The 92nd anniversary of Deborah’s destruction in the Battle of Cambrai

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DEBORAH D51: NOVEMBER 20th, 2009

The 92nd anniversary of Deborah’s destruction in the Battle of Cambrai will be marked by an historic and unprecedented event in the village of Flesquieres.

Families of most of the key officers and men associated with the tank will meet for the first time - brought together by an extraordinary effort over the last year.

Researchers have established that five men died when Deborah was shelled – not four as was widely believed – and they have traced relatives of four of the five dead crewmen.

Two of the families are expected on November 20th, to remember Lance Corporal George Foot DCM and Private Frederick Tipping. Descendants of two other casualties, Private William Galway and Private Joseph Cheverton, have been traced but are unable to attend.

Family members are also expected to represent:

• 2/Lt Frank Gustave Heap MC, Deborah’s Commander on November 20th

• Lance Corporal David Marsden, who almost certainly was one of the two survivors

• 2/Lt George Ranald MacDonald, Deborah’s previous commander, injured at the Third Battle of Ypres in August, 1917

• Captain Alfred Enoch, section commander, who wrote a letter of condolence to George Foot’s father, and

• Major Theodore Wenger, responsible for burying Deborah after the battle

There will be a ‘Flame of Memory’ at Flesquieres Hill cemetery, a short service in Flesquieres church, and a reception at the Salles des Fetes.

For more details, contact Philippe Gorczynski : visite.org@tank-cambrai.com