The Ashford Mark IV tank

6 May 2026

A row has erupted in Ashford over the future of the town’s iconic World War I Mark IV tank, as local residents react with fury to proposals that could see the 108-year-old relic moved 150 miles away to Dorset.

The controversy began when it emerged that Ashford Borough Council is considering a long-term loan of the historic female tank to The Tank Museum in Bovington. Under the proposal, the Ashford landmark—one of only seven surviving Mark IVs in the world—would be relocated for professional restoration and display, while a high-quality replica would potentially take its place in St George’s Square.

The news has sparked an immediate and visceral backlash from the local community. Critics have branded the potential move "the most disgusting thing I’ve ever heard," arguing that the tank is not just a piece of metal, but a "symbol of the town's soul."

The tank holds deep historical significance for Ashford; it was gifted to the town in 1919 in recognition of the residents' immense fundraising efforts during the Great War. Unlike many other presentation tanks that were scrapped for metal during World War II, Ashford’s tank was saved, eventually becoming a Grade II-listed monument and a focal point for Remembrance services.

Opponents of the move argue that a replica would be a "hollow substitute" for the genuine artefact. "You can't replace 100 years of history with a plastic or fibreglass model," one campaigner stated, emphasising that the tank belongs to the people of Ashford, not a museum in another county.

For its part, the council maintains that the tank is in a fragile condition and requires expert conservation that can only be provided by specialists. Officials have stressed that no final decision has been made and that the primary goal is the long-term preservation of the vessel. However, the assurance has done little to quiet the growing "Save Our Tank" movement, as residents vow to fight any plan that sees the historic centrepiece leave its home.