The tank, which was owned by Stuart Town resident and former Royal Australian Armoured Corps (RAAC) Lieutenant Colonel Peter Jarratt, has recently been sold to the 1st Armoured Regiment Association.

They have chosen to return the 1951 machine to its first Australian home, the Armoured School at Puckapunyal, Victoria.

To move the tank the 800km to its new home, an Army transportation team travelled to Stuart Town on Friday equipped with the necessary equipment to relocate the massive machine.

While Mr Jarratt was a little sad on Friday morning to say goodbye to the tank, he said he was pleased it was going to a place where it would be well looked after.

“I originally bought it because I live on a property and I was looking for something interesting to do,” he said.

“A friend had the tank and I was fortunate that he sold it for a reasonable price

“A couple of years ago the 1st Armoured Regiment Association rang and said they would like to buy it, but they had no money so they had to do some fundraising.

“Over the last two years I have kept it going and they have been raising the money and then late last year they rang to say they were ready to go ahead.”

The tank has a long history with the RAAC - it is one of only two Centurion tanks which were involved in fatal mine incidents in South Vietnam during the Vietnam War.

Following its return from Vietnam the tank was rebuilt and returned to Puckapunyal where it completed its career on a high note, forming part of the winning troop of the Paratus Cup in 1976.

At that time the crew commander was Peter Branagan OAM who was one of the sergeants in the 1st Armoured Regiment when Mr Jarratt was commanding officer.

Mr Branagan, who is now a major in the Army, chose to make the trip to Stuart Town on Friday to pick up the tank.

He said it was terrific to see it again.

“When I heard about it I was quick to volunteer to command the expedition to pick it up,” he said.

“I was the crew commander for the last two years of this tank’s service life so there is that emotional attachment.”

Major Branagan said considering the tank’s history, it was an important piece of machinery which would “help to keep the link going”.

“It’s not intended to be used as a memorial,” he said.

“It will get some limited use on parades and during ceremonial occasions at the Armoured School.”