Welcome to the third instalment of our monthly blog, sharing untold stories and highlighting the interesting and unusual items from The Tank Museum’s Archive and Object Collection.
The countdown to Christmas has started! As a festive tribute to the most wonderful time of the year, the team have delved into our Archive and Photographic stores to bring you some yuletide-themed items from our collection. Whether serving during peacetime or wartime, a Tankie’s Christmas isn’t so different from how we celebrate today.
Deck the Mess… The first stop on most festive to-do lists is to put up the decorations. It might only be a “posh tin hut” according to then WOII ‘Dai’ Mitchell, but that won’t stop 3rd Royal Tank Regiment’s Mess in Sek Kong getting a festive spruce up for 1951.
From the Collection of Major F.J. Mitchell.
What is Christmas without receiving Christmas card from loved ones? And if you can’t purchase a card, then make one! Here we see the beautiful hand drawn efforts of Harry, the son of Corporal Henry Harcourt Lewis of 50th Royal Tank Regiment. He sent this card to his father for Christmas 1943.
Now, time for the ‘Big Shop’. Vegetables, check. Poultry, double check. If you think your upcoming Christmas dinner shop is hard, you certainly didn’t have as many mouth to feed as Trooper Albert Rollings Dunn of 46th Royal Tank Regiment; in 1942 no less! Thankfully, it seems he was quite successful.
And the big day finally arrives. Here comes Santa Claus - in a tank! With the sleigh seemingly out of action, good ol’ St Nick hitches a lift with the Royal Tank Corps in Quetta,1937.
From the collection of RSM Edward Webb-Morris MM.
Have you been a good soldier? Make sure to thank Santa for his gift. Here we see RSM Santa Claus stopping by 1st Royal Tank Regiment in Cyprus, 1997.
With the unwrapping done, it’s time to engage in some hijinks, preferably in the snow.
British officer’s and other ranks enjoying Christmas in North Russia 1918 or 1919. And no, we don’t know what the broom crown is about. To be honest, it feels like one of those ‘You Had to be There’ moments.
One of the best things on Christmas Day is tucking in to some good food with good company. Here, soldiers enjoy a hearty meal and a moment of peace during World War 2. Trooper Frederick Simm of 2nd Royal Tank Regiment in Iraq, 1943.
Let it snow! Soldiers of 11th Armoured Car Company, Royal Tank Corps make the most of their Winter Wonderland, and proudly display their handywork in Razmak, North Waziristan.
At ease Snowman!
From the collection of Major Frederick Charles Phillips MBE.
And finally, what is Christmas Day without a celebratory drink? Or two? Or three…
How Trooper Ronald Lea of the 7th Queen’s Own Hussars and his friends ended the big day during their National Service.
