Sir Arthur William Currie
December 5, 1875 – November 30, 1933
General Sir Arthur William Currie
Place of birth	Napperton, Ontario
Place of death	Montreal, Quebec
Allegiance	Canada
Service/branch	Canadian Corps
Years of service	1914 - 1918
Rank	General
Commands	Canadian Corps
Battles/wars	World War I
Other work	President & Vice Chancellor of McGill University

General Sir Arthur William Currie, GCMG, KCB (December 5, 1875 – November 30, 1933) was the first Canadian commander of the Canadian Expeditionary Force (a corps of four divisions) on the Western Front during World War I. Currie was among the most successful generals of the war; he is still considered one of the finest commanders in Canadian military history, as well as one of the most capable commanders on the entire Western Front. is the 339th day of the year (340th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1875 (MDCCCLXXV) was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... is the 334th day of the year (335th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1933 (MCMXXXIII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Image File history File links ArthurCurrie. ... This article needs cleanup. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... The Canadian Corps was a World War I Canadas soldiers in September of 1915 after the arrival of the 2nd Canadian Division in France. ... This does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... The Canadian Corps was a World War I Canadas soldiers in September of 1915 after the arrival of the 2nd Canadian Division in France. ... “The Great War ” redirects here. ... McGill University. ... This does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... On the Orders insignia, St Michael is often depicted subduing Satan. ... Badge of a Companion of the Order of the Bath (Military Division) Ribbon of the Order of the Bath The Most Honourable Order of the Bath (formerly The Most Honourable Military Order of the Bath)[1] is a British order of chivalry founded by George I on May 18, 1725. ... is the 339th day of the year (340th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1875 (MDCCCLXXV) was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... is the 334th day of the year (335th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1933 (MCMXXXIII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... 26th Battalion of the Second Canadian Expeditionary Force, 1915 The Canadian Expeditionary Force was the group of Canadian military units formed for service overseas in the First World War. ... Western Front was a term used during the First and Second World Wars to describe the contested armed frontier between lands controlled by Germany to the East and the Allies to the West. ... “The Great War ” redirects here. ... Canadian soldiers advancing behind a tank at the Battle of Vimy Ridge, one of Canadas greatest military victories. ...

Under his capable leadership the Canadian Corps won a long series of battles, fighting as a unit for the first time in a major war. They soon earned a fierce reputation as some of the most effective troops on the Western Front. The Canadian Corps was a World War I Canadas soldiers in September of 1915 after the arrival of the 2nd Canadian Division in France. ... Combatants Belgium British Empire Australia[1] Canada[2] India[3] Newfoundland[4] New Zealand[5] South Africa[6] United Kingdom France and French Overseas Empire Portugal[7] United States Germany Commanders No unified command until 1918, then Ferdinand Foch Moltke → Falkenhayn → Hindenburg and Ludendorff → Hindenburg and Groener Casualties ~4,800...

Early life

Arthur Currie was born in Napperton, Ontario^[1], and attended Strathroy Collegiate Institute in Strathroy, Ontario. In 1894 he moved to Victoria, British Columbia, where he first taught school and later sold real estate. There, he joined the army militia and over the years prior to the Great War he rose through the ranks to become his regiment's Commanding Officer. The Old SDCIs back The front of the old SDCI Strathroy District Collegiate Institute (SDCI) is one of two secondary schools in Strathroy, Ontario. ... For other places with the same name, see Strathroy (disambiguation). ... 1894 (MDCCCXCIV) was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... This article is about the city of Victoria. ... “The Great War ” redirects here. ...

