Months after London’s famous Holy Roller was returned to Victoria Park following a year-long restoration, the World War II-era Sherman tank has been vandalized again.
Over the weekend it was discovered that a suspect(s) had taken an object and carved words onto the front of the tank.
While the damage can only be seen up close and it’s hard to make out what it says, it’s clear that the famous WWII tank has been vandalized again – and it’s something London Mayor Ed Holder can’t understand.
“Let’s imagine people would do that,” he told CTV News London on Sunday. “I’ve said it before you can’t fix shit and that’s it.”
Holder adds that while the Holy Roller will be repaired, there are no plans to move it to a safer location.
Damage is seen on the front of the Holy Roller Reservoir in London, Ontario, as seen on August 28, 2022. (Brent Lale/CTV News London)
This is the second time since its restoration in the spring that the icon of London has been vandalized.
In June, a 44-year-old man was charged with criminal mischief after he allegedly vandalized the tank with a grinder, causing $6,000 in damage.
In June 2021, the Holy Roller was removed from Victoria Park, where it underwent extensive restoration and repair at Fanshawe College, as years of wear and tear had taken its toll on the tank. In May, the Holy Roller was unveiled to the public after a year of restoration and returned to Victoria Park during a rededication ceremony.
The Holy Roller was one of two Canadian tanks that fought in World War II until the end of the war.
“It’s that it’s a sacred symbol for our city and one of our most respected citizens, so we have to honor it,” Holder says.
— With files from CTV News London’s Brent Lale
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