1st Hussars and Holy Roller & Perry Kitson

[Ed Storey]

Like James, I am not convinced that this restoration project is on the right track. The sad part is that there appears to be some serious funding available to do a proper restoration job yet no-one seems to have any vision other to once again park a historic military vehicle outside when the project is completed.

I just watched the videos and wish that the those who produce them would realize that most people have no idea what the inside of a Sherman looks like and pointing to rusty bits essentially means nothing. Likewise fancy virtual reality imagery of a rusted out tank is meaningless without a baseline to compare to. Again, homework and research is everything and so far I am not seeing any of that. I still have the impression that this is essentially a vanity project for everyone involved to pad their Linkedin and Facebook accounts.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Via Jordan Baker, no date given.

London, Ontario, Canada when Holy Roller was delivered from NWE.

2CD29D0E-F5A2-4752-811B-04D891D5A9AB.jpeg

[Bruce Parker (RIP)]

That's on Dundas Street in London, Ontario looking east. The armoury (now a Marriott Hotel) is seen down the street directly above Holly Roller's gun mantlet.

Here's the same location today taken from google.

[Bruce Parker (RIP)]

Oh, and looking at the guy in the driver's seat with the black beret and 19 set headset, and the scuff marks on the asphalt it looks like Holly Roller was a runner when Jordan's photo was taken.

[Jordan Baker]

Not my photos. Only found via FB posting by Steve Guthrie.

Here is the other one. Plus a newspaper clipping from Bill Miller.

[James P]

I wonder if the Otter on the road was a bring back vehicle also in the pic ? Looks like some sort of dog and pony going on. Those old school brick Armouries really look so cool and stand the test of time not like some slapped together concrete and glass building today. The pictures show the last of the glory days for the tank, running, original, complete, then the downward spiral starts till it is a picked over carcass plonked in a park to become play structure for kids, a shooting gallery for junkies, and a target for vandals.

[David Dunlop]

Can somebody explain the markings?

Dual bordered squares on either side of the turret and a single one centred on the back of the turret with the number ‘3’ in it?

David

[Bruce Parker (RIP)]

Originally Posted by David Dunlop

Can somebody explain the markings?

Dual bordered squares on either side of the turret and a single one centred on the back of the turret with the number ‘3’ in it?

David

Not me, and I thought I knew a thing or two about such markings. A few items make sense but have to wonder if some local troopers painted 'something' on for the city presentation, accuracy notwithstanding.

[Jordan Baker]

Originally Posted by James P

I wonder if the Otter on the road was a bring back vehicle also in the pic ?

Highly doubt it. There was approximately 100 Otters left in Canada for training purposes. The ones in Europe at the end of hostilities were declared surplus

[James P]

Originally Posted by Jordan Baker

Highly doubt it. There was approximately 100 Otters left in Canada for training purposes. The ones in Europe at the end of hostilities were declared surplus

I doubt it also but anything is possible. Which rises the larger question, leaving aside the Mowat shipment of captured equipment, what all did the Government of Canada bring back to Canada ?? Seems "Old Reliable" was a private purchase/shipment to Canada by SAR members was Bomb and Holy Roller returned at public expense or the same by private return ? Did Bomb and Holy Roller come to Canada together ? was there other pieces of equipment sent to Canada ?
Still sad to see short sighted folk treating this piece of Canadian wartime history like a monument to be parked outside instead of it receiving a full and complete restoration (and not some cosmetic do over) followed by indoor display.

https://sites.google.com/site/salhre...dron/halftrack