Find out about Gainsborough's part in WWI tank warfare

Gainsborough Heritage Centre is hosting a talk about WWI tanks built in the town

Over the past four years the centre has explored and commemorated the loss of Gainsborough soldiers and the work on the home front of local factories such as Marshall’s and Roses.

The first talk is by Richard Pullen on Wednesday, June 27 and will focus on the role of tanks during 1918, built in Lincoln and Gainsborough.

The talk, entitled ‘1918 Vindication of the Tanks’ will demonstrate the decisive role tanks played in the final year of the war and how close the British Army came to disaster in March 1918 during the Spring Offensive.

The second talk on Wednesday, July 11, will be given by John Steel and will be entitled, ‘Marshall Built Bristol Fighters.’

Marshall Sons & Co of Gainsborough won a large number of contracts to build military equipment.

These included military wagons, naval gun mountings, trench pumps and thousands of artillery shells.

In November 1917 ,the company won an order to build the new Bristol Fighter which was a British two-seat biplane fighter and reconnaissance aircraft.

The two talks will begin promptly at 7.30pm and entry to both will£4 with tea and biscuits available during the interval.

The centre is also excited to announce a special evening with Gainsborough-born author Margaret Dickinson taking place on Saturday, August 18 from 7.30p

Margaret will explain the stories behind her famous books and how she creates her ideas and researches for her novels.

Don’t miss this amazing opportunity to meet Gainsborough’s very own best-selling author.

This event will be taking place at the Weston Rooms on Hickman Street in Gainsborough.

Tickets are £6 and pre-booking is essential.

Would you like to volunteer at the centre?

Then we would love to hear from you.

The centre has many roles available with specific requests for tea room and visitor experience assistants during the centre’s weekend opening times.

Please get in touch.

Further details can be obtained about the Heritage Centre or events by emailing [email protected] or visiting the website at www.gainsboroughheritage.co.uk or calling 01427 610526.