Andy Moody.
On 8 August 1918, the Medium 'A' Whippet tank called Musical Box took part in the opening phase of the battle of Amiens, tasked with supporting Australian infantry and cooperating with the cavalry. The tank, commanded by Lt Clem Arnold and crewed by driver Willie Carney and gunner Chris Ribbans went on a ten-hour rampage behind German lines, completely unsupported, causing mayhem until it was finally knocked out in the late afternoon. This action has become part of the tank regiment folklore and is rightly celebrated to this day.
In November 2019 Tony Cook and Kevin Jepson started work on a full-scale working replica, building the world's only functioning Whippet tank from scratch using basic hand tools. The speaker joined the team in November 2021 and in July 2024 Musical Box appeared at Bovington ‘Tankfest’ to a rapturous reception, including from decedents of the original crew.
This is the story of early tank development, the evolution of armoured warfare seen through the experience of one tank, three brave men and how that legacy was brought back to life by a small team of enthusiasts.