THE outgoing director of a popular Dorset museum was honoured by a tank-pulling ceremony on his final day. 

Richard Smith OBE has been on the frontline at the Tank Museum in Bovington for 17 years – the longest stint as a director at the attraction. 

Sixteen staff members pulled a WWII Matilda II tank with Richard in the commander’s seat as part of the traditional send-off. 

Museum spokesman Nik Wyness said: “As the longest-serving director in the museum’s history, Richard oversaw the transformation of the Tank Museum from a Dorset curiosity to one of the leading military museums in the world.”

Dorset Echo: Richard hands over to Chris Price, currently CEO of North Yorkshire Moors Railway, who will assume the role of Director in January 2024. Richard hands over to Chris Price, currently CEO of North Yorkshire Moors Railway, who will assume the role of Director in January 2024. (Image: Tank Museum)

During Richard’s tenure, the museum saw a total redevelopment which doubled annual visitors and saw annual turnover increase from £1.6m to £6m. 

First visiting the Tank Museum at the age of two, Richard’s love of tanks was explored in his undergraduate dissertation on the Battle of Cambrai, which used the Tank Museum’s Archive extensively.

After graduating from Durham University with a degree in history, he spent 11 years working internationally for shipping giant P&O. 

He then returned to the UK to become director of the museum in 2006 and, in 2018, he was appointed OBE for services to military heritage. 

Dorset Echo: Richard Smith in the commander seat of a WW2 Matilda II during the leaving ceremony. Richard Smith in the commander seat of a WW2 Matilda II during the leaving ceremony. (Image: Tank Museum)

Nik added: “The staff are all extremely grateful for Richard’s leadership and support over the years. We wish him well in his next challenge - and look forward to welcoming his successor in the new year.” 

Richard hands over to Chris Price, currently chief executive of North Yorkshire Moors Railway, who will assume the new role in January. 

The tank pull has its origins in British armoured regiments when outgoing commanding officers would be drawn in a tank through the garrison gates by senior officers. 

The museum enjoyed a successful summer this year, with thousands of extra visitors booking tickets at a 100-year celebration.

The museum, in Lindsay Road, was recommended to be a museum in 1923 before officially opening to the public in 1947. 

Bovington has long been a training centre for tanks, becoming the UK’s main hub in 1916, before further bases were created in Swanage, Wareham and Lulworth two years later.