M4A2E8 HVSS Sherman tank, Swift Current, Saskatchewan, need service history

[Harold Skaarup]

I received a note from Andy and would like to ask for your help to answer his question:
"The Sherman at Swift Current is in danger of getting sold by the city to an as yet unknown buyer. Is there any way we can find out this Tanks service history to try and put a case together for it's preservation".

The data I have for this tank is: M4A2E8 HVSS Sherman Medium Tank with 76-mm Gun, (Serial No. 64990), built by Fisher, Reg. No. 30122969. This tank is dedicated to the 14th Hussars, Recreational Centre Memorial, 6th Ave & Sidney St East, Swift Current, Saskatchewan.

[rob love]

Surprising that a City can sell something like that, although I know that is has been done. Does ownership not remain with DSAL or were they actually sold or given outright to the various legions and cities? My understanding was that this one was in front of the armouries in Swift Current until it closed.

Perhaps in 40 years collectors will be buying the M109s, M113s, C1 howitzers, and LAVs that are being dispersed across the country.

[maple_leaf_eh]

A hundred and fifty years ago when I did recruiting in Regina, we were sent to Speedy Creek to screen Saskatchewan Dragoon recruits for a planned reopened Troop or Squadron. I recall meeting an applicant who had been in the old armoured unit before it was shut down in the 60's. He wanted to rejoin. After a couple decades of farming, he still thought himself healthy enough to give it a go.

The story he told (and what I remember) was the CO and staff saw their role in the community as trainers and spreaders-of-military-skills. The now middle aged man had joined up, done Basic and trades training, and had a year of small unit experience in the armoury. Which I recall was north of the centre of town on a little hillside west of some main road. Nice place, eventually ceded to the city like many other small town armouries.

After some decent interval, his training and military exposure were deemed sufficient, and he was released. His instructions were to encourage others to join up, to keep himself ready if the nation needed his services, and to always honour his unit. (I guess the family reputation of that Colonel has been somewhat smudged with the passage of time. Don't know why.)

So if his Worship the Mayor wants to sell the "old tank" he is dishonouring the service of hundreds and thousands of young men and women constituents.

[maple_leaf_eh]

I read about this program today at lunch on my Twitter feed. I have the Min of Veterans Affairs' feeds, and this was todays!

Application rules -

http://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/rememb...y-war-memorial

Program guidelines -

http://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/rememb...ial/guidelines

The final report format -

http://www.veterans.gc.ca/pdf/rememb...ity-report.pdf

[rob love]

Thanks for the link Terry. There was a small town nearby that was looking at transferring one of it's WW1 war trophies as they did not have the resources to provide upkeep. Just getting the wheelwright to redo the wheels can run three to four thousand. I'll pass the links on.

[45jim]

On Ram Tank, this vehicle is listed as PCC Mar 64, Mar 64 COD and May 65 COD. The comment on the listing is that the status "COD" is condemned.

http://www.ramtank.ca/postwar%20sherman.htm

I don't see much information there regarding the units that operated this particular tank. Perhaps the author of the book on postwar Sherman's may provide more insight. Rod Henderson, could probably be contacted through Clive Law.

With the plaque on the vehicle already you don't need much of a case to prove this is a historical artifact worthy of preservation. There is money available for a pad, sandblast and repaint and perhaps even a re-dedication of the memorial. The biggest hurdle is normally getting a champion in the City to ramrod it and finding a suitable place to display it. No doubt there are hordes of people who want things like this removed and scrapped lest they trigger negative memories for refugees, flower children and despondent Clinton/Sanders supporters.

[Michael R.]

The Sherman Tank
A demilitarized Sherman Tank was brought to Swift Current in 1971 from the Canadian Forces Base in Calgary.* It was put on display outside the former armoury building. Sherman tanks had played an important role in the military life in this area, with four of them being used by the Hussars for training purposes from 1955-1965.* The 31 ton machine was to serve as a lasting memorial of the Second World War, and its use by the 14th Canadian Hussars.* It was officially dedicated to the 8th Recce and 14th Canadian Hussars in a ceremony held on D-day in 1995.

http://www.swiftcurrent.ca/divisions...-swift-current

[maple_leaf_eh]

Originally Posted by Michael R.

The Sherman Tank
A demilitarized Sherman Tank was brought to Swift Current in 1971 .....

http://www.swiftcurrent.ca/divisions...-swift-current

The funding for a lot of these little local histories was from a share of the lottery and gaming revenues. In the 90s the province took half the proceeds, and the rest split between sport, recreation and culture groups.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Not much in particular, but in general:

Tank, Combat, Full Tracked, 76 mm Gun, M4A2

In 1946 the Royal Canadian Corps was equipped with 300 M4A2(76)W HVSS Shermans, bought from the US for $1,460.00 each. They were used for training only. After being replaced by Centurions, the Shermans were passed down to various Militia regiments.
The Lord Strathcona's Horse Regiment which served in Korea used M4A3(76)W HVSS Shermans supplied by the USA.

from my webpage: http://www.mapleleafup.nl/g104/cdn.htm

[Ryan Harriman]

Are you sure this information is correct? We were speaking to them a week or so about it and they said the city had no plans of selling the monument and the consider it to be a permanent fixture.

Ryan

Originally Posted by Harold Skaarup

I received a note from Andy and would like to ask for your help to answer his question:
"The Sherman at Swift Current is in danger of getting sold by the city to an as yet unknown buyer. Is there any way we can find out this Tanks service history to try and put a case together for it's preservation".

The data I have for this tank is: M4A2E8 HVSS Sherman Medium Tank with 76-mm Gun, (Serial No. 64990), built by Fisher, Reg. No. 30122969. This tank is dedicated to the 14th Hussars, Recreational Centre Memorial, 6th Ave & Sidney St East, Swift Current, Saskatchewan.

[Michael R.]

The Office of the Mayor, City of Swift Current, Saskatchewan, Canada advises the information suggesting this Sherman is about to be sold is false.

[maple_leaf_eh]

Good! At least we have discussed a few programs and activities available to keep the Sherman in presentable condition.

[Michael R.]

Originally Posted by maple_leaf_eh

Good! At least we have discussed a few programs and activities available to keep the Sherman in presentable condition.

Yes. The City will be looking at the links you posted, Terry, with the hope to get some support for refreshing the Sherman appearance.

[Michael R.]

It appears this Sherman is serial number S 64990, with a DND CFR of (45) 78-947.
The Service Publications Ram site shows this tank with three entries for use:
March 1952: KOCR, Stettler
April 1963: KOCR, Calgary
May 1965: Alberta Area Pool

I wonder if anyone has some pictures of 78-947 from the 1946-1971 period?