Part 38

=Currie, General Sir Arthur William, C.B., G.C.M.G.=, Commander-in-chief of the Canadian Army on the Western front during the latter stages of the great war, was born at the village of Napperton, Middlesex County, Ontario, December 5, 1875, the son of William Garner and Jane Currie. He was educated at the public school of his district and later at Strathroy Collegiate Institute. Going to British Columbia in 1893 when but eighteen years of age he first engaged in school teaching at Sidney, B.C. Later he located in Victoria, B.C., and entered on a business career. At the time the war broke out he was the head of the firm of Currie & Power, one of the leading real estate concerns of Vancouver Island. Nearest to his heart, however, were military pursuits, and he early identified himself with the 5th Canadian Garrison Artillery, in which he served fourteen years, rising ultimately to the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel. With him, however, military activity was not merely a case of dress parades, but a real pursuit. He devoted himself seriously to the study of modern tactics, not only in connection with his own arm of the service but infantry as well. He used his influence to encourage rifle shooting, and from 1907 onward was President of the British Columbia Rifle Association. On the outbreak of the war followed by the decision of the Canadian Government to send an Expeditionary Force to the front, Col. Currie was recognized as one of the most efficient volunteer officers in this country, and when Sir Sam Hughes telegraphed him asking him to accept a command he did not hesitate to offer his services. He was assigned to the command of the Vancouver Highland Battalion, which trained at Valcartier Camp, and went overseas in the late autumn of 1914 to complete its training on Salisbury Plain. The regiment was one of the first Canadian units sent to France, and in the terrible fighting at St. Julien and Langemarck in connection with the second battle of Ypres, April, 1915, had its baptism of blood. This was the engagement of which Viscount French reported to the War Office “The Canadians saved the day.” In this severe test Colonel Currie won a reputation for leadership and courage of the highest order which has distinguished him ever since. He received enthusiastic praise from General Alderson, the Imperial officer then in command of the Canadian division, and on the latter’s recommendation was accorded the coveted D.S.O. and given command of a brigade. His service as brigade commander proved so completely successful that his work won the attention of the British Headquarters Staff, and when a reorganization of commands ensued as a result of the arrival of two new Canadian divisions in the field, he was elevated to the rank of Major-General and placed in charge of the First Division of the Canadian Army. In this post he commanded his division at the Battle of Hooge, when it resisted the full force of the German assault in what was described as “this particular hell of Hooge.” His cool and brilliant handling of what was admittedly a critical situation for all forces on the bloody Ypres salient won him the unstinted praise of his immediate chief-in-command, General Sir Julian Byng, and all the other British military experts. The correspondent of the London “Times” reported that nothing finer was ever seen in warfare than the manner in which the lines over Maple Cape, Observatory Ridge and Armagh Wood were held by the troops under General Currie’s command. Sir Julian Byng in his report said “I am proud of the Canadian troops under my command. Their behaviour has been magnificent. I have never known fiercer or more deadly barrage, nor have I seen any troops fight with more earnestness, courage and cheerfulness.” He especially praised General Currie’s counter attack with the Canadian division at 1.30 on the morning of June 13, 1916, on a front of 500 yards extending from Sanctuary Wood to Hill 60, when heavy losses were inflicted on the Germans and prisoners taken. The spring of 1917 was marked by glorious achievement on the part of the Canadian troops, including the captures of Messines Ridge and Vimy Ridge, and finally attaining the investment of Lens. In the midst of the spring campaign Sir Julian Byng was shifted to the command of a British Army. General Currie was at once recognized as his logical successor and became the Chief-in-Command of the Canadian Army in the field with four divisions under him. The victory of Vimy which was heralded throughout the world as a great military achievement, was generally credited to General Currie’s masterly powers of preparation and organization. It was in recognition of these services that His Majesty King George knighted him on the field of Vimy as a member of the Order of St. Michael and St. George. Earlier still he had been made a Companion of the Bath. It was on June 19, 1917, that he assumed the chief command, and one of his first achievements was the capture of Hill 70 on his own initiative, rendering the important mining city of Lens, which had been in German occupation for nearly three years, untenable for military