The Holy Roller Memorial will be placed in its original location in Victoria Park at approximately 12 p.m. on May 31, 2022.
The Holy Roller, one of only two Canadian Military Sherman tanks to have crossed the beaches of Normandy, France on D-Day and survived until Victory in Europe Day, VE-Day, was gifted to the City of London in June 1949 to commemorate the sacrifice made by members of the 1st Hussars during the Second World War. It was moved to Victoria Park in May 1956.
The tank participated in 14 major battles during World War II, including Operation Veritable and Operation Blockbuster.
Holy Roller Preservation Project
In 2021, Holy Roller was removed from Victoria Park and brought to Fanshawe College as part of the Holy Roller Preservation Project to repair the effects of exposure to the elements and to preserve it for the future. The tank will be returned to Victoria Park in time for the 150th anniversary of the 1st Hussars.
As part of this project, the Holy Roller was disassembled, parts were refurbished or replaced and the body was sandblasted and repainted. The site in Victoria Park was also reworked to include a new base pad, benches and a plaque.
Road Closure: Central Avenue between Richmond Street and Wellington Street
Beginning at 7 a.m. on May 31, Central Avenue, between Richmond Street and Wellington Street, will be closed to all road users until approximately 4 p.m. This closure is to allow for the return of the Holy Roller Memorial to Victoria Park.
Signage has been placed in the area to notify drivers and cyclists about the road closure.
Road users traveling through this area should expect delays while this work is underway. Motorists can plan ahead using a web site such as Waze or Google Maps.
Renew London: https://maps.london.ca/renewlondon?id=46515
