1st Hussars Honour D-Day heroes at Holy Roller Memorial in Victoria Park

Ahead of the 81st anniversary of the D-Day invasion, the 1st Hussars Regiment Association held a public memorial, CTV London's Reta Ismail has the details.

Ahead of the 81st anniversary of the D-Day invasion, (which will take place on June 6) the 1st Hussars Regiment Association held a public memorial next to the Holy Roller tank in Victoria Park on Sunday.

“On June 6, 1944, 14,000 Canadians landed that day. There were, 39 squadrons of (Canadian) airplanes,” explained Joe Murray, a retired Lieutenant Colonel with the 1st Hussars Regiment Association.

“The 1st Hussars led the way on D-Day, we landed amphibious tanks, we landed, generally speaking, ahead of the infantry,” explained Lt. Col. Murray. “There were hundreds of Canadian ships at the end of World War two, we had over a million people in uniform from Canada. We had the third largest navy, fourth largest air force, and sixth largest army in the world.”

The names of 187 fallen Hussars were read during the ceremony, as wreathes were laid at the foot of the Holy Roller.

A parade to the sound of bagpipes marched through downtown to Victoria Park, where the Holy Roller has been on display since 1950.

“The Holy Roller was one of the two tanks that made it from D-Day to the end of the war, and we call it our last veteran,” said an emotional Lt. Col. Murray. “It was beat up, it’s scarred somewhat through battle, but it survived… just like the veterans who came back.”

The ceremony honoured all who served and acknowledged a change of command for the 1st Hussars.

Brigade commander, Col. Blair Ashford, says the 1st Hussars have roots back to the 1800’s.

“We just need to remember those that have served and didn’t come back. And it’s our sacred duty to remember that, because still our soldiers to go into danger today. And we need to make sure that they realize that we’ll remember them if they do fall.”

Also on hand for the memorial was the King’s Royal Hussars from England, who attended the ceremony for the first time in history.