100 Years Ago: British Tank “Fray Bentos”

In August 22 of 1917, the British Mark IV tank named “Fray Bentos” experienced the longest tank action of the war, being caught in battle for 60 hours.  Commanded by Donald Richardson, a wholesale grocer who named the tank after a brand of canned meat, this tank became trapped near enemy lines during the Third Battle of Ypres.  Despite almost all the crew being wounded, they were able to fight off repeated attacks by German forces.  Eventually, with the crew out of water, they decided to risk an escape, running back to British lines.  Remarkably, during the entire period of the action, only one crew member was killed.  The crew of the Fray Bentos would be awarded for their bravery, becoming the most highly decorated tank crew of the war.

Of course, there is much more to this story.  Fortunately, several articles have appeared recently marking the centenary of this tank and her brave crew.  Click on the links below to find out more of this story.

The Tank Museum – Tank 100 – Trapped: The Story of Fray Bentos

The Telegraph – The Siege of Fray Bentos: the World War One tank heroes who survived 72 hours trapped in No Man’s Land

Daily Echo – The incredible story of tank ‘Fray Bentos’ is being told at the Tank Museum