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The next Friends of the Lincoln Tank “presentation” will be held on Thursday the 30th November 2023. We will be hosting our ever popular “bring and tell” evening. So, you will be dictating the content of the night. If you have something from your collection or family archives, bring it along. The floor will then be yours (to a maximum of 10 minutes) when you can tell us all about your treasure. There will be no entry fee for this evening, since you will be providing the entertainment. There will, also, be a few snacks and seasonal goodies to consume, with our compliments. Should you wish to indulge, there will be a raffle!

The venue, as usual, will be The Royal Naval Club, Coulson Road, Lincoln. Doors will be open at 7.00pm for a 7.30pm start. The bar will be open for refreshments and there is ample parking. Remember, you do not have to be a member of the FoLT to attend. All will be welcome – old, young, male or female.
In the past we have had some terrific items brought in and displayed. I am sure this night will be the same with more fascinating items being shown to us by you.
Looking forward to seeing you on the night.

Friends of the Lincoln Tank

Welcome

The Friends are a group of enthusiasts dedicated to raising public awareness of the role of the City of Lincoln in the conception, development and building of the 20th century’s most formidable fighting machine. The Group was formed in 2004 by a small group of Tank fans, and has grown steadily over the years with members from Lincolnshire and beyond.

Our Chairman is Richard Pullen, historian and author of ‘The Landships of Lincoln’ and ‘Beyond the Green Fields’.

We meet regularly at The Royal Naval Club.  See venue details below.

Look on the ‘Events’ page for details of the next meeting.

Everyone is welcome.

We are delighted to have been associated with the wonderful ‘Birthplace of the Tank’ Memorial, which now stands on the Tritton Road Roundabout in Lincoln.
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NUMBER OF MKIV TANKS PRODUCED IN LINCOLN
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NUMBER OF MEDIUM A WHIPPET TANKS PRODUCED IN LINCOLN
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NUMBER OF MEDIUM C TANKS PRODUCED IN LINCOLN

Projects

We are involved in a number of projects aimed at raising the profile of the early tanks and Lincoln’s involvement in their development.

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We are undertaking the building of a scale model of the factory to show at functions and events, both locally and nationally. We would love to hear from anyone who could offer assistance with either expertise, or once again, information on the factory.
prestank
The Friends are compiling a database of photographs and information about Presentation Tanks and would be delighted to hear from anyone who has photographs or documentation relating to them. If you have any information then please contact us.

Archaeological Fieldwork

The Friends continue to work closely with the Great War Archaeology Group (GWAG), carrying out desk-based research and geophysical surveys of areas in the Lincoln area which were used for testing the Tanks during their development. Once again, we would be delighted to hear from anyone who has stories or anecdotes about the testing grounds or indeed Wm Foster’s factory itself. Preliminary investigation is also underway, together with GWAG to locate and excavate a Tank on the Western Front and, more importantly, trace the history of it’s crew.

A Geophysical Survey was carried out at Wickham Gardens Lincoln on 12 September 2009 to attempt to identify where the Presentation Tank was sited. Dave and Angie Hibbitt (Grid Nine Geophysics) conducted the survey (supervised closely by John May, Richard Pullen, Robin Wheeldon, and Chris Gresham!)

Tank trials in Lincoln

MINISTRY OF INFORMATION FIRST WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION (Q 14489) 'Little Willie' on Wilson-Tritton Track on test in Burton Park, Lincoln. 3rd December 1915. Copyright: © IWM.
"Little Willie" on Wilson-Tritton Track on test in Burton Park, Lincoln. 3rd December 1915.
MINISTRY OF INFORMATION FIRST WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION (Q 14495) 'Mother' or 'Big Willie' on test in Burton Park, Lincoln, January 1916. Copyright: © IWM.
"Mother" or "Big Willie" on test in Burton Park, Lincoln, January 1916.

 

Little Willie and ‘Mother’ being put through their paces on Burton Park. If you have any photos we can add to our gallery then please do get in touch through the Contact Us page.

Join us at

The Royal Naval Association Club
Coulson Road
Lincoln
LN6 7BG
Doors open 1900 for 1930 start
Ticket price £5.00 per person, available on the door.
Free car park at rear.  Licensed bar.