Only by a bit more delving does the name become a person.īorn in 1890, Basil Henriques left Oxford University just before war broke out. In a way, ‘finding’ Coles was symbolic of many such men - a name on the memorial at the Church that was passed by on many Sundays by the congregation. Subsequent research identified Cyril Coles in one of the first group photographs of tank crewman which, together with information from the Census and War Diaries, enabled the Museum team to identify which tank he served in at Flers and what happened to Coles and the crew. This led Melissa Lambert, who discovered the photo, to draw the image to the attention of her sister Sarah Lambert, whose serves as Exhibitions Manager at the Tank Museum. A photo of Cyril Coles came to light at Skinner Street United Reformed Church in Poole labelled ‘Killed in the first tank attack at Flers Sept 15th 1916’. The story behind Cyril Coles’ inclusion in the Museum's Tank Men exhibition is almost as fascinating as the story itself. His memory was kept alive by his brother Donald Coles who, in 1925, named his only son after Cyril. After the Armistice, Cyril’s remains were relocated to the Bull Road cemetery to the east of Flers. It is likely that Cyril Coles was one of the very first tank crewman to be killed in action. The crew bailed out of the burning tank but enemy machine guns were already directed at them.Ĭoles was shot along with his fellow gunner and both were buried beside the wrecked tank. D15 was struck and disabled by enemy artillery. Coles’ tank went into action on 15th September 1916 at the Battle of Flers - the first ever tank attack. He is pictured in the front row of the one of the earliest photographs the Museum holds of the first tank men (see below).Ĭoles undertook just five months of training before travelling to France in August 1916 where he formed one of the eight-man crews of tank D15. He attended a Church near Poole Quay.Īfter conscription was introduced, Cyril enlisted in the army in February 1916 and went on to join the secret organisation that were to take the first tanks to war. The crew escaped unharmed.Ĭyril William Coles was born at Canford, Dorset in 1893, the son of a corn miller. There were some Germans in the dugouts and I shall never forget the looks on their faces when they emerged and saw my tank.’Īfter this initial success, Daredevil was hit by artillery fire and knocked out.
‘I managed to get astride one of the German trenches in front of the wood and opened fire. Mortimore was tasked to attack enemy strongpoints at Delville Wood and then provide support for the assault on the village of Flers. I’d been very frightened indeed, both before and after the day, but on that particular morning the whole thing seemed unreal, besides which we all had the utmost confidence in our new weapon - the tank.’ ‘Looking back on it, I don’t think I was frightened. Like other recruits to the new tank unit, he was entering a complete unknown. Mortimore, known as ‘Morty’, was 23 years old when he commanded his Mark I tank at the Battle of Flers Courcelette.
This was the first tank in history to see action on a battlefield. on 15th September 1916, Lieutenant Harold Mortimore led his tank Daredevil across No Man’s Land.