​​The DD Sherman tank, known as ‘Bold,’ was a crucial part of the Canadian forces' assault on Juno Beach during D-Day on 6 June 1944. This amphibious Sherman tank, part of B Squadron of the 6th Armoured Regiment - 1st Hussars, launched into the water at approximately 07:15 from about four and a half  kilometres off the coast, aiming to support the assault on German positions in Courseulles-sur-Mer. However, the rough seas and strong currents made the operation particularly difficult. While the tanks were designed to operate in roughly five kilometres per hour currents and challenging weather, the conditions on D-Day were far worse, leading to significant challenges.

​‘Bold’ was one of the many DD tanks intended to land on Juno Beach, but it sank before reaching the shore. As Sergeant Léo Gariépy described, the tank's crew was subjected to heavy small-arms fire. As they neared the beach, the tank was struck by artillery. The crew struggled to escape as the tank filled with water, and while some men were rescued by landing craft, gunner Ross Tofflemire tragically drowned.

​In total, only nine of the nineteen DD tanks in B Squadron made it to the beach, with ‘Bold’ among the casualties. The tank lay submerged in the waters off Courseulles-sur-Mer for years until a recovery operation led by Léo Gariépy. In 1971, ‘Bold’ was raised from the sea, restored, and placed as a monument in Courseulles-sur-Mer, near the Juno Beach Centre. There it stands as a testament to the bravery and sacrifice of the men who served on D-Day.

​Today, ‘Bold’ remains a symbol of the 1st Hussars and their role in the pivotal battle for Normandy, ensuring that the soldiers who fought there are never forgotten.