TANKFEST Programme

Johnson Beharry VC – Victoria Cross hero

Warrant Officer Class 1 Johnson Beharry VC earned Britain’s highest gallantry award for his actions whilst serving in Iraq in 2004. The then-Private was the driver of a Warrior IFV when his troop was ambushed by the enemy on two separate occasions. Johnson Beharry VC will drive the Warrior into the arena.

Survive History – What the Internet Really Wants to Know About Tanks

Survive History – popular YouTube documentary channel hosted by historian Louee Dessent – takes a deep dive into the fascinating, insightful, and sometimes bizarre world of tank history through the eyes of the internet. Louee will walk the audience through short, humorous clips from his immersive YouTube series that have sparked fierce debate among online tank fans. He will tackle some of the most pervasive myths and curious questions found in his comments sections—such as the truth behind the Sherman tank’s notorious “Tommy cooker” reputation, the reality of “Tiger mania”, and where you’d really go to the toilet inside a tank.

Lt Col Matthew Whitchurch MBE – Tank Mobility: An Attitude of Mind

Lt Col Matthew Whitchurch MBE discusses:

1. How mobility is as important as the weapons with examples
2. How the tank helps win in built up areas
3. How the small AFV remains very useful with many advantages

Will Ward : SAS Rogue: From the Royal Tank Corps to the SAS

Peter Weaver grew up in Dorset, joined the Royal Tank Corps after school, and trained at Bovington. Things did not always go well, and he was involved in a series of dubious business ventures before the war. His military career took off as a result of the war, resulting in secret work with the Auxiliary Units and then a move to the SAS. Parachuted behind the lines in France he was lucky to escape an SS ambush with his life. The talk relates some unbelievable anecdotes from a remarkable military career.

Hamish De Bretton-Gordon OBE -Tank Command: How the Tank Changed the Face of Battle

Former tank commander Hamish de Bretton-Gordon OBE offers a gripping and unique account of the evolution of tank warfare on and off the battlefield, telling the tank’s origin story on the battlefields of World War I, charting its primacy during World War II, and analysing its critical role in modern warfare, whether in the Gulf (where Hamish served) or on the new Ukrainian and Russian front lines.

Babcock – CRARRV Pack lift

Babcock will be talking through lifting a pack out of a Warrior with a CRARRV – whilst carrying it out in their Activity Zone!

Tom Carradine presents “The Great War Songbook”

“The Great War Songbook” explores the songs of the First World War and the remarkable stories behind them. Among the many tales uncovered are the sad fate of the lyricist behind Keep the Home Fires Burning, how two brothers, one a conscientious objector, wrote the most famous marching song of the war, and how a playground parody penned by a 12-year-old boy became a favourite in the trenches. A moving and informative journey through music that mattered, with plenty of sing-along audience participation.

Andrew May – Armoured Springboks in Italy

The 6th South African Armoured Division played a pivotal role in the Italian Campaign during 1944-45, particularly in the fierce fighting that followed the capture of Rome. Operating in difficult terrain that heavily favoured the defending German forces, the South Africans frequently led the wider Allied advance up through Italy. Join us to discover more about this remarkable fighting force, and explore the units and vehicles that defined the Division’s strength.

Mick Graham – You may ask yourself, ‘How did I get here?’

Mick has had a lifelong enthusiasm for military vehicles, especially main battle tanks—so much so that he joined the 4th Royal Tank Regiment in 1979 after spending almost 15 years in the Regiment and becoming a Gunnery instructor on Chieftain. In 1993, it was finally time to move on – but the memories never left him.

Operation Mother – The Search for the world’s first Tank

A brief history of Mother, highlights of the search project, and an update on future plans to search for her.

Will Ward : SAS Rogue: From the Royal Tank Corps to the SAS

Peter Weaver grew up in Dorset, joined the Royal Tank Corps after school, and trained at Bovington. Things did not always go well, and he was involved in a series of dubious business ventures before the war. His military career took off as a result of the war, resulting in secret work with the Auxiliary Units and then a move to the SAS. Parachuted behind the lines in France he was lucky to escape an SS ambush with his life. The talk relates some unbelievable anecdotes from a remarkable military career.

Mike Nicholas – Fire and Fury: Taming the Panther

Mike is an educator here at The Tank Museum. He is a military historian who specialises in the Normandy Campaign and the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879. He has presented historical talks for the National Army Museum and the Western Front Association.

Tom Carradine presents “The Great War Songbook”

“The Great War Songbook” explores the songs of the First World War and the remarkable stories behind them. Among the many tales uncovered are the sad fate of the lyricist behind Keep the Home Fires Burning, how two brothers, one a conscientious objector, wrote the most famous marching song of the war, and how a playground parody penned by a 12-year-old boy became a favourite in the trenches. A moving and informative journey through music that mattered, with plenty of sing-along audience participation.

Andrew May –

Armoured Springboks in Italy

The 6th South African Armoured Division played a pivotal role in the Italian Campaign during 1944-45, particularly in the fierce fighting that followed the capture of Rome. Operating in difficult terrain that heavily favoured the defending German forces, the South Africans frequently led the wider Allied advance up through Italy. Join us to discover more about this remarkable fighting force, and explore the units and vehicles that defined the Division’s strength.

