A TANK crew ‘splatter’ face mask belonging to a corporal was recently donated to The Tank Museum.  

Walter H Stickler served in the crew of a Mark IV tank at the Battle of Cambrai during the First World War. 

On November 20, 1917, the world’s first combined arms battle involving tanks took place at Cambrai in France.  

It was during this battle that ‘splatter’ masks were first used, designed to protect tank crew from the hot metal shrapnel caused by enemy fire. 

Corporal Stickler was a gunner in one of the Mark IV tanks at the Battle of Cambrai and received the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) for his part in the action. 

His award said: “For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in the operation near Marcoing on November 20, 1917.  

“When his tank came under fire of an enemy field battery at a range of 100 yards this NCO continued to fire his 6-pndr gun, despite the fact that the tank had received a direct hit and was in flames.  

“He himself silenced one enemy gun with a direct hit. Throughout the whole operations he set a splendid example to his crew.” 

Stuart Wheeler, historian at The Tank Museum said: “Donated items like this are important in helping us understand what conditions were like inside the first tanks used in battle, as well as telling the personal stories of the men who served in them. 

“The narrow eye slits and chainmail would have added a medieval menace to what was already a de-humanising experience.” 

Visitors to The Tank Museum in Bovington can see a ‘splatter’ mask belonging to Sydney Hadley, a commander in a Mark V tank during the Second Battle of Cambrai in 1918, in Tank Men, one of the museum’s powerful exhibitions which bring the story of tanks and tank crews to life.