In 1918 Lieutenant Cecil Sewell was commanding a Whippet tank in France during the First World War. While his unit was under heavy fire, he leapt from his tank and ran through a hail of bullets to rescue comrades in a stricken tank. He saved their lives but died while trying to rescue a member of his own crew. The 23-year-old was awarded the Victoria Cross.
This is just one of the real-life tales of bravery and sacrifice retold at For Valour, a new permanent exhibition at The Tank Museum based at Bovington in Dorset. It features medals from pre-First World War to the present day. Teaching packs available. Tel:01929 405 096; Email: education@tankmuseum.co.uk;www.tankmuseum.org