The Story Of Sir Arthur Currie: From Gunman To General The Great War With Norm Christie Timeline
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Date: 2022-07-19
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Comments and reviews: 20
Neil
The great difference between the British and the Canadian soldier was properly emphasized in this excellent post. The British Tommy had been taught of the omnipotence of breeding and culture, whilst the Canadian was well aware, that who you were and what privileges you had been used to, had nothing to do with the importance of a leader. Many of these Canadian troops had escaped their downtrodden lives in Britain for a new, more free life, in Canada. Currie was a soldier's general and the vast majority of the British generals were privileged snobs and toffs who knew little of their men's needs, nor sadly, did they care. WW1 was the start of the end of the British Empire. The Tommy's came back from France with hatred for the higher ranks of the aristocracy and things began to change. Currie deserved better treatment upon his return to war-weary Canada for certainly he was, at least, one of the best army leaders amongst the allied side, and all Canadians should be taught of him and what his reasonings were. In Britain, it is said that every family lost at least someone to the First World War be it an uncle, brother, father or son. Such a hellish waste of a generation.
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The great difference between the British and the Canadian soldier was properly emphasized in this excellent post. The British Tommy had been taught of the omnipotence of breeding and culture, whilst the Canadian was well aware, that who you were and what privileges you had been used to, had nothing to do with the importance of a leader. Many of these Canadian troops had escaped their downtrodden lives in Britain for a new, more free life, in Canada. Currie was a soldier's general and the vast majority of the British generals were privileged snobs and toffs who knew little of their men's needs, nor sadly, did they care. WW1 was the start of the end of the British Empire. The Tommy's came back from France with hatred for the higher ranks of the aristocracy and things began to change. Currie deserved better treatment upon his return to war-weary Canada for certainly he was, at least, one of the best army leaders amongst the allied side, and all Canadians should be taught of him and what his reasonings were. In Britain, it is said that every family lost at least someone to the First World War be it an uncle, brother, father or son. Such a hellish waste of a generation.
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jon
I had to laugh at some points. Its almost word for word the same nationalist language as what Australians and New Zealanders speak of.
But at least the Anzacs recognise the Canadians respectfully as on par to their own almost unbelievable military record in the Great War.
There is no doubt the colonials had the respect and awe of friend and foe.
Why?
They were extremely well led. Egalitarian, with the Ability to promote the very best rather than be caught up in the cobwebs of what school you attended, or family origins you had.
The quality of leadership had an impact at every level.
Fascinating to see 2 citizen civilian generals rise to the top of the 2 best fighting forces on the western front in 1918. Currie and Monash.
It says a lot about the extraordinary poor leadership coming out of less egalitarian systems.
But its definitely amazing how feted Monash was in Australia. recognised and honoured.
Currie didnt get the same payout. what a tragedy.
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I had to laugh at some points. Its almost word for word the same nationalist language as what Australians and New Zealanders speak of.
But at least the Anzacs recognise the Canadians respectfully as on par to their own almost unbelievable military record in the Great War.
There is no doubt the colonials had the respect and awe of friend and foe.
Why?
They were extremely well led. Egalitarian, with the Ability to promote the very best rather than be caught up in the cobwebs of what school you attended, or family origins you had.
The quality of leadership had an impact at every level.
Fascinating to see 2 citizen civilian generals rise to the top of the 2 best fighting forces on the western front in 1918. Currie and Monash.
It says a lot about the extraordinary poor leadership coming out of less egalitarian systems.
But its definitely amazing how feted Monash was in Australia. recognised and honoured.
Currie didnt get the same payout. what a tragedy.
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G. M.
Great doco, and wonderful to see Currie honored. I had no idea he isn't remembered in Canada. I thought Australians were bad, remembering football & tennis players over giants who had a real impact on history. My limited knowledge of Currie has nonetheless placed him at the top of the list with Monash as the greatest WW1 generals. They took a similar approach to executing the war and I have always thought of them together as the great innovators. Thanks for increasing my knowledge of Currie.
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Great doco, and wonderful to see Currie honored. I had no idea he isn't remembered in Canada. I thought Australians were bad, remembering football & tennis players over giants who had a real impact on history. My limited knowledge of Currie has nonetheless placed him at the top of the list with Monash as the greatest WW1 generals. They took a similar approach to executing the war and I have always thought of them together as the great innovators. Thanks for increasing my knowledge of Currie.
