William Tritton

Sir William Ashbee Tritton, JP, (19 June 1875 – 24 September 1946) was a British expert in agricultural machinery, and was directly involved, together with Major Walter Gordon Wilson and Lancelot De Mole, in the development of the tank.

Early in World War I he was asked to produce tractors for moving heavy howitzers, the result being eventually the first tanks.

In 1906 he joined William Foster & Co. on Waterloo Street in Lincoln, and from 1911 until 1939 he was Managing Director of the company, after which he became Chairman.

On 22 July 1915, it was decided on the proposal for the tank – 28 tons, to cross a trench four feet wide.

World War I tanks were also built by Metro-Cammell of Wednesbury and a number of other contractors.

William Tritton next to the Foster agricultural machine ( French magazine Le Miroir , December 1917)
A Fosters' 1917 Mark IV tank at the Museum of Lincolnshire Life in January 2007, which saw action at the Battle of Cambrai (1917)
Blue plaque named after Sir William Ashbee Tritton at Tritton Road, Lincoln