Current Information:

Age-22

19, Westminster Road, Hanwell

The British first used tanks in September 1916 during the Battle of the Somme after which they became a feature of the Western Front and had an important role to play in much of the action of the final two years of the war. However, the early tanks had many shortcomings not least of which were the hellish conditions that the tank crews had to contend with. The noise made by the engine and the heat and exhaust fumes coming from it were almost overwhelming. There was no form of suspension and the crew were subjected to violent movements as it traversed shell torn land. Communication was practically impossible and they were slow, barely able to keep up with the infantry. They offered protection from machine-gun and rifle bullets but were vulnerable to shell fire and their speed, or lack of it made them sitting targets. Lastly they were mechanically unreliable and often broke down. Nevertheless, on the plus side they often supported the infantry very effectively with their machine-guns and six-pounder artillery pieces. They could be directed on to specific targets such as machine-gun nests and their ability to take trenches and barbed wire in their stride made it easier to break through the enemy lines. They were also used in mopping up operations after an infantry attack and they were able to deliver much needed supplies, especially ammunition to the front.

The Battle of Arras was a series of offensives by the British Army between 9th April 1917 and 16th May 1917. It had been planned in conjunction with the French who would attack in Artois and between them the Allies would force the Germans out of the large salient they had held since the line of trenches was first established. But the Germans had spoiled this plan by falling back to the new and very strong Hindenburg Line in January 1917 and the salient no longer existed.  For the want of an alternative plan the attack went ahead anyway. It all started well for the British who made substantial gains on the first two days but then the offensive ground to a halt and by the end their losses amounted to over 150,000.

Kenneth Robertson was killed on 11th April, 1917 when four tanks from D Battalion of the Tank Corps assisted 167 Brigade of 56th Division carry out a remarkable series of bombing operations whereby they forced an entry into the Wancourt-Feuchy line where it crossed the Hindenbirg Line.