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Water Carrier for Mesopotamia

Lincolnshire is renowned for its agricultural history, but the birth of the 'tank' is less well known. Sir William Tritton, Managing Director of engineering firm William Foster & Co. and Major W.G.Wilson, of the Landships Committee produced the first tracked armoured vehicle 'Little Willie' in 1915. Further developments followed to the shape seen here and widely recognisable as a tank - a name derived from 'water tank' itself derived from 'Water carrier for Mesopotamia', an invented purpose intended to mislead German spies. "Flirt" is a mark IV tank built in Lincoln in 1917 and saw action at the Battle of Cambrai in November 1917. It is on permanent loan to the City of Lincoln from Bovington Tank Museum, it was extensively restored in the mid 1980s and is a popular attraction at the Museum of Lincolnshire Life.