Sir Arthur William Currie National Historic Person (1875-1933)

Sir Arthur William Currie was designated a national historic person in 1934.

Historical importance: Commander of the Canadian Corps, first General in the Canadian Army; First World War

Commemorative plaques: 603 Fort Rodd Hill Road, Victoria, British Columbia, and 399 Ridout Street North, London, OntarioFootnote 1

 

A group of seated soldiers
Officers of the 5th Regiment British Columbia, Currie is seated on the bench, third from left. Canadian Garrison Artillery, Macaulay Point, 1909.
© Public domain

Sir Arthur William Currie 1875-1933

Trained with the militia here at Fort Rodd Hill, Currie went on to become a pivotal figure in Canada’s war effort during the First World War. Upon the outbreak of war, he took command of one of the first infantry brigades formed by Canada for overseas service. This skilful leader was promoted to Lieutenant-General after the victory at Vimy Ridge and became the commander of the entire Canadian Corps, the first and only Canadian to rise to this position. After the war, he served as Principal and Vice-Chancellor of McGill University. Criticized in his time, today Currie is seen as one of the finest generals of the Great War.

Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada
English plaque inscription, Victoria, British Columbia

Sir Arthur William Currie 1875-1933

Born at Napperton, Currie served in the Canadian Garrison Artillery (1897-1914), rising to command his regiment in 1909. In 1914, he led the 2nd Brigade of the 50th Regiment Gordon Highlanders overseas and after successive promotions became Major-General in command of the First Canadian Division. After Vimy Ridge he was promoted Lieutenant-General and commanded the Canadian Corps until the end of the war. On returning to Canada he became the first General in the Canadian Army. From 1920 until his death he served as Principal and Vice-Chancellor of McGill University. He died at Montreal.

Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada
English plaque inscription, London, Ontario

 

Black and white portrait of a man
General Currie, 1917.
© Canada. Dept. of National Defence / Library and Archives Canada / PA-001370
A bronze commemorative plaque
Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada bilingual commemorative bronze plaque for Sir Arthur William Currie 1875-1933, in London, Ontario, 2009.
© Alan L Brown, Ontario's Historical Plaques

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