Current Information:

Age-28

Attached from Royal Army Service Corps

3, Cleveland Gardens, Barnes

Gwalia Cemetery, Belgium

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.

Although tanks were used during Third Ypres the muddy and swampy terrain made tank warfare very difficult. They were for ever getting stuck in deep mud and their usefulness was restricted.

William Harman of A Battalion of the Tank Corps was killed on 8th September, 1917, but as yet there is no further information concerning his death.