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William
I was fortunate enough to grow up with my grandfather who served in the 116th Battalion CEF. I have his helmet, his ribbons, his 116th badge, a pair of German binoculars he liberated and a bayonet (he claimed was his but after his death, it was German. Heard his stories, he was 18 years old when he enlisted. Also met my great grandfather who served with the KOYLI. A career soldier, He was wounded in 1914 and hospitalized in England. Heard his stories, too. They will never be forgotten!
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I was fortunate enough to grow up with my grandfather who served in the 116th Battalion CEF. I have his helmet, his ribbons, his 116th badge, a pair of German binoculars he liberated and a bayonet (he claimed was his but after his death, it was German. Heard his stories, he was 18 years old when he enlisted. Also met my great grandfather who served with the KOYLI. A career soldier, He was wounded in 1914 and hospitalized in England. Heard his stories, too. They will never be forgotten!
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pacificprospector
The British commanders/leaders wanted Canadian soldiers, just not Canadian commanders. If you want to see how they valued Commonwealth troops, just look at what happened to the Newfoundlanders after just one engagement. So when Canadian troops finally get a Canadian commander, more of them started to survive engagements. If you want a WW2 example. just look at Dieppe. I think Louis Mountbatten/Battenberg wasn't welcomed in Canada afterwards.
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The British commanders/leaders wanted Canadian soldiers, just not Canadian commanders. If you want to see how they valued Commonwealth troops, just look at what happened to the Newfoundlanders after just one engagement. So when Canadian troops finally get a Canadian commander, more of them started to survive engagements. If you want a WW2 example. just look at Dieppe. I think Louis Mountbatten/Battenberg wasn't welcomed in Canada afterwards.
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Petranilla14
It bothers my soul that men who fought are ridiculed by others who were safe in their warm beds and have never fought. WWI was a shock to the lives of those who fought. It is called The Great War because nothing like that was ever experienced before. I am glad he won that case and I hope these events are taught in schools. Teach your children about these men and events and they won't be forgotten.
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It bothers my soul that men who fought are ridiculed by others who were safe in their warm beds and have never fought. WWI was a shock to the lives of those who fought. It is called The Great War because nothing like that was ever experienced before. I am glad he won that case and I hope these events are taught in schools. Teach your children about these men and events and they won't be forgotten.
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Mark
If we don't loose these 16, 00 men and win this battle, the war may bog down and end. A General in this movie actually said that. War is a conflagration that consumes all, heart, mind, body and spirit. If the war had ended the business men would have had to sit down and settled business off the battle field. The Bankers would have had to find a different way to make money.
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If we don't loose these 16, 00 men and win this battle, the war may bog down and end. A General in this movie actually said that. War is a conflagration that consumes all, heart, mind, body and spirit. If the war had ended the business men would have had to sit down and settled business off the battle field. The Bankers would have had to find a different way to make money.
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North
I have great interest in WW 1. I have not read of General Currie. Only the names of the British Generals. The British Empire controlled the narrative(news. It was all the British Army, never Canadian, New Zealand, Australian or any other members of the empire. But those were the times. He was a good man and leader of troops in the field.
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I have great interest in WW 1. I have not read of General Currie. Only the names of the British Generals. The British Empire controlled the narrative(news. It was all the British Army, never Canadian, New Zealand, Australian or any other members of the empire. But those were the times. He was a good man and leader of troops in the field.
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Geoffrey
As an Australian I was taucht that Gen Sir John Monash is also to be considered the greatest allied General, let us just agree all combatants on both sides of the wire paid a heavy price physically and emotionally. I have relatives, Australian and German, who fought and dies for King and Kaiser respectively. Let us remember all.
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As an Australian I was taucht that Gen Sir John Monash is also to be considered the greatest allied General, let us just agree all combatants on both sides of the wire paid a heavy price physically and emotionally. I have relatives, Australian and German, who fought and dies for King and Kaiser respectively. Let us remember all.
