Musical Box, 1918 and 2024

On 8 August 1918, the Medium A Whippet tank called Musical Box took part in the opening phase
of the battle of Amiens, tasked with supporting Australian infantry and cooperating with the cavalry.
The tank, commanded by Lieutenant Clem Arnold and crewed by Driver Willie Carney and Gunner
Chris Ribbans went on a ten hour rampage behind German lines, completely unsupported, causing
mayhem until it was finally knocked out in the late afternoon. This action has become part of the
tank regiment folklore and is rightly celebrated to this day. In November 2019 Tony Cook and Kevin
Jepson started work on a full scale working replica, building the world’s only functioning Whippet
tank from scratch using basic hand tools. The speaker joined the team in November 2021 and in
July 2024 Musical Box appeared at Bovington Tankfest to a rapturous reception, including from
decedents of the original crew.