‘GEORGE DROVE A TANK DURING THE FIRST WORLD WAR’
Men, women and children thronged the streets of Walsall on 24 March 1918, to see the Mark IV tank Julian trundle through the market town. This battle-scarred wonder weapon had struck terror into German forces on the Western Front, and spectators were keen to witness its might and manoeuvrability for themselves.
Dignitaries gathered as the military band heralded Julian’s arrival. The event was part of the ‘tank bank’, a nationwide tour to raise funds for the war effort through the sale of war bonds and savings certificates. Children queued up to donate pennies, and towns competed to raise the most money. Over £2 million was donated – a vast sum for the time.
Driving the tank in Walsall that day was retired teacher David Stokes’ relation George Harrington, a decorated war hero whose valour could have been forgotten had it not been for David’s enthusiasm for genealogy.
“George is my first cousin
