Preserving a piece of military history

Preserving a piece of military history

London’s famed Holy Roller is at Fanshawe for much-needed preservation.

Seventy-seven years after moving inland from Juno Beach to support the 1st Hussars advance across Western Europe, the Holy Roller—one of two Canadian Sherman tanks to survive the Second World War—was transported to Fanshawe College in June 2021 to begin a year-long effort to preserve the memorial.

A fixture in London’s Victoria Park since 1956, the tank fell into disrepair with 50 per cent of the metal deteriorated due to exposure to the elements and the passage of time. In October 2020, the 1st Hussars Association of London began a fundraising campaign to raise $250,000 to preserve the memorial. Students and faculty from several programs across the College are engaging in the project through Signature Innovative Learning Experiences (SILEx).

During a summer work study placement with the School of Contemporary Media, Taylor Meloche and Emma Wilson used a specialized camera to create an interactive 360-degree view of the tank’s interior. When viewed with a VR headset, the images give viewers the spacial perspective of each crew member. “Experts explained that it’s difficult to appreciate the claustrophobic feeling of being inside the tank,” says Taylor, a student in Advanced Filmmaking. “The VR experience gives a good idea of what it’s like in there.”

Emma Wilson using specialized equipment to create 360-degree views of the tank.

During its 12-month stay at Fanshawe, volunteers will disassemble the 60,000-pound tank, refurbish or replace original parts and apply a protective coating to prevent future rusting inside the tank. The body will be sandblasted and repainted before being returned to its original location.

“We are truly grateful for the support we’ve received from Fanshawe, the donors and volunteers,” says retired Lieutenant-Colonel Ian Haley of the 1st Hussars Association of London. “It’s rewarding to witness the community pulling together so our veterans can be remembered through the Holy Roller memorial.”

The VR experience gives a good idea of what it’s like in there.

The fundraising campaign runs until June 2022. To donate and to learn more about the Holy Roller, visit holyrollermemorial.ca

The Holy Roller is seen being lifted from transport to Fanshawe’s Centre for Applied Transportation and Technology.