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The young engineers from SETA have built the First World War tank from scratch under the guidance of their welding and fabrication instructor Ben Pearson.
SETA Apprentices have built the 10 foot replica of the World War I Tank to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme at a request of Friends of Stockport Cemeteries, to be displayed during First World War centennial commemoration.
WHY MARK 1 TANK?
July 1st is 100th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme.The first use of tanks on the battlefield was the use of British Mark I tanks at the Battle of Flers-Courcelette (part of the Battle of the Somme). This was a revolutionary major engineering and technical feat.
To acknowledge this historic event first year SETA apprentices have fabricated a realistic 10 foot by 4 foot replica made from mild steel plate of that type of tank.
THE BUILDING OF THE TANK
Stockport Engineering Training Association (SETA) Apprentices and staff drew up designs based on original drawings and spent many months bringing the scale model to life.
The most challenging work was done over 5 months under the guidance of their welding and fabrication tutor Ben Pearson. Apprentices developed and used fabrication and welding skills in the SETA Training and Skills Academy while on their first year block training. This was done at the same time as they were doing their other apprenticeship technical training and qualifications.
It should be noted that before stating their training the apprentices had no prior skills and experience in this field – which makes the final result that much more impressive.
The apprentices carrying out this project are employed by a number of companies who work with SETA Training. The apprentices include Nathan Shipstone and James Young of Cemex, Lewis Fox of Langfields, Mark Wickam of Carbogen Amcis and Farouque Adebiyi of Jacobs.
THE PRESENTATION
On Friday 28th October 2016 The Lord Mayor of Stockport handed over the tank to Friends of Stockport Cemeteries. Other special guests included representatives from the Army Cadets and The Royal British Legion.
REMEMBRANCE WEEKEND
The Battle of the Somme Tank model was built by SETA’s Engineering Apprentices to commemorate the 10
0th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme and was used by the Friends of Stockport Cemeteries during their Remembrance Weekend starting on Saturday 12th November 2016 through to the Remembrance Memorial Ceremony on Sunday, 13th November 2016 after which it took its final resting place with Reddish Army Cadets.
Thank you to Sheila and Bryan from The Friends of Stockport Cemeteries for giving us the honour of being involved in their Remembrance Project.