uses by the enemy. General Currie could have occupied Lens any time during the summer of 1917 that it was deemed desirable, but owing to the belief of the French Government that its capture would only result in further destruction, without military advantage, the word to advance was withheld. Instead, during the autumn of 1917 General Currie and his army were assigned by Sir Douglas Haig to one of the most terrible tasks that was ever allotted to a military force. It was that of taking Passchendaele Ridge in Flanders with a view to getting to Roulers and cutting off the U-Boat bases of Zeebrugge and Ostend. Sir Douglas Haig assigned the task to the Canadians because he believed that under the command of General Currie they had developed into the best “shock” troops in the world. The Germans on the other hand believed that Passchendaele Ridge was impregnable, and many military experts agreed with them; but the U-Boat menace was such that the attempt was deemed to be justified by necessity. Before the attack General Currie personally addressed his men, and did not disguise what they had to face, but so fired them with the spirit of victory that despite terrible losses they carried the Ridge. It was one of the tragedies of the war that the Flanders winter closed down so suddenly that it was impossible to reap the full fruits of victory by advancing to Roulers. By spring the situation had been absolutely changed by the great German offensive of March, 1918, and Passchendaele was temporarily abandoned. This circumstance did not alter the greatness of the original achievement, attained in obedience to the orders of the Headquarters command. In the final stages of the war which gave the Allies victory the Canadian army under General Currie played a role of immortal lustre. They entered in the fighting in full force on August 8, 1918, and from thence onward until the signing of the armistice on November 11 victory after victory crowned their banners. The greatest of their achievements was perhaps the breaking of the Drocourt-Queant Switch Line, a part of the great “Hindenburg” defence system, which the Germans had also boasted was impregnable. When General Currie achieved this victory and opened the road to Cambrai it was at once recognized by war experts, and even by German critics, that Marshal Foch’s strategy could succeed in a much shorter period than had been anticipated if such efforts could be repeated on other parts of the Allied front. As everyone knows this prognostication was not falsified. Before the war was over General Currie and his army had to their credit the capture of Cambrai and of Valenciennes, two of the most vital points in the German resistance. Two hours before the armistice was signed General Currie rode as a conqueror into Mons, the point where the old “contemptibles” of the original British Army had first shown their prowess against the Germans in 1914. During the cleaning-up operations following the war, his administrative abilities have proven most valuable. On New Year’s Day, 1919, his services were further recognized by bestowing on him the honor of Grand Cross of St. Michael and St. George, an order in which he was already a Knight. It must not be forgotten also that in the critical period when Canada’s maintenance of her forces in France was in doubt, General Currie’s voice had great weight in determining the action of the people of this country. He strongly urged on Sir Robert Borden and other ministers that this country should do everything in its power to help win the war and meet the condition caused by the falling off of enlistments, a condition which was threatening the dissolution of his ever-victorious army. The result was the decision of the Canadian Government to adopt the policy of conscription. During the election campaign that ensued he sent the following message to the Canadian people on behalf of himself and his staff: “We sincerely sympathize with endeavors to arouse our countrymen to the necessity of remaining united and firm in their determination to furnish troops in the field all necessary support. We deeply deplore the fact that the wisdom of doing so has become a subject for debate and controversy by those at home. If support is now withheld or even delayed it means that additional burdens will have to be borne by men already doing the seemingly impossible.” This message coming from the most eminent of Canadian soldiers and one who in private life had been a political opponent of the Borden administration, could not fail to bring thousands of electors to a sense of their duty to the soldier in the field. There have been rumors that an effort would be made to induce General Currie to enter Canadian politics as a Liberal leader on his return from the front, but so far he has refused to assent to any such proposals. He is an Anglican in religion and was married in 1901 to Miss L. S. Chaworth-Masters of Victoria, B.C., by whom he has one daughter. A quiet man of iron determination and marvellous powers of organization, he is, however, certain to play a prominent role in the life of Canada in future, whatever path he may elect to follow.

