Hugh Elles

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Sir Hugh Jamieson Elles KCB KCMG KCVO DSO (1880-1945) was a British General and the first commander of the newly formed Tank Corps in the First World War.

He joined the Royal Engineers in 1899. He was General Officer Commanding, Tank Corps, France 1918-1919 and led the corps into battle at Cambrai in a Mark IV tank called Hilda. he is also credited with inventing "fascines" whihc allowed tanks to cross deep ditches [1].

After the war, Commander, Tank Corps Training Centre 1919-1923 and Inspector of Tank Corps at the War Office in 1923. He retired in 1938 his last post being Master General of Ordnance since 1934.

During the Second World War he was the South West Regional Commissioner based in Bristol and would have taken regional command of the resistance in the event of a German invasion and occupation of Britain.