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The
They fought for democracy and we are letting it crumble now. Democracy must be fought for in peacetime or it is lost. Canada is under a revisionist attack that is aimed at breaking our cohesion, divide and conquer. Our democracy is being eroded to sham elections. What these men fought for was not what it is today.
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They fought for democracy and we are letting it crumble now. Democracy must be fought for in peacetime or it is lost. Canada is under a revisionist attack that is aimed at breaking our cohesion, divide and conquer. Our democracy is being eroded to sham elections. What these men fought for was not what it is today.
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DW
Thank you Mr. Christie for enlightening us on the 'unknown' history of this extraordinary man. Canadians, Americans, and all of the Allies were fortunate to have had Arthur Currie leading some of the toughest and bravest soldiers in the Great War. His story should never be forgotten.
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Thank you Mr. Christie for enlightening us on the 'unknown' history of this extraordinary man. Canadians, Americans, and all of the Allies were fortunate to have had Arthur Currie leading some of the toughest and bravest soldiers in the Great War. His story should never be forgotten.
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Raymond
If you were interested in this history do some research on the Australian General Monash. Another general from the colonies who respected the lives of his men and believed in training and preparation to improve the chances of victory at a lower cost in lives.
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If you were interested in this history do some research on the Australian General Monash. Another general from the colonies who respected the lives of his men and believed in training and preparation to improve the chances of victory at a lower cost in lives.
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jeanette
Currie was born in a small village just west of Strathroy called Napperton, not much there anymore, his horse Brock is burried in the front yard acording to some of the oldtimers that went to the Napperton school wich was across the road from Curries home
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Currie was born in a small village just west of Strathroy called Napperton, not much there anymore, his horse Brock is burried in the front yard acording to some of the oldtimers that went to the Napperton school wich was across the road from Curries home
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Mark
It is most unfortunate that six years later he and Joffre were to be proved right, millions more people would lose their lives fighting the Germans again. Germany should have been invaded in 1918 and made to totally surrender.
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It is most unfortunate that six years later he and Joffre were to be proved right, millions more people would lose their lives fighting the Germans again. Germany should have been invaded in 1918 and made to totally surrender.
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Mark
It's the information age where everyone is tracked and two fellas are talking, feeling down. one says, just think someday you'll be gone and all memory of you will be too. The other says, well I can take some comfort in that.
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It's the information age where everyone is tracked and two fellas are talking, feeling down. one says, just think someday you'll be gone and all memory of you will be too. The other says, well I can take some comfort in that.
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Northern
Currie and his Australian counterpart Monash provided a huge service to Allied soldiers in 1918 when they helped to prevent the murderous fool Haig from repeating the tragedies and utter waste of lives of 1916 and 1917.
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Currie and his Australian counterpart Monash provided a huge service to Allied soldiers in 1918 when they helped to prevent the murderous fool Haig from repeating the tragedies and utter waste of lives of 1916 and 1917.
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David
Id heard a lot of Currie. But he was no better than John Monash. The pair of them proved to the British establishment that the dominions could lead at corps and army level and not continue the attrition of their troops
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Id heard a lot of Currie. But he was no better than John Monash. The pair of them proved to the British establishment that the dominions could lead at corps and army level and not continue the attrition of their troops
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Md.
General Sir Arthur Currie is an grate worrier and a national hero of the Canada. I feel proud for such a grate man in the history of WWI. I hope this documentary will be one of the golden history of the Canadian Army.
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General Sir Arthur Currie is an grate worrier and a national hero of the Canada. I feel proud for such a grate man in the history of WWI. I hope this documentary will be one of the golden history of the Canadian Army.
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MopTop
Thank you for a great video. I had never heard of Sir Arthur before today (British history lessons being what they are) but I am now a little wiser and a lot more appreciative of how one man could have done so much.
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Thank you for a great video. I had never heard of Sir Arthur before today (British history lessons being what they are) but I am now a little wiser and a lot more appreciative of how one man could have done so much.
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Koning
I hope the statute will remain for many years. Nowadays with these leftoids ssholes who take down any memorial and statute which does not fit their idiotic ill informed and even worse though over trash ideology.
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I hope the statute will remain for many years. Nowadays with these leftoids ssholes who take down any memorial and statute which does not fit their idiotic ill informed and even worse though over trash ideology.
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