1st Hussars and Holy Roller & Perry Kitson

[Perry Kitson]

A couple more...

[David Dunlop]

What a beauty that would be to restore as a 'living' memorial!

David

[David Dunlop]

While I think of it. Any known crew members still alive?

David

[James P]

Super stuff, lets see the tank given a full rebuild to running condition.

[jdmcm]

Perry

I have amassed quite a collection of Sherman parts over the last twenty years, I would be moe than happy to help the restoration of a Holy Roller any way I can if you get permission to get the old steed up and running...can't think of a better legacy

Regards
John

[Wayne Hingley]

Originally Posted by jdmcm

Perry

I have amassed quite a collection of Sherman parts over the last twenty years, I would be moe than happy to help the restoration of a Holy Roller any way I can if you get permission to get the old steed up and running...can't think of a better legacy

Regards
John

WOW... It would be awesome to see this all come together!! Good luck with pushing for a green light Perry.

[Perry Kitson]

Thanks for the offer John. I hope your health issue is sorted quickly with favourable results for you and your family.
The fate of Holy Roller now rests with the regiment and the city. I have been pushing to see it removed from the park and placed indoors as a "last" option, full restoration being the goal. Some in the regiment are firm in their belief that it is a monument and should stay as such. My argument is that it is slowly rusting away where it sits, and that as a living memorial, it will be around for future generations.
This tank landed on D-Day, and was the only tank of the regiment to make it all the way through the war. The First Hussars landed with 61 Shermans, and after the first 6 days of fighting, had 62 tanks knocked out, having received 33 replacement tanks on June 9/10.

David,
A veteran by the name of Art Boyle, who was once the driver of Holy Roller, still makes it out to the annual D-Day parade the regiment holds.