NARRATIVE HISTORY OF 'G' AND 7TH TANK BATTALION

Originally raised in December 1916 as 'G' Battalion of the Heavy Branch, Machine Gun Corps (later the Tank Corps), the unit was redesignated the 7th Tank Battalion in January 1918 following the introduction of a numerical system. Despite this change, the battalion preserved its original traditions, notably the practice of naming individual tanks with the initial letter 'G.'For example, 7th Battalion tanks bore names like Gladiator, Grasshopper, and Gordon. The battalion played a significant role in major engagements on the Western Front, including Cambrai (1917), the Third Battle of Ypres (Passchendaele), and the final Allied offensives of 1918, providing support to Canadian and American formations during operations such as the capture of Bourlon Wood.The study documents the battalion’s principal operations on the Western Front, including actions in the Ypres Salient (1916); St. Julien (19 August 1917); the First Battle of Cambrai (November 1917); the operations for the capture of Bapaume (August-September 1918); and the Second Battle of Cambrai (September-October 1918). Sketch maps, a Roll of honour, and a list of honours and awards to all ranks complete this useful concise history.