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=Girard, A. D.=, one of the leading advocates of St. John’s, Quebec, was born at Ste. Hyacinthe in that province on May 10, 1841, the son of Michel and Sophie (Cheicoine) Girard. He was educated at Ste. Hyacinthe College and at St. Mary’s College, Montreal. He qualified for the law and was called to the Quebec bar (of which he is now one of the honored veterans) on April 4, 1864. From that year until 1879 he practised alone at Waterloo, Quebec, and in the latter year removed to St. John’s where he has ever since resided. Until 1911 he practised by himself but then took a partner, and the firm of Girard & Demers, which has offices on St. John’s Street in above named city, is well known throughout the district. Until his retirement from public life a few years ago Mr. Girard was a prominent figure in Quebec politics and a supporter of the Conservative party. He was the candidate of that party for the Legislature as early as 1875, in the riding of Sheppard. In the elections of both 1900 and 1904 he contested St. John’s in the same interest. His counsel has been much sought by the younger politicians of the day. In religion he is a Roman Catholic and was married on February 13, 1877, to Cordelli, daughter of F. X. Bousquet of Montreal.

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=Wilson, Peter Edward, B.A., LL.B.=, Barrister-at-law, Prince George, B.C., was born at Bond Head, Ont., August 28, 1871, the son of Charles Wilson, farmer, and Rachel, his wife. He was educated at Brampton High School, Toronto University and Osgoode Hall, Toronto, and after being called to the bar, went to British Columbia in 1896, first practising at Nelson. In 1905 he was appointed judge of the County Court of East Kootenay, a post which he held with honor to himself and to his office until 1912, when he resigned to resume practice at Fort George, B.C., where he has ever since resided. He is City Solicitor of that place and has also filled the offices of President of the Board of Trade and Chairman of the School Board. During 1917-8 he was a member of the Exemption Tribunal under the Military Service Act, for the district of Fort George. He is an Anglican in religion and Independent in politics. His recreations are gardening and curling. On Dec. 10, 1896, he married Christine, daughter of George Brown, a gentleman of Maidenhead, Eng., by whom he has seven children.

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=Mann, Alexander Robert=, 3690 Selkirk Ave., Shaughnessy Heights, Vancouver, B.C., one of the most prominent business men of the Pacific Coast and a brother of the famous Canadian railroad magnate, Sir Donald Mann, is a native of Halton County, Ontario. He was born in the Village of Acton on July 29, 1861, the son of Hugh and Helen (Macdonell) Mann, his father being a farmer. He was educated in the public and high schools of his native place, and had practical experience on the farm before going to Winnipeg in 1879, where he took up railroading. Subsequently he engaged in the lumber business at Fort Frances, Ont., and in 1890 graduated into railroad construction. Among the various western lines which he took part in building were the Long Lake branch, C.P.R. (1890); Calgary and Edmonton Railway (1892-3); Soo Line, Saskatchewan (1892-3); Cusp and Slocan Railway, B.C. (1893-4); Columbia & Western Railway (1898); Rainy River Branch, C.N.R. (1899-1901); Neepawa to McCreary section, C.N.R. (1903-4); Greenway Branch, C.N.R. (1903-4); James Bay road, Toronto to Sudbury (1904-6); Goose Lake line C.N.R. (1906-7). From 1895 to 1897 he also handled ore in the Slocan silver region. From 1898 to 1904 he operated under his own name as a railway contractor and in the latter year formed the Northern Construction Company of Vancouver, of which he is still President. He is also President of the Dominion Products, Ltd., and the Canadian Kelp Company, Ltd., of Vancouver and a Director of the Winnipeg Aqueduct Co. He is recognized throughout Canada as a type of the sound, constructive business man, to which this country owes its rapid development during the past quarter of a century. He is a member of the Vancouver Club, the Albany Club (Toronto), and the Carleton Club (Winnipeg), and his chief recreation is golf. He is a Presbyterian in religion and on June 19, 1908, married Jennie, the daughter of Robert Malton, Owen Sound, Ont., by whom he has two daughters.

