephen

__________________
Stephen Pope

http://www.firsttankcrews.com/
firsttankcrews


Major

Status: Offline
Posts: 111
Date:
Permalink   

SID

Through the wonders of the internet - we also have a photo.
I sent his details to Andrew, who runs the Burnley war memoriial website and he updated it last night with a picture

http://burnleyinthegreatwar.info/burnleyrollofhonourmens/stanleywilliamaustin201176.htm

Stephen

__________________
Stephen Pope

http://www.firsttankcrews.com/
Page 1 of 1  sorted by
 
Quick Reply

Please log in to post quick replies.
Landships II -> Landships WW1 Forum -> Tanks -> Lt H.W. Hitchcock Commander Mk1 Female H.M.L.S. WE'RE ALL IN IT
Tweet this page Post to Digg Post to Del.icio.us


Create your own FREE Forum
Report Abuse 		Powered by ActiveBoard