MORE than 280 soldiers from the Rear Operations Group of 2nd Royal Tank Regiment stood silently among the puddles of Salisbury Plain at a special Drumhead Service to commemorate the 93rd anniversary of the Battle of Cambrai.

A squadron of Challenger 2 tanks formed a dramatic backdrop against leaden skies as the men remembered their forebears in November 1917, who took part in the battle that heralded the first time tanks were used in significant force.

As they formed a hollow square around the upturned drums that acted as an altar their thoughts were also with their comrades from the Regiment who are presently serving in Afghanistan.

Major Nick Cowey, officer commanding the Rear Operations Group, said: “Ninety three years ago our forebears were most likely doing something very similar to what we are doing now - gathering next to their tanks in the field and remembering what had gone before and what lay ahead.

“We remember the high standard they set us, to always remain at the cutting edge of land warfare and to preserve above all else, manoeuvre.”

The Tidworth-based soldiers and some of their families who had come to watch the parade listened to 2nd Lieutenant Jun Sandeman reading Special Order Number Six, the order that was issued to all tank crews on the eve of the Battle of Cambrai: “Tomorrow the Tank Corps will have the chance for which they have been waiting for many months, to operate on good going in the van of battle.

“All that hard work and ingenuity can achieve has been done in the way of preparation.

“It remains for unit commanders and tank crews to complete the work by judgement and pluck in the battle itself.”