Cromwell Mk IV of No. 2 Sqn, 2 (Armd Recce) Bn, Welsh Guards, at Pickering Yorks, 31 March 1944; IWM H 37167

Object description: A Cromwell Mk IV of No. 2 Squadron, 2nd (Armoured Reconnaissance) Battalion, Welsh Guards, at Pickering in Yorkshire, 31 March 1944, during an inspection by Winston Churchill. The tank is named 'Blenheim'. A textbook application of markings includes the unit serial for an armoured reconnaissance regiment (45 on a green over blue square), bridge classification marking, white/yellow squadron tactical sign and the formation badge for the Guards Armoured Division. It also has a red-white-red RAC flash on the glacis, rarely seen on Cromwells. Note the PLM mounting for a Vickers K gun on the turret. This tank was the mount of Major John Ogilvie Spencer, commanding No. 2 Squadron, and later killed in Belgium on 9 September 1944. Catalogue number: H 37167 Part of: WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION Production date: 1944-03-31 Subject period: Second World War Alternative Names: object category: Black and white Creator: War Office official photographer, Horton (Capt) Category: photographs