Strathroy in Middlesex County, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)
General Sir Arthur William Currie 1875-1933
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Le Général Sir Arthur William Currie (1875-1933)
Photographed by Tim Boyd, May 30, 2025
1. General Sir Arthur William Currie 1875-1933/ Le Général Sir Arthur William Currie (1875-1933) Marker
The first Canadian-born general, Currie grew up on a farm in Napperton and attended Strathroy Collegiate Institute. In 1894 he went to Victoria, B.C. where he joined the militia in 1897. At the outbreak of World War I he was given command of the 2nd Canadian Infantry Brigade and went overseas in 1914. He led the 1st Canadian Division at Vimy Ridge in 1917 with the rank of major-general. Later, he was promoted to lieutenant-general and became General Officer Commanding the Canadian Corps. On his return to Canada he was promoted to the rank of full general. From 1920 until his death he was Principal and Vice- Chancellor of McGill University.
Premier général canadien né au Canada, Arthur William Currie grandit dans une ferme à Napperton et fréquente le Collège de Strathroy. En 1894, il part pour Victoria (Colombie-Britannique) où il s'engage dans la milice en 1897. À la déclaration de la Première Guerre mondiale, il se voit confier le commandement de la 2e brigade d'infanterie
this page online
Erected by Ontario Heritage Foundation.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Military • War, World I. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Ontario Heritage Trust series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1894.
Location. 42° 58.877′ N, 81° 36.432′ W. Marker is in Strathroy, Ontario, in Middlesex County. It is at the intersection of Second Street and Adair Boulevard, on the right when traveling west on Second Street. The marker is at the main entrance of Strathroy District Collegiate Institute, accessible from the entrance on Second Street or Adair Boulevard. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 361 Second Street, Strathroy ON N7G 4J8, Canada. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Southwest Ontario Area and in Southwestern Ontario. It is also in Central Canada. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony, the Viceroyalty of New France, the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, and Rupert’s Land.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 18 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Founding of Strathroy (approx. 3.1 kilometers away); Strathroy Cenotaph (approx. 3.1 kilometers away); General Sir Arthur William Currie
Photographed by Tim Boyd, May 30, 2025
2. General Sir Arthur William Currie 1875-1933/ Le Général Sir Arthur William Currie (1875-1933) Marker
At the left of the entrance
Also see . . .
1. Sir Arthur Currie (Canadian War Museum). In April 1917, Currie was appointed in June to head the Canadian Corps. The first and only Canadian soldier to occupy the post, Currie proved an excellent corps commander. His willingness to demand more guns or preparation time prior to major assaults saved Allied lives and enhanced the prospects for success. Under Currie’s leadership, the Canadians cemented their reputation as an elite assault formation, with an unbroken string of major victories in 1917-1918 that included Hill 70, Passchendaele, Amiens, Arras, and the Canal du Nord. He is widely considered to have been among the finest generals of the war. (Submitted on June 2, 2025, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario.)
2. The Canadian Expeditionary Force (Canadian War Museum).
The growing(Submitted on June 2, 2025, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario.)size and complexity of Canadian forces overseas led in September 1915 to the creation of the Canadian Corps, an operational and administrative grouping of most Canadian fighting units and their supporting services.19203. General Sir Arthur Currie, 1920Source: Wikipedia (Smithsonian Art Museum). Public domain
At first commanded by British Lieutenant-General Sir E.A.H. Alderson and, from May 1916 to June 1917, by British Lieutenant-General Sir Julian Byng, the Corps grew from an initial establishment of two divisions with approximately 35,000 troops to a powerful striking force of four divisions with 100,000 troops by early 1917.
From June 1917, the Canadians were led by Lieutenant-General Sir Arthur Currie, a Canadian militia officer who rose during the war from command of a brigade to command of the entire Corps. Currie, who remained in command until 1919, is widely considered one of the war’s most capable generals.
Photographed by Tim Boyd, August 24, 2015
4. General Sir Arthur Currie statue in Ottawa
Credits. This page was last revised on June 2, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 2, 2025, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. This page has been viewed 96 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 2, 2025, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
