HOLY ROLLER - was it a post war name?

[Perry Kitson]

Jack,

There is a lot of research going on in London right now on "Holy Roller". Attached is a 1945 London Free Press article interveiwing LCol. F. White, who was 2IC of the regiment on D-Day. He describes how he wanted to name the tank "Hairless Joe", but was out voted for "Holy Roller", all before D-Day.
More confusion on turret marking of a "9" in a diamond when the tank was returned to London in 1946. HQ tanks would have been marked 1 to 4 as you noted.
The regiment had 63 tanks knocked out in the first 6 days of fighting, having received 23 replacements on June 9/10.

[Jack Geratic]

Perry, thanks so much for sorting that out. If Mr Skaarup replies to my email, I will have let him know he needs to adjust the wording of his article.

Thanks too for the newspaper clipping, and what a coincidence that Timmins is mentioned, as I'm from there too.

I've also wondered about that huge red 9 on the turret sides. The only 1946 photo I've seen is the one published in the Hussar book from the museum. No turret numbers, but just as bizarre are the two B squadron markings sported on the left side of the turret.


regards,
Jack