THE Barrow News on Saturday June 16 in 1917 reported the death of machine-gunner and tank driver John Palmer from Nibthwaite, a small rural community close to Coniston Water.

He was part of the secret world of the Heavy Branch of the Machine Gun Corps - later to emerge from the shadows as the Tank Corps with its potentially war-winning weapons which could crash through barbed wire and cross trenches.

His story was told in a talk on Cumbria in the First World given by Bill Myers at the Coniston Institute to the Coniston Local History Group.

The Barrow News article noted: "Mr Palmer, of Low Nibthwaite, has received official confirmation that his youngest son, John, has been killed in action.

"He belonged to the Heavy Machine Gun Corps."

The paper carried an extract from a letter to his parents from an unnamed "Chum".

He said: 'In November we were all transferred to the heavy branch, and it was not long before Jack's exceptional ability as a mechanic was recognised.

"He had a special course at a training school, and was the best instructor and driver the company possessed.

"Had all gone well, his promotion and decoration were assured on merit.

"As it is, our fondest hopes have been dashed to the ground, and we find it impossible to realise that we have lost the most valuable of possessions - a true friend.

"Our great comfort, however, is the knowledge that the end was absolutely painless and that he died as a Briton should - in the driver's seat, doing his duty."

The article noted: "To these fine words of esteem by his friend, we might that when a boy at home, and afterwards, he was always noted for his helpful, unselfish chacater.

"Before enlisting in September 1914, he was chauffeur for Dr Sturriage, of Kendal.

"He was 21 years of age and had served two years in France.

"Much sympathy is felt for Mr and Mrs Palmer and the family."

John Palmer died on April 11 in 1917 and is named on the Arras Memorial to the missing.

He was the son of Robert and Ellen Maria Palmer, of Nibthwaite Cottage.

The heavy branch of the Machine Gun Corps was formed in March 1916 and its men were the first to take tanks into battle.

They became the Tank Corps in July 1917 and later the Royal Tank Regiment.

His date of death makes it almost certain he took part in the tank attack on the village of Bullecourt and his machine could have been one of the pair captured by the Germans after being fired on by armour-piercing bullets.

The attack, part of the much bigger Battle of Arras, was due to start on the morning of April 10 but the tanks were delayed by bad weather and the assualt was postponed for 24 hours.

The order to delay did not reach all units in time, and two battalions of the West Yorkshire Regiment attacked and were driven back with significant losses.

The attack was resumed on the morning of April 11 but mechanical failures meant that only 11 tanks were able to advance in support of the infantry.

Some troops reached the German trenches but were forced to retreat with heavy losses.