Survive History – What the Internet Really Wants to Know About Tanks

Survive History – popular YouTube documentary channel hosted by historian Louee Dessent – takes a deep dive into the fascinating, insightful, and sometimes bizarre world of tank history through the eyes of the internet. Louee will walk the audience through short, humorous clips from his immersive YouTube series that have sparked fierce debate among online tank fans. He will tackle some of the most pervasive myths and curious questions found in his comments sections—such as the truth behind the Sherman tank’s notorious “Tommy cooker” reputation, the reality of “Tiger mania”, and where you’d really go to the toilet inside a tank.

Babcock – CRARRV Pack lift

Babcock will be talking through lifting a pack out of a Warrior with a CRARRV – whilst carrying it out in their Activity Zone!

Lt Col Ant Sharman – Great Britain’s Armoured Reserve

Lt Col Ant Sharman has been leading and training tank soldiers for a quarter of a century. He served on armour in Iraq and finished his regular career as the Chief Instructor for the Recce and Armoured Tactics Div. He was Commanding Officer of the Royal Wessex Yeomanry until 2025.

Operation Mother – The Search for the world’s first Tank

A brief history of Mother, highlights of the search project, and an update on future plans to search for her.

Mick Graham – You may ask yourself, ‘How did I get here?’

Mick has had a lifelong enthusiasm for military vehicles, especially main battle tanks—so much so that he joined the 4th Royal Tank Regiment in 1979 after spending almost 15 years in the Regiment and becoming a Gunnery instructor on Chieftain. In 1993, it was finally time to move on – but the memories never left him.

Lt Col Matthew Whitchurch MBE – Tank Mobility: An Attitude of Mind

Lt Col Matthew Whitchurch MBE discusses:

1. How mobility is as important as the weapons with examples
2. How the tank helps win in built up areas
3. How the small AFV remains very useful with many advantages

Lt Col Matthew Whitchurch MBE – Tank Mobility: An Attitude of Mind

Lt Col Matthew Whitchurch MBE discusses:

1. How mobility is as important as the weapons with examples
2. How the tank helps win in built up areas
3. How the small AFV remains very useful with many advantages

Lt Col Ant Sharman – Great Britain’s Armoured Reserve

Lt Col Ant Sharman has been leading and training tank soldiers for a quarter of a century. He served on armour in Iraq and finished his regular career as the Chief Instructor for the Recce and Armoured Tactics Div. He was Commanding Officer of the Royal Wessex Yeomanry until 2025.

Will Ward : SAS Rogue: From the Royal Tank Corps to the SAS

Peter Weaver grew up in Dorset, joined the Royal Tank Corps after school, and trained at Bovington. Things did not always go well, and he was involved in a series of dubious business ventures before the war. His military career took off as a result of the war, resulting in secret work with the Auxiliary Units and then a move to the SAS. Parachuted behind the lines in France he was lucky to escape an SS ambush with his life. The talk relates some unbelievable anecdotes from a remarkable military career.

Mick Graham – You may ask yourself, ‘How did I get here?’

Mick has had a lifelong enthusiasm for military vehicles, especially main battle tanks—so much so that he joined the 4th Royal Tank Regiment in 1979 after spending almost 15 years in the Regiment and becoming a Gunnery instructor on Chieftain. In 1993, it was finally time to move on – but the memories never left him.

Tom Carradine presents “The Great War Songbook”

“The Great War Songbook” explores the songs of the First World War and the remarkable stories behind them. Among the many tales uncovered are the sad fate of the lyricist behind Keep the Home Fires Burning, how two brothers, one a conscientious objector, wrote the most famous marching song of the war, and how a playground parody penned by a 12-year-old boy became a favourite in the trenches. A moving and informative journey through music that mattered, with plenty of sing-along audience participation.

Babcock – CRARRV Pack lift

Babcock will be talking through lifting a pack out of a Warrior with a CRARRV – whilst carrying it out in their Activity Zone!

Survive History – What the Internet Really Wants to Know About Tanks

Survive History – popular YouTube documentary channel hosted by historian Louee Dessent – takes a deep dive into the fascinating, insightful, and sometimes bizarre world of tank history through the eyes of the internet. Louee will walk the audience through short, humorous clips from his immersive YouTube series that have sparked fierce debate among online tank fans. He will tackle some of the most pervasive myths and curious questions found in his comments sections—such as the truth behind the Sherman tank’s notorious “Tommy cooker” reputation, the reality of “Tiger mania”, and where you’d really go to the toilet inside a tank.

Andrew May –

Armoured Springboks in Italy

The 6th South African Armoured Division played a pivotal role in the Italian Campaign during 1944-45, particularly in the fierce fighting that followed the capture of Rome. Operating in difficult terrain that heavily favoured the defending German forces, the South Africans frequently led the wider Allied advance up through Italy. Join us to discover more about this remarkable fighting force, and explore the units and vehicles that defined the Division’s strength.

Operation Mother – The Search for the world’s first Tank

A brief history of Mother, highlights of the search project, and an update on future plans to search for her.

Mike Nicholas – Fire and Fury: Taming the Panther

Mike is an educator here at The Tank Museum. He is a military historian who specialises in the Normandy Campaign and the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879. He has presented historical talks for the National Army Museum and the Western Front Association.