'Frank Day and a spot of bother', Westbury, Wiltshire, 1941

Photograph compiled by Major Wilfred Herbert James Sale, MC, 3rd County of London Yeomanry (Sharpshooters), World War Two (1939-1945), 1941.

This Cruiser MK IV (or A13 MKII) tank of 3rd County of London Yeomanry (Sharpshooters) has shed a track. Although the Cruiser was faster than most Axis tanks of the time, its potential was limited by a relatively light two-pounder gun, thin armour and mechanical problems. The tank was used in France in 1940 and in the early part of the war in North Africa before being withdrawn from service.

The unit's initial road and rail move to Westbury in Wiltshire occurred at the end of May 1941. According to the unit's war diary, on 1 June 1941, the Sharpshooters numbered 40 officers and 589 other ranks. It was equipped with 22 Cruiser tanks (including Marks VI, V and VIa), 26 light tanks, 10 scout cars and 7 personnel carriers, along with around 65 soft-skin vehicles and 17 motorcycles. The 3rd County of Yeomanry undertook training at Westbury until mid-August. It then moved to Avonmouth and embarked on the voyage to North Africa.

From an album containing 620 photographs compiled by Major W H J Sale, MC, 3rd County of London Yeomanry (Sharpshooters),1940-1941.