1st Hussars and Holy Roller & Perry Kitson

[David Dunlop]

Perry.

I know you probably have a whole list of items on your plate in addition to what you are attempting to accomplish with Holy Roller. If the agreement of the Regiment was unanimous for restoration, do you feel the project would get a major boost?

My thought would be to feel out Art Boyle on the project. Show him all the photos of what Holy Roller looks like inside today. Explain to him that what is seen on the outside today is just a mask, hiding the neglect and decay inside the vehicle. The very insides where he and his crew mates worked and lived and it is difficult to understand how some in the Regiment can claim they respect what the crews of Holy Roller did, while clearly showing no respect or understanding at all of where they did it.

If Art is in agreement, then a presentation of those photos, along with Art, if possible, should be made to the Regiment, point blank telling those that don't get it that they need to rethink their position. I would give the Regiment the courtesy of that meeting alone, and if their response was not satisfactory, take it to the local media. November 11th is just around the corner. Its an opportune time, if it can be pulled together.

David

[Gordon Yeo]

Perry

David might be onto some thing about November 11 coming up. My first November 11 parade, with the Legion pipe band, was in 1970 and I watched the event diminish in attendance and interest until Afghanistan. That being the first major event where Canada saw the effects of war since Korea, it re-invigorated the publics interest in Remembrance. Could this be the time to use public opinion to help move the project along. Maybe some new and different buttons need pushing?

Gord

[r.morrison]

Well, one of the best Canadian Articles I've seen on this forum in a while. So Perry, you tell the regiment....and the city.....and that Premier you got there, to help out financially and convince the public to get it up and running. Start a fund drive. Let me be the first to throw in $100.00 to get the ball rolling. John's parts alone are priceless!!! Showtime! Robert

[Darrell Zinck]

Hi

Restoration aside, I met Art a number of times long ago and am sure he'd be approachable. MM winner for shooting Panthers. 1H has a gunnery trophy named after him.

I discovered that he was a pre-war RC Dragoon and passed some nice mounted photos onto the Regiment one time.

I once asked him about Le Mesnil-Patry. He said "Yeah, we walked back from that."

regards
Darrell

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Perry,

Re. your question "how many Fisher built tanks are still around, as monuments or runners", please refer to the following links:

Fisher-built M4A2's: https://usautoindustryworldwartwo.co...tankphotos.htm

Fisher built M4A3's: https://usautoindustryworldwartwo.co...tankphotos.htm

Surviving M4A2's: http://the.shadock.free.fr/Surviving_M4A2_Shermans.pdf

Let me know if this is of any help, else I will look for further info.

Regards,
Hanno

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Update:

https://lfpress.com/news/local-news/...ht-of-its-life

[chris vickery]

That’s great and hope the project goes well. Hopefully it doesn’t end up mired down in red tape or committees that don’t cooperate when it comes down to things like money....
Speaking of money, the price tag for the restoration mentioned in the article tags it’s at $500k plus. Sounds like a lot to me, especially considering the fact that they want to use as much volunteer labour as possible and donations from various sources.
As for the engine, well, I am certain that this has been abridge crossed before. Are they wanting an exact restoration or is this something that could have a couple Detroit’s put into it at a fraction of the cost?