'Making monuments come back to life': Sneak peek into Holy Roller preservation
Fanshawe College and the 1st Hussars Association of London opened their doors Thursday for a sneak peek into the ongoing work to preserve the Holy Roller memorial.
“Fanshawe was very good in becoming our hosts, they are providing the facility, tools, they’re providing technical assistance and the staff and students are volunteering to help…they’ll have something they can treasure for the rest of their lives,” says retired lieutenant-colonel Ian Haley, project director of the Holy Roller preservation.
On Thursday, Fanshawe students were operating a virtual reality (VR) headset to get a look inside the tank, while being outside of it.
“We actually created scans inside of the tank…we went inside and took pictures…we use a camera that is normally used in real estate, taking videos of houses. But we changed that and decided to put it in a tank….it is really cool using the VR to move around,’ says broadcasting television program student at Fanshawe College, Emma Wilson.
Emma Wilson uses a virtual reality headset to looks inside the Holy Roller as it is being restored at Fanshawe College in London, Ont., Thursday, July 29, 2021. (Jordyn Read / CTV News)
Emma Wilson uses a virtual reality headset to looks inside the Holy Roller as it is being restored at Fanshawe College in London, Ont., Thursday, July 29, 2021. (Jordyn Read / CTV News)
Peter Devlin, president of Fanshawe College, is happy to call a portion of the college Holy Roller’s temporary home. He says the impact will be huge for students.
“The Holy Roller project is unlocking potential from students from a host of different programs who all make this monument come back to life in such a powerful way.”
The famous Holy Roller was removed from its spot in Victoria Park on June 8.
James McNeil, a turret vehicle technician, says the tank held a five-person crew and was originally set up as a command tank for the commanding officer.
McNeil is assisting with the interior and exterior preservation, by taking out the tank's accessories like its cannon and brackets.
“This is a preservation, everything including the bins will come out so we can strip it right down, a special epoxy will be going on it to prevent rust.”
The inside of the Holy Roller Sherman tank is seen in London, Ont. on Thursday, July 29, 2021. (Jordyn Read / CTV News)
The inside of the Holy Roller Sherman tank is seen in London, Ont. on Thursday, July 29, 2021. (Jordyn Read / CTV News)
Holy Roller 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.
“As an old army guy, it is particularly rewarding, but what I marvel at is how enthusiastic the students are,” says Devlin, who served 35 years in the Canadian army.
“The Holy Roller from the 1st Hussars, who I might add, is celebrating its 150 years in 2022. That’s remarkable, it’s about celebrating 1st Hussars and students.”
The Holy Roller was moved to Victoria Park in May 1956.
According to the Juno Beach Centre, the 1st Canadian Armoured Brigade (CAB) was equipped with Shermans in time for the invasion of Sicily in July 1943.
The Canadian Armoured Division, training in Britain for Operation Overlord, had their Canadian-built Ram tanks replaced with Shermans in the months leading up to D-Day.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
There's actually no such thing as vegetables. Here's why you should eat them anyway
The rumours are true: Vegetables aren't real — that is, in botany, anyway. While the term fruit is recognized botanically as anything that contains a seed or seeds, vegetable is actually a broad umbrella term.
BREAKING Israeli forces seize Rafah border crossing in Gaza, putting ceasefire talks on knife's edge
Israeli tanks seized control of Gaza’s vital Rafah border crossing on Tuesday as Israel brushed off urgent warnings from close allies and moved into the southern city even as ceasefire negotiations with Hamas remained on a knife’s edge.
The Met Gala was in full bloom with Zendaya, Jennifer Lopez, Mindy Kaling among the standout stars
The Met Gala and its fashionista A-listers on Monday included Jennifer Lopez, Zendaya and a parade of others in a swirl of flora and fauna looks on a green-tinged carpet lined by live foliage.
'It looked so legit': Ontario man books $7,700 luxury villa on Booking.com, but the listing was fake
An Ontario man says he was charged more than $7,700 to book a luxury villa on a popular travel website -- but the listing was fake.
Noelia Voigt resigns as Miss USA, citing her mental health
Noelia Voigt, who was crowned Miss USA in November 2023, has announced she is resigning from her role, saying the decision is in the best interest of her mental health.
Putin begins his fifth term as president, more in control of Russia than ever
Vladimir Putin began his fifth term Tuesday as Russian leader at a glittering Kremlin inauguration, setting out on another six years in office after destroying his political opponents, launching a devastating war in Ukraine and concentrating all power in his hands.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.