Iron Dragons: British Tanks in the First World War
Richard Marks
- Regions:
- South East, London, Essex, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Bristol, Wiltshire, Dorset
- Notice Period:
- Emergency (maybe less than one week's notice)
- Type:
- Professional
- Fee:
- Paid: £80 plus travel @45p per mile. Can also be run online
- Category:
- History
- Updated:
- 30th January 2026
- Tagged:
- Military History | World War 1 | History | Tanks
By 1916, the Western Front had ossified into a brutal stalemate, the great armies of Europe locked in trenches that stretched from the North Sea to the Swiss border. Commanders on both sides knew that simply throwing more men at the wire would change nothing. A radically new idea was needed—something capable of crossing no man’s land, crushing obstacles, and restoring mobility to a battlefield that had forgotten what movement looked like. This talk explores how that breakthrough emerged: the conception, development, and first deployment of a machine that would reshape modern warfare—the tank. We’ll trace how Britain led the charge in turning an improbable sketch into a formidable weapon, and we’ll bring the story closer to home by examining the experiences of the men who crewed these early iron giants. Their accounts reveal not only the ingenuity behind the machines, but the courage required to operate them in their raw, experimental infancy.
Views: 2171 | Enquiries: 4About Richard Marks
Dr Richard Marks is a freelance historian based in Berkshire, known for bringing Britain’s industrial past vividly to life. With a PhD in History from the University of Reading (2024), he specialises in industrial, military, and railway history, as well as the history of science — weaving together technical insight and human stories with compelling clarity.
His current research explores the forces of industrial and social change in the Victorian era, charting the evolution of Britain’s railways, canals, and manufacturing landscapes. Whether delving into the machinery of empire or the lives shaped by it, Richard offers audiences fresh perspectives on how Britain was built — and what it left behind.
A seasoned educator and engaging speaker, Richard lectures part-time at the University of Oxford and has taught a wide range of historical subjects to diverse audiences. His talks combine scholarly rigour with accessible storytelling, making him a sought-after contributor to heritage events, academic panels, and public programmes.
Richard's talks are suitable for different audiences and group sizes. He can adjust the length and format to meet your needs. His goal is to inform and entertain, and to leave the audience with a new insight and a desire to learn more.
Whilst Richard usually runs face to face talks in London and the South East, he is happy to discuss talks anywhere in the United Kingdom, and is more than comfortable with presenting over Zoom. Please feel free to contact Richard to discuss costs and options for any of his talks.
Richard regularly updates his list of talks as he completes research into a variety of topics, so do check back on his page to see what's new.
Richard mostly delivers talks in South East but has travelled further afield and is available to discuss travelling anywhere in the UK. He is also comfortable delivering virtual talks through Zoom.
Feedback from previous talks: "Richard had clearly done a massive amount of research and preparation. He is an excellent presenter very knowledgeable and engaging speaker. It was informative and thought provoking."
"I found the whole subject fascinating and wanted to learn more."
Other Talks on SpeakerNet by Richard Marks
- A Lot More than Spitfires; Behind the Battle of Britain
- Arrival of the Railways in Reading
- A Bombers Moon: The Equipment and Tactics of RAF Bomber Command during World War Two
- A Barber and a Surgeon: Medicine in Victorian Times
- Stephensons Horses: The Victorian Railways
- Trouble at Mill: Life in the Victorian Factories
- An Eclectic Extravaganza: Victorians at Leisure
- Chocks Away: The Royal Flying Corps in the First World War
- So You Think We Do Not Make Anything Anymore ? British Manufacturing in the 21st Century
- The Great Western Railway in Victorian Berkshire
- Munitions Workers in World War One
- Britains Railways During World War One
- Britains Railways During World War Two
- Munitions Workers in World War Two
- They also Served: Women in Britain's Armed Forces during World War Two
- A Germination of an Idea: The Suttons Seeds Company
- A lot of Bs: Industry in Victorian Reading; more than just Biscuits
- What did Aunt May do in the War? Munitions Workers in World War One for Family Historians
- What Did Grandma do in World War 2? Munitions Workers in World War Two for Family Historians
- The Royal Flying Corps in World War I for Family Historians
- The Royal Air Force in World War 2 for Family Historians
- The Royal Navy in World War I for Family Historians
- The Royal Navy in World War Two for Family Historians
- Football and World War One
- Britain's Railway History for Family Historians
- The Royal Air Force in World War 2
- Biscuits for Queen Victoria: The Story of the Early Days of Huntley and Palmer
- The Royal Navy in World War I
- The Royal Navy in World War 2
- The Western Front in World War One
- The Home Front in World War I
- More Than France: Why World War I was a World War
- A British Industrial Giant that Never Was: The Story of British Rail Engineering Limited
- Living in The Slums: The Experience of the Victorian Working Class
- D-Day: Operation Overlord and the Liberation of Europe
- Railway 200: The British Railway Revolution
- Railway 200: How Britains First Railways Changed Everything
- The World's First Steam Tramway: The Story of the Wantage Tramway
- Steel Fortresses: British Tanks in World War Two
- What the Victorian railway did for you...
- Victory in Europe. Victory in Japan. But what really won World War Two for the Allies ?
- Trams and Biscuits: The History of Reading's Tramways
- The Good, The Bad and the Sandwich: The Story of British Rail in the 1970s
- Deck the Halls: How the Victorians Invented Christmas
- From Cottage to Factory: How the Industrial Revolution Shaped Our Ancestors’ Lives
- Engines of Change: The Industrial Revolution and the Making of Modern Britain
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