World War I

With Garnet Hughes, son of the Canadian minister of militia Sir Sam Hughes, he was sent to Europe upon the outbreak of the First World War in 1914. He commanded a brigade at the Second Battle of Ypres in 1915, and by 1917 he had been promoted to general, the first Canadian to receive this honour during the war. Major-General Garnet Hughes was a Canadian military officer during World War I. Hughes was the son of Sir Sam Hughes, a Canadian politician and Minister of the Militia during the war. ... E.P. Taché ~1855-1860 John A. Macdonald 1860-1867 George-Étienne Cartier 1867-1873 Hector Louis Langevin 1873 Hugh McDonald 1873 William Ross 1873-1874 William Vail 1874-1878 Alfred Jones 1878 Louis Mason 1878-1880 Alexander Cambell 1880 Adolphe-Philippe Caron 1880-1892 Sir Mackenzie Bowell 1892 James... Look up sir in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Sam Hughes The Honourable Sir Samuel Hughes, PC (January 8, 1853 – August 23, 1921) was the Canadian Minister of Militia and Defence during World War I. // Early life Samuel pooes was born January 8, 1853, at Solina near Bowmanville in what was then Canada West. ... For other uses, see Europe (disambiguation). ... Year 1914 (MCMXIV) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Wednesday of the 13-day-slower Julian calendar). ... In military science a brigade is a military unit that is part of a division and includes regiments (where that level exists), or (in modern armies) is composed of several battalions (typically two to four) and directly attached supporting units. ... Combatants Belgium  Canada France Colonial forces United Kingdom British India  German Empire Commanders Horace Smith-Dorrien[1] Henri Gabriel Putz[2] A.-L.-T. de Ceuninck[3] Albrecht of Württemberg[4] Strength 8 infantry divisions[5] 7 infantry divisions Casualties 70,000 dead, wounded, or missing 35,000 dead... Year 1915 (MCMXV) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Thursday[1] of the 13-day-slower Julian calendar). ... 1917 (MCMXVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar (see link for calendar) or a common year starting on Tuesday of the 13-day slower Julian calendar (see: 1917 Julian calendar). ...

Battle of Vimy Ridge

Serving under General Sir Julian Byng, Currie was largely responsible for the tactics and careful planning that led to the unexpected triumph by Canadian battalions at the Battle of Vimy Ridge in April, 1917. One of his most useful innovations introduced at this battle ^{[citation needed]} was the creeping barrage, which consisted of troops walking just behind an advancing line of shell fire from Canadian and British artillery, shielding soldiers as they approached the Germans. In addition, constant practice and new troop organisation in which each platoon member was trained to carry out all platoon responsibilities, briefing of the frontline troops, the use of counter-battery fire measures and constant patrolling of the enemy defences all contributed to the effectiveness of the Canadian Corps at Vimy and for the rest of the War. Canadian Corps trained for 5 months in advance, and successfully captured Vimy Ridge within 3 days. Combatants Canada United Kingdom  German Empire Commanders Julian Byng Arthur Currie Ludwig von Falkenhausen Strength 200,000 Unknown Casualties 3,598 dead, 7,004 wounded[1][2] 20,000 dead or wounded, 4,000 captured The Battle of Vimy Ridge was one of the opening battles in a larger British... Look up sir in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Julian Hedworth George Byng Field Marshal Julian Hedworth George Byng, 1st Viscount Byng of Vimy, GCB, GCMG, MVO (11 September 1862–6 June 1935) was a career British Army officer who served with distinction during World War I with the British Expeditionary Force in France, in the Battle of Gallipoli... Combatants Canada United Kingdom  German Empire Commanders Julian Byng Arthur Currie Ludwig von Falkenhausen Strength 200,000 Unknown Casualties 3,598 dead, 7,004 wounded[1][2] 20,000 dead or wounded, 4,000 captured The Battle of Vimy Ridge was one of the opening battles in a larger British... German barrage on Allied trenches at Ypres. ...

Other Battles

Currie and the Canadian Corps were successful again at Passchendaele (the Third Battle of Ypres) in November, but at the cost of 16,000 men. Currie had accurately predicted these high casualty figures when British General Douglas Haig ordered the troops to attack. Passchendaele village, before and after the Battle of Passchendaele The Battle of Passchendaele, otherwise known as the Third Battle of Ypres, was one of the major battles of World War I, fought by British, ANZAC, and Canadian soldiers against the German army near Ypres ( Ieper in Flemish) in West Flanders... Geography Country Belgium Community Flemish Community Region Flemish Region Province West Flanders Arrondissement Ypres Coordinates , , Area 130. ... For other persons named Douglas Haig, see Douglas Haig (disambiguation). ...

