The Royal Tank Regiment Portrait Sittings

Lieutenant Batts Rory Lewis Photographer (2019) Military Portrait Photographer

Forged in the adversity of the First World War, the Royal Tank Regiment stands as the oldest tank unit in the world. Today, the Regiment is based at Tidworth and equipped with the formidable Challenger 2 main battle tank—an enduring symbol of British armoured warfare.

Pipe Major Royal Tank Regiment Portraits, Rory Lewis British Army Portrait Photographer (2019)

Soldiers of the Regiment are instantly recognisable by their black beret and black overalls, a tradition unique within the British Army’s armoured corps. The choice of black was both practical and symbolic: oil stains would not show, and the colour itself has become inseparable from the Regiment’s identity.

Returning to Tidworth after two years, I was honoured to capture a new series of portraits, photographing officers and soldiers across the full spectrum of regimental states of dress. Once again, I had the opportunity to photograph soldiers alongside the powerful Challenger 2, creating a body of work that speaks to both the technical might and the human character of the Regiment.

On a personal note, I felt immediately at home. Many of the soldiers hailed from Liverpool, with others from Glasgow—two cities united by a shared humour and resilience. The camaraderie within the Regiment was palpable, and it was clear that this blend of personalities fostered a strong, cohesive unit.

Trooper Millward Royal Tank Regiment Portraits, Rory Lewis British Army Portrait Photographer (2019)

Colonel Royal Tank Regiment Portraits, Rory Lewis British Army Portrait Photographer (2019)

Royal Tank Regiment Portraits, Rory Lewis British Army Portrait Photographer (2019)

Royal Tank Regiment Portraits, Rory Lewis British Army Portrait Photographer (2019)

Colonel Royal Tank Regiment Portraits, Rory Lewis British Army Portrait Photographer (2019)

Piper Bongartz Royal Tank Regiment Portraits, Rory Lewis British Army Portrait Photographer (2019)

Among those photographed was Lieutenant Batts, marking a historic milestone as the first female officer to pass out of Sandhurst in a combat role. Her portrait, alongside those of her fellow officers and soldiers, reflects the evolving face of the British Army while remaining firmly rooted in tradition.

These portraits form part of my ongoing commitment to documenting the modern British Army — honouring its history, its people, and the regiments that continue to shape it.