Birth of the tanks brought to life in Lincoln fundraising documentary

A new documentary delving into Lincoln’s role in the creation of the tank, 100 years ago, has been launched in a mission to raise funds for a city memorial.

The 40-minute documentary Birth of the Tanks, which was produced, filmed and edited by Andy Blow of Blow by Blow Productions, was launched on Thursday, November 13.

DVD copies are available at £12.99 (with £10 of bonus cards for world of tanks players) from the project web page and the programme can also be streamed online at a cost of £2.50.

DVD viewers also get the remarkable WW1 story (55 minutes) of soldier, pilot and flying instructor Dennis “Jimmy” Glover, who went from the trenches to the skies above.

All donations from sales will go towards a £60,000 memorial which is being organised by the Lincoln Tank Memorial Committee for a May 10 2015 unveiling at Tritton Road roundabout.

The new documentary, which casts a view back to early World War One, is presented by military historian and author Richard Pullen.

He explains how William Foster and Co of Lincoln and their innovative MD William Tritton evolved from making farm machinery to creating tanks – and how female munitionettes played an essential role.

Richard, whose own grandfather worked on the tanks, leads viewers on a Lincoln “tank trail” of sites associated with Fosters. The programme draws on film and still images from the period, treasured local collections, and family memories.

Andy Blow said: “We couldn’t have managed without the local ‘tank corps’ – members of the Memorial Committee and members of the Friends of the Lincoln Tank.

“These, along with other local collectors and the Museum of Lincolnshire Life, are the people who keep our industrial heritage alive.

“They have been so kind in giving us access to the various books, artifacts and images from the first war period that they have collected. =

“I am hoping that we can repay the city, not only by boosting the Tank Memorial Fund, but also by attracting tourists.”

Richard Pullen added: “I’m absolutely thrilled to be part of this production and to be able to tell the story of the tanks creation in Lincoln.

“We were fortunate that everyone we spoke to was as enthusiastic about the project as we were. From the surviving families of munitionettes, to the globally recognised World of Tanks, everyone was thrilled to be involved.”