Landships II

The enclosed tank photo may be of one of the tourers. The photo is of the welcome home of Sergeant John Collins of the Royal Welch Fusiliers and the ceremony appears to have taken place in Cyfarthfa Park. Merthyr Tydfil, Glamorgan, South Wales. This park also received a presentation tank, a photo of which is also enclosed, as one can see it is quite a different beast although this has not prevented some confusion between the two.

Sergeant Collins actually was not a tank man having won his VC at the Battle of Beersheba (3rd Gaza) follows;

"Corporal Collins repeatedly went out when his battalion was forced to lie out in the open under heavy shell and machine-gun fire, and brought back many wounded. In subsequent operations he rallied his men and led the final assault with great skill in spite of heavy fire at close range and uncut wire. He bayonetted 15 of the enemy and with a Lewis gun section covered the reorganization and consolidation most effectively although isolated and under fire from snipers and guns. He was later promoted to Sergeant"