World War One Tank Corps VC recipients (l-r) Richard Wain, Cecil Sewell, Clement Robertson, Richard West
For the first time ever the four Victoria Crosses awarded to members of the Tank Corps in World War One will be brought together and put on display.
The Tank Museum in Bovington, Dorset, has managed to secure them all and will unveil them on Monday August 6 in a special exhibition.
The museum owns one of the VCs – that awarded to Cecil Sewell – and Lord Ashcroft is loaning the one awarded to Richard West.
Cecil Sewell’s VC
The family of Richard Wain loaned the museum his VC last year and following an appeal the final VC – awarded to Clement Robertson – has also been secured.
The VC is the highest award for gallantry and the stories of how the tank men won them are staggering – and they were all awarded posthumously.
Clement Robertson was the first Tank Corps officer to be awarded a VC, and it was for his heroics at Passchendale on October 4 1917.
Prior to an advance he spent three days in no-man’s-land marking out the routes for his tanks to follow – all under heavy fire.
On the day – even with the routes taped out – he thought the tanks might still lose their way and get bogged down.
So he decided to lead them on foot, refusing to take cover from the shell and bullet fire. As the tanks continued forward Robertson was shot and killed, but his self-sacrifice led to a successful attack. He was 26.
Captain Richard Wain was awarded the VC following his heroics at the Battle of Cambrai on November 20, 1917.
During the battle he was seriously injured when his tank was hit, but he shunned a stretcher, climbed out with a Lewis gun and attacked the enemy, captured a strong point, took prisoners and allowed the infantry to advance.
He continued shooting at the retreating Germans until he received a fatal shot to the head. He was 20.
David Willey, curator of the museum, said: “Having all four VCs together a century after they were awarded is a great moment for us. They have never been together before.
“Of course it wouldn’t have been possible without the assistance and generosity of Lord Ashcroft and the families of the recipients.
“As well as the VCs we will be displaying the men’s other medals and descriptions of what they did and photographs of them.
“All of the recipients received their VCs posthumously and the stories of their bravery is humbling and inspirational.
“Tanks were new, they were only introduced in September 1916 we can easily forget they were designed to save British lives.
“While we have the finest collection of tanks in the world it is always the stories of the men who fought in them that captures the imagination of our audience – and here are four of the best.”
The exhibition runs from Monday August 6 until November 11.
During the same week – on Wednesday 8 August – the museum will be commemorating the centenary of the Battle of Amiens, considered to be the beginning of the end of the war.
Curator David Willey shows one of the VCs to children descended from one of the heroes, Cecil Sewell
Caption (l-r) Richard Wain, Cecil Sewell, Clement Robertson, Richard West
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For more information contact Ed Baker at Deep South Media on 01202 534487 0r 07788392965
Nik Wyness | Head of Marketing | The Tank Museum | pr@tankmuseum.org | 01929 405 096 x234 |
Roz Skellorn | Marketing@tankmuseum.org
NOTES TO EDITORS:
ABOUT THE TANK MUSEUM
The Tank Museum at Bovington in Dorset holds the national collection of tanks and brings the story of tanks and tank crews to life.
With over 300 tanks from 26 nations, The Tank Museum holds the finest and most historically significant collection of fighting armour in the world. These range from the world’s first ever tank, Little Willie, through to the British Army’s current Main Battle Tank, Challenger 2.
Eight powerful exhibitions tell the story of armoured warfare spanning over 100 years of history. As you explore the Museum’s seven large halls, you come face with face to face with tanks and hear incredible true stories from the last century.
The Tank Museum is an independent Museum and registered Charity.
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