It was at the Battle of Flers-Courcelette on the Somme, in September 1916, that tanks first went into action. If there is an originator of the tank it was Lt Col (later Major-General) Sir Ernest ...

HORACE LESLIE BIRKS: This was the first time I had actually commanded a tank in action, and I was petrified. I hoped the whole way up that I should sprain my ankle or something like that ...