Julian - Tank Bank
During WW1 Julian, a heavy tank, arrived in Leith and made its way up the Walk. Here we see Julian passing the junction of the Walk and Montgomery Street.
The purpose of the stunt was for people to get a better look at a tank and be encouraged to give more money into the war effort.
"Julian and its crew were delivered by special train to one of the two Leith Walk Goods railway stations, presumably the North British Railway station given that they came from Newcastle on, apparently, Sunday 6 January 1918. They were unloaded and ready for a prompt start at 9.30 on Monday. Julian drove up Leith Walk, York Place, Queen Street, and Hanover Street to the Mound, presumably beside the Royal Scottish Academy. This avoided Princes Street, except for a simple crossing at right angles, to prevent the tank’s tracks getting tangled in the tramway pits.
Civic dignitaries and savings organisers gave speeches from the top of the tank before Julian was opened for business, with the hatches on the back face of each "sponson" doing duty as bank teller’s windows."
Civic dignitaries and savings organisers gave speeches from the top of the tank before Julian was opened for business, with the hatches on the back face of each "sponson" doing duty as bank teller’s windows."
No comments:
Post a Comment