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Converted from my Grandfathers old 1/10 Battalion Manchester Regiment, a Territorial Army Infantry Battalion, converted to a tank unit,part of 24th Armoured Brigade in 1938 it was part of the Royal Tank Regiment, itself part of the Royal Armoured Corps. Known as the 41st (Oldham) Royal Tank Regiment based at the Drill Hall Rifle Street. A 2nd Regiment the 47th was formed in April of that year,as you can imagine the Drill Hall was not large enough to accommodate two regiments, to over come this they were billeted in two cotton mills,the 47th in the Further Hey Mill at Lees and the 41st at Earl Mill on Dowry St this mill I worked at for a good many years. A section of land belonging to Hegginbottoms Farm was also commandeered for tank training. Walter Mills tells a good tale of the early days of training when the regiment only had a Mk 6 light tank. The tank much to the delight of the local children was left to fend for itself at lunch time whilst the crew retired to the local pub for a spot of refreshment,and when they came out you could here them shout "Oy gerof that bloody tank" on their return Both Regiments played a big part in the victory at the 2nd battle of El.Alamein. Here are some photo's. 1, Photo of Earl Mill and training fields behind, would have looked the same in 1938. 2, A Mk 6 light tank. 3, A Valentine Tank of the 24th Armoured Tank Brigade 4,5,6, The regiment training in their new Comet tanks c1947-1949.