When the German 1918 spring offensive was stalled, Currie took the Canadian Corps 100 miles south, in total secrecy, to the French town of Amiens, where his troops halted the German offensive in the Battle of Amiens and began the drive to Germany (known as the Canada's Hundred Days). The Canadian Corps was a World War I Canadas soldiers in September of 1915 after the arrival of the 2nd Canadian Division in France. ... Amiens is a city and commune in the north of France, 120 km north of Paris. ... Combatants United Kingdom, France, Canada, Australia Germany Commanders Henry Rawlinson Georg von der Marwitz Strength 4 Aus. ... Canadas Hundred Days refers to the last 100 days of World War I, from August 4 to November 11, 1918. ...

At the Battle of the Canal du Nord in September of 1918, Currie flatly refused to carry out Haig's orders to attack across a canal and into a fortified German trench. With the support of General Byng, Currie had bridges quickly assembled, and crossed the canal at night, surprising the Germans with an attack in the morning. This proved the effectiveness of Canadian engineers. Currie believed in the specialisation of troops and formally organised battalions of combat engineers to move with the troops. Combatants Canadian Corps German Empire Commanders Arthur Currie Strength 4 Canadian Divisions The Battle of Canal du Nord was an engagement during the Hundred Days Offensive of the First World War. ... 1918 (MCMXVIII) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar (see link for calendar) or a common year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar. ...

As the war neared its end, the Canadian Corps pressed on towards Germany, strengthening its reputation as one of the most feared and respected military formations of the war during Canada's Hundred Days, which included the Battle of Amiens from August 8–August 11, 1918. George Lawrence Price, the last Canadian to die and likely the third last allied soldier to die in the First World War, was under Currie's command at Mons, and was killed by German sniper fire at 10:58 am, just before the 11:00 am Armistice on November 11, 1918. Canadas Hundred Days refers to the last 100 days of World War I, from August 4 to November 11, 1918. ... Combatants United Kingdom, France, Canada, Australia Germany Commanders Henry Rawlinson Georg von der Marwitz Strength 4 Aus. ... is the 220th day of the year (221st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 223rd day of the year (224th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For other people named George Price, see George Price. ... Ypres, 1917, in the vicinity of the Battle of Passchendaele. ... Mons Mons ---- (more info) Stage 1 : Request (How-to) Article EN is too short for the city where the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe is located Sylfred1977 20:04, 13 October 2007 (UTC) Very good article (featured article in the french WIKIPEDIA) Join this translation   ---   Update this information (instructions)   This... For other uses, see Sniper (disambiguation). ... Front page of the New York Times on Armistice Day, 11 November 1918 The armistice treaty between the Allies and Germany was signed in a railway carriage in Compiègne Forest on November 11, 1918, and marked the end of the First World War on the Western Front. ... is the 315th day of the year (316th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1918 (MCMXVIII) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar (see link for calendar) or a common year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar. ...

Currie was respected by his men as an extremely capable general, who closely followed the progress of battles onsite, and who would not waste their lives needlessly. Currie later faced intense criticism for wasting lives in the last days of the war because he had had forehand knowledge of the planned Armistice. This contradiction can be explained by the fact that Currie did not support the Armistice agreement. He believed that unless the Allied forces pushed onward and completely destroyed the German army, then they would have to come back and fight again in 25 years.

Currie also refused to allow his former friend Garnet Hughes to serve under him, because of what Currie perceived to be incompetence he had witnessed when they fought together at Ypres in 1915. This also did not endear him to Garnet's father, who constantly lobbied for his son's promotion and leveled personal attacks against Currie.

Currie, along with General John Monash of Australia, were both civilians prior to the war, who during the War rose to lead their respective armies. Sir John Monash General Sir John Monash, GCMG, KCB, VD (27 June 1865 – 8 October 1931), Australian military commander of the First World War, was born in Melbourne, Victoria, to parents of Prussian-Jewish origin (the family name was originally spelled Monasch). ...

