The first armoured personnel carrier.
The Mark IX was designed to solve the problem of moving infantry across the battlefield with the fighting tanks. The further tanks advanced during an attack, the further the infantry had to go to keep up with them – often over very difficult ground under continuous enemy fire.
Manufactured by Marshalls of Gainsborough, the Mark IX was the first purpose built Infantry Carrier. Large doors replaced the gun sponsons, and there was space inside for up to 30 armed troops, with provision for them to shoot through loopholes.
As an alternative the Mark IX could carry up to 10 tons of stores, such as ammunition or fuel, or be modified into an armoured ambulance.
The Mark IX was never tested in battle. Of an order for 200, it appears 36 were built before the order was cancelled after the Armistice. Numbered from 901, our vehicle is 936. Only one tank was finished at the time of the Armistice, and they did not last long in post-war service. The concept of the Infantry Carrier was dropped until nearly half way through the Second World War, at least as far as Britain was concerned.
In November 1918 one Mark IX was fitted with buoyancy equipment and tested on Hendon Reservoir, making it the first amphibious tank.
The Museum’s Mark IX
Though an initial order for 200 vehicles was placed, it appears that only 36 were built – with our vehicle being the only surviving example.
