This year marks the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War. To mark the occasion, the Argus has teamed up with an initiative commemorating the contribution of people from Gwent in the Great War. This column is

written by organisers of the project called ‘Journey’s End’, and its title reflects how many people from the region died in service. It is hoped efforts to name them all will be completed in time for the anniversary on November 11

IN JUNE 1918 there was great excitement in Newport at the visit of “Julian” -not a person but a tank.

Tanks had first been used on the Somme in 1916 and had achieved some success during the Battle of Cambrai in 1917. Aware that they had caught the public’s imagination, a number of tanks were sent to towns and cities around Britain to raise funds for the war effort.

Julian was unloaded at Newport docks on June 17 to be greeted by cheering crowds, who lined the flag and bunting bedecked streets as a procession led it to the town centre, where a large notice had been erected with a message of support from Lloyd George.

The procession was led by the band and 60 members of the Monmouthshire Volunteer Regiment. A special welcome was reserved for a contingent of about 60 wounded soldiers and a group of discharged soldiers. They were followed by the Fire Brigade, motor ambulances, nurses, members of the Women’s Land Army, munitions workers, Girl Guides, St John Ambulance Brigade, Boy Scouts.

Julian remained in Queen’s Square for a week and a tank office was set up to receive payments for War Savings Certificates. With the target for the week set at one million pounds, a special number –Newport 1000000 - was allocated for telephone pledges. Thousands of children marched into town to visit Julian and have their certificates stamped with a special tank stamp.

This ambitious target was not quite met, with the final total for the week reaching £855,141.