Stuart’s tank made it across the lines, and into the German-held village of Flers before breaking down and leaving the crew in a perilous position. There were many reports of Germans turning and running the other way.” She added: “Nothing like this had ever been seen before, it would have been like an alien had landed on the battlefield. Stuart Hastie was one of the first men over the top It meant the Brits had the element of surprise. Imperial War Museum North curator Charlotte Czyzyk said the tanks had been a closely guarded secret before they were put into action on September 15, 1916, at the Battle of Flers-Courcelette. They were conscious the infantry had no protection apart from tin helmets.” “Nevertheless, the ones in the tanks felt jolly lucky they had some protection. “There were fumes in the tank too, there was no ventilation. "They would have little burns all over their hands and faces. Stuart’s step-daughter Fiona Stark added: “He said it was incredibly noisy and hot and when the armour plating was hit bits of metal would come off on the inside, hot metal, and the crew would be showered with shrapnel. But I know it was an intense experience.” His daughter Kathleen Youle, 92, said: “He always said his was the first tank to go over the top, as others failed before him. Inside one, D17, was Lieutenant Stuart Hastie of the Highland Light Infantry. Others sank into mud-filled bomb craters.
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