Monument record 1698/1/1 - WWI tank and guns, Abington Park

In 1919, a tank known as the Steelback was put on display next to the mound in Abington Park. A set of guns were also displayed to the south-west of the Abbey. Both are depicted on the 1925 Ordnance Survey map. After local objections they were eventually cut up and removed as scrap in 1935.

{1} Two military items depicted on this map as being located within Abington Park. An armoured tank is located on the SE edge of the mound set close to the western side of the park and a linear arrangement of 6 small squares located a short distance SW of Abington Abbey Museum labelled 'guns'.

{2} ...in 1919, a First World War tank was put on display in the Upper park (along with six field guns which were positioned outside the front of the Abbey) ... In 1935 the First World War tank and guns were removed and taken for scrap due to the irritation being caused by children playing on them.

{3} Notes that the mound of earth near the bandstand does not contain the remains of a WW1 tank. The tank, named the Steelback, was given to the town as a souvenir of WW1 "arriving at the park on Monday, November 3, 1919, after a troublesome journey. It, and a collection of historic guns, remained in the park into the thirties when, after a vociferous campaign by Quakers and pacifists, they were condemned as scrap. On February 6, 1935, workers arrived from Sheffield with cutting torches to chop it up."

<1> , 1925, Third Edition OS Map?, (unchecked) (Map). SNN43387.

<2> Adkinson A.L., Parks in Northampton, (unchecked) (Book). SNN43389.

<3> Burman, A., 2004, Still Growing into History, (unchecked) (Article). SNN104707.

Record last edited

Apr 28 2025 9:53AM