大象传媒

The tank was a new development during World War One.

Late in January 1916, a secret weapon was sent overnight to the grounds of Hatfield House in Hertfordshire. Political leaders, senior military personnel and royalty had been invited to judge its effectiveness for themselves.

Locals who were still awake could have witnessed the tank, known as Mother, travelling from the railway station to the park, under the cover of darkness. Organisers attempted to recreate a battle site on the golf course, digging trenches that would challenge the tank.

Most dignitaries, including King George V, were impressed with Mothers performance but Lord Kitchener wasn鈥檛 and left early. Lord Salisbury, the owner of Hatfield House, was sent a Mark 1 tank after the war as a sign of appreciation. It stood in the grounds for 50 years but now resides at The Tank Museum at Bovington.

Location: Hatfield house, Church Lane, Herts AL9 5HX
Image shows The Mark 1 tank presented to Hatfield House in 1919 as a thank you for the use of the land
Photograph courtesy of Mill Green Museum, Hatfield

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