Regimental scandal and postwar libel suit

Before the Battle of Vimy Ridge, Currie was almost court-martialed for misappropriating $10,000 from a regiment in which he served to pay off a personal debt. However Prime Minister Sir Robert Laird Borden did not wish to disgrace a war hero who had done so much for his country and let the matter drop. The Prime Minister of Canada, the head of the Canadian government, is usually the leader of the political party with the most seats in the Canadian House of Commons. ... Look up sir in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... The Right Honourable Sir Robert Laird Borden, PC , KC , GCMG , DCL , LL.D (June 26, 1854 – June 10, 1937) was the eighth Prime Minister of Canada from October 10, 1911, to July 10, 1920, and the third Nova Scotian to hold this office. ...

In 1927 the Port Hope Evening Guide newspaper reported that Sam Hughes had amazingly accused Currie of being just as much of a "butcher" as General Haig. Currie successfully sued the newspaper for libel in 1928, during a trial held in Cobourg, Ontario. Year 1927 (MCMXXVII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Port Hope is a municipality in Ontario, Canada, about 100 km east of Toronto and about 150 km west of Kingston filled with crack addicts. ... For other persons named Douglas Haig, see Douglas Haig (disambiguation). ... Year 1928 (MCMXXVIII) was a leap year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Cobourg (2001 population 17,172) is a town some 75 km east of Toronto. ...

Postwar career and honours

View of funeral procession of Arthur Currie showing horse drawn caisson as it moves along Park Avenue in Montreal, Quebec.

After the War, Currie became the President and Vice Chancellor of McGill University in Montreal. Currie introduced a quota system designed to severely limit the number of Jewish students.^{[citation needed]} His legacy at the university remains in the Currie Gym and the Montreal Neurological Institute under Wilder Penfield. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... McGill University. ... Founded in 1934 by Dr. Wilder Penfield with a $1. ... Dr Wilder Graves Penfield, CC, OM, CMG, MD, FRS (January 25/26, 1891 – April 5, 1976) was a American-born Canadian neurosurgeon. ...

Currie was knighted in 1917, and also honoured with the British Knight Commander Order of the Bath, Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St. Michael and St. George, the French Légion d'honneur and Croix de Guerre, and the U.S. Distinguished Service Medal. Badge of a Companion of the Order of the Bath (Military Division) Ribbon of the Order of the Bath The Most Honourable Order of the Bath (formerly The Most Honourable Military Order of the Bath)[1] is a British order of chivalry founded by George I on May 18, 1725. ... On the Orders insignia, St Michael is often depicted subduing Satan. ... Chiang Kai-sheks Légion dhonneur. ... The Croix de guerre is a military decoration of both Belgium and France which was first created in 1915. ... The Distinguished Service Medal is a high level military and civilian decoration of the United States of America which is issued for meritorious service to the government of the United States in either a senior government service position or as a senior officer of the United States armed forces. ...

General Currie died soon after the 15th anniversary of the Armistice, on November 30, 1933. He is interred in the Mount Royal Cemetery in Montreal, Quebec. Canadian historians including Pierre Berton and J.L. Granatstein have frequently described Currie as Canada's greatest military commander. is the 334th day of the year (335th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1933 (MCMXXXIII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Opened in 1852, Mount Royal Cemetery is a 165-acre (668 000 m²) terraced cemetery on the north slope of Mount Royal in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. ... Pierre Francis Berton, CC, O.Ont, BA, D.Litt (July 12, 1920 – November 30, 2004) was a noted Canadian author of non-fiction, especially Canadiana and Canadian history, and was a well-known television personality and journalist. ... Jack Lawrence Granatstein (born 1939) is a prolific and renowned Canadian historian who specializes in political and military history. ...

Legacy

Arthur Currie statue at the Valiants Memorial in Ottawa

• Sir Arthur William Currie was designated as a National Historic Person of Canada in 1934. This designation was plaqued in 1938 in recognition of his role as Commander of the Canadian Corps in 1914, first General in the Canadian Army; World War I

• The Currie building and Currie Memorial hall at the Royal Military College of Canada in Kingston, Ontario were named in his honour.

• The Currie Barracks in Calgary, which opened in 1933 (the year of his death), were named in his honour.

• In Richmond, BC, General Currie Elementary School was built and named after him in 1919.

• At the University of Victoria, an on-campus housing building is named Sir Arthur Currie.

