Centurion Arrives in BC

[Ed Storey]

I just read the online news reports for this tank and someone really needs to get their facts straight. Both the Aldergrove Star and CTV are misreporting that this is last surviving tank with combat experience from the Korean War - which it is not. Also please note that the articles imply that Canada used Centurion tanks in Korea, which we did not.

It is nice that the tank has been shipped from one end of the country to the other but all the bluster, fanfare and chest pounding has resulted in the facts behind this AFV being misreported to the public. Please, now is the time to correct the errors before they become ingrained into the public lore.

[jdmcm]

Oh that Newby...what a scamp!

[rob love]

I had a look on Shelldrakes list of Nova Scotia monuments, and by blowing up the photo of what I believe to be this tank, the CFR appears to be 52-81190

[Dan Martel]

Originally Posted by rob love

I had a look on Shelldrakes list of Nova Scotia monuments, and by blowing up the photo of what I believe to be this tank, the CFR appears to be 52-81190

According to ramtank.ca there was no CFR 52-81190 but there was 52-81090 which I think that CFR actually is. The tank was a part of the second group of Centurions purchased all of which were sent to Canada.

Did anyone ever get a photograph of the actual vehicle?

Cheers,
Dan.

[Ed Storey]

Much like media and enthusiast reports, the trouble with CFRs painted on gate guardian vehicles is you can never be too sure about their accuracy. Perhaps the vehicle still has its brass data plate mounted on the inside of the hull as this will have both the CFR and the British WD number.

[rob love]

Originally Posted by Dan Martel

According to ramtank.ca there was no CFR 52-81190 but there was 52-81090 which I think that CFR actually is. The tank was a part of the second group of Centurions purchased all of which were sent to Canada.

Did anyone ever get a photograph of the actual vehicle?

Cheers,
Dan.

There is a fair gap between the two "ones" in the CFR, but the second one does not have the oval shape of the other zero on the photo. But it may well be what Ed says, that somebody interpreted the numbers incorrectly and applied them.



Did they stamp the CFRs on the hulls of the Centurions like they did to the ferrets or the M series vehicles? I can't check because the only centurions near me are the swiss cheese examples that are on the ranges.



The news story mentioned that this tank was dropped at the legion in time for remembrance day. Is that it's permanent location or is it heading elsewhere?

[Dan Martel]

Interesting armoured formation tactical sign on the skirt. The circle represents the third or 'C' squadron of a regiment. During the 70's and before the arrival of the Leopards, the armoured squadron at Gagetown was 'C' 8 CH. I wonder if that's where this tank came from?

Centurion BC 2019 11 10 (2).jpg

[Harry Moon]

While i don't know the pre range target history of this other than it is a mark that the British used. This centurian was pulled off of a range in Alberta in the late 70's by Vic Stephenson with 15th Field. They got it running but they stored it at the Seaforth's armoury on Burrard street. Unbeknown to vic and 15th field, the seaforths arranged something and in a trade it was sent to Cornwallis to be a gate guardian. Created quite a stir when it was discovered it had already been shipped out by rail. Cornwallis closed it stayed with a museum then got parcelled out to storage. It came up for availability a while ago and its to their credit they got CN to make an event of moving it here. After a cosmetic preparation it will be placed on an already prepared pad at the Aldergrove war Memorial on Fraser Highway.

[Aide Memoire]

Originally Posted by Dan Martel

Interesting armoured formation tactical sign on the skirt. The circle represents the third or 'C' squadron of a regiment. During the 70's and before the arrival of the Leopards, the armoured squadron at Gagetown was 'C' 8 CH. I wonder if that's where this tank came from?

Attachment 110177

Anecdotally...Gagetown apparently had it before Cornwallis got it, which might explain that. Subject to confirmation.

[James P]

Originally Posted by Ed Storey

I just read the online news reports for this tank and someone really needs to get their facts straight. Both the Aldergrove Star and CTV are misreporting that this is last surviving tank with combat experience from the Korean War - which it is not. Also please note that the articles imply that Canada used Centurion tanks in Korea, which we did not.

It is nice that the tank has been shipped from one end of the country to the other but all the bluster, fanfare and chest pounding has resulted in the facts behind this AFV being misreported to the public. Please, now is the time to correct the errors before they become ingrained into the public lore.

Seems the media just running with what they are told and the yarn spun about the tank, as they say if you are going to tell a story about bears.........have LOTS of bears in it.