Sir Arthur William Currie

Sir Arthur William Currie 1875-1933, Canadian commander in World War I. He made a distinguished record for himself in World War I as a brigade and division commander, particularly at Ypres (1915) and Vimy Ridge (1917), where he was knighted on the battlefield. Promoted to lieutenant general, he commanded the Canadian Corps, which played key roles in the assaults on the Amiens salient and the Hindenburg Line, from June, 1917, until the end of the war. In 1919 he became Canada's first full general. From 1920 until his death he was principal and vice chancellor of McGill Univ.

Currie, Sir Arthur William (b. 5 Dec. 1875, d. 30 Nov. 1933). Canadian general Born at Strathroy (Ontario), he served in the Canadian militia before being appointed commander of the 2nd Canadian Infantry Brigade in 1914, without any previous experience of military leadership. By June 1917, he had been appointed commander of the Canadian Corps. In 1918, he was one of the most important leaders of the final Allied offensive, which ultimately forced Germany to surrender. He became inspector-general of the Canadian militia (1919–20), and in 1920 became Principal and Vice-Chancellor of McGill University. Harshly criticized by some for the heavy casualties caused by his campaigns, and because he had used regimental money in 1928 for this own personal expenses in a libel action, he nevertheless remained Canada's most successful general of World War I.