• In the Officer's Mess of the Canadian Scottish Regiment, the favourite chair of Sir Arthur Currie is reserved for the Commanding Officer of the Regiment to sit on.

• In his hometown of Strathroy, Ontario the local branch of the Royal Canadian Legion bears his name.

• At McGill University, the Gymnasium is named in his honour.

• A history room at his old high school, Strathroy District Collegiate Institute, has been named in his honour.

• Grandson Captain Arthur William Currie is a member of the Canadian Forces in the Cadet Instructors Cadre as the Commanding Officer of 2870 Cadet Corps in Ottawa, Ontario

• Sir Arthur Currie donated a statue and war memorial to the city of Saint-Lambert, Quebec.

Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 450 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (1704 × 2272 pixel, file size: 1. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 450 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (1704 × 2272 pixel, file size: 1. ... The Royal Military College of Canada (RMC), is the military academy of the Canadian Forces and is a full degree-granting university. ... Murney Tower, Kingston The Fort Henry Guard performing an historical demonstration The Prince George Hotel. ... Canadian Forces Base Calgary, also CFB Calgary, was a Canadian Forces Base located in Calgary, Alberta. ... Calgary is a city in the province of Alberta, Canada. ... Richmond is an incorporated city on the Pacific coast of the Canadian province of British Columbia. ... General Currie Elementary School is located at 8220 General Currie Road, Richmond, British Columbia, Canada. ... The University of Victoria (usually known as UVic, though originally as U of V) is located in Greater Victoria, British Columbia, Canada (northeast of Victoria). ... The Canadian Scottish Regiment (Princess Marys) is an infantry regiment of the Canadian Armed Forces based in British Columbia. ... Strathroy (2001 population 12,978) is a town in southwestern Ontario, Canada. ... Motto: Ut Incepit Fidelis Sic Permanet (Latin: Loyal she began, loyal she remains) Capital Toronto Largest city Toronto Official languages English (de facto) Government Lieutenant-Governor David C. Onley Premier Dalton McGuinty (Liberal) Federal representation in Canadian Parliament House seats 107 Senate seats 24 Confederation July 1, 1867 (1st) Area... The Royal Canadian Legion is a non-profit Canadian ex-service organisation (veterans organization) founded in 1925 with more than 400,000 members worldwide. ... McGill University. ... The Old SDCIs back The front of the old SDCI Strathroy District Collegiate Institute (SDCI) is one of two secondary schools in Strathroy, Ontario. ... The Canadian Forces (CF) (French: Forces canadiennes (FC)) are the unified armed forces of Canada, governed by the National Defence Act, which states: The Canadian Forces are the armed forces of Her Majesty raised by Canada and consist of one Service called the Canadian Armed Forces. ... City motto: Maximus in Minimis (Latin: To seek greatness even in the smallest details ) Province Quebec Mayor Sean Finn Area  - % water 8. ... This article is about the Canadian province. ...

In popular culture

• The futuristic Robert A. Heinlein novel Starship Troopers features a fictional Camp Arthur Currie located in Western Canada as an incredibly tough boot camp for aspiring Mobile Infantry soldiers.

• The comic book superhero Aquaman's secret human identity is Arthur Curry, inspired by this general.

Robert Anson Heinlein (July 7, 1907 – May 8, 1988) was one of the most popular, influential, and controversial authors of hard science fiction. ... For other uses, see Starship Troopers (disambiguation). ... Boot Camp is a software assistant made available by Apple Inc. ... Aquaman is a fictional character, superhero in DC Comics. ...

Quotes

Currie wrote that the "spirit" of the Royal Military College of Canada's graduates, "no less than their military attainments, exercised a potent influence in fashioning a force which, in fighting efficiency, has never been excelled." The Royal Military College of Canada (RMC), is the military academy of the Canadian Forces and is a full degree-granting university. ...

"To those who fall I say; you will not die but step into immortality. Your mothers will not lament your fate, but will be proud to have bourne such sons. Your names will be revered for ever and ever by your grateful country, and God will take you unto himself."

"Thorough preparation must lead to success. Neglect nothing."

References

1. ^ [1]

External links

• Arthur Currie At Find A Grave