[Illustration: W. J. BASKERVILLE Ottawa]

=Cartwright, Lt.-Col. Robert, C.M.G.=, one of the most prominent officers in the Canadian permanent forces, and who, at the time of writing, is stationed at Military Headquarters, Belmont House, Victoria, B.C., is a son of the eminent Canadian statesman, the late Sir Richard Cartwright, K.C.M.G., and was born at Kingston, Ont., Nov. 4, 1860. He was educated at the Royal Military College, Kingston, in 1881, entered the service of the Canadian Militia, has been stationed at many of the military districts throughout Canada, and has steadily risen in rank. Col. Cartwright is widely known as an efficient, painstaking and resourceful officer and has seen considerable service. He holds the North-West Medal, earned in the rising of 1885, and the South African Medal with four clasps. When the South African war broke out in 1899, he was Assistant Adjutant-General at Headquarters, Ottawa, and relinquished his appointment to go as a member of the Canadian contingent. Later he was given the honor of Companion of St. Michael and St. George. He established and was commandant of the Canadian School of Musketry, at Rockliffe, near Ottawa, the value of which has been proven as a training school for Canadian officers in the present war. Col. Cartwright’s own duties during the latter years of the war have been those of Musketry Officer of M.D. No. 11, Victoria, B.C. In addition to his military

## activities, he is a successful fruit farmer, and his recreations are

skating, riding, motoring and sailing. He is a Liberal in politics and a man of advanced opinions, being a member of the Single Tax Association, the Anti-Poverty League, as well as of the Army and Navy Veterans, and the Rideau Club, Ottawa. He is an Anglican in religion and was married on Sept. 20, 1885, to Ivy Marion, daughter of Benjamin Canning Davy, Kingston, Ont., by whom he has had three children, Marion, Vida Lois and Francis (deceased in early childhood).

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=Marshall, Lieut.-Colonel Noel G. L.= (Toronto, Ont.), Merchant, is one of those “British Born” who have carved out for themselves successful careers in Canada, although, since he was but four years old at the time of his parents’ removal to this country, his view-point is essentially Canadian. Born in London, December 30, 1852, the son of Kenric R. and Charlotte A. Marshall, he was educated in the Public Schools of Toronto and entered the service of L. Coffee & Company at the age of fifteen. Subsequently he was employed by George Chaffey Bros., Coal Merchants, and in 1879 purchased an interest in the C. J. Smith Coal Company. In 1888, Noel Marshall, in company with Sir William Mackenzie, bought out the entire business and three years later changed the corporate name to that of The Standard Fuel Company. For the past sixteen years he has represented the Toronto Board of Trade at the Canadian National Exhibition, of which he is now Honorary President. Among other business connections, Mr. Marshall is President of the Faramel Company, Ltd., of Toronto; and the Dominion Automobile Company, Ltd.; Vice-President of the Imperial Guarantee and Accident Company; of the Chartered Trust & Executor Company; Director of the Sterling Bank, Western Canada Flour Mills Company, Ltd.; Canada Northern Prairie Lands Company, Ltd. Noel Marshall was a member of the Toronto Board of Education, 1890-91; member of the Toronto Board of Trade since 1899, and a member of the Council of that organization for several terms. He was created Knight of Grace of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem in 1915, and was gazetted Honorary Lieut.-Colonel in the same year. He is at present Chairman of the Central Council and Executive Committee, Canadian Red Cross Society; President of the Open-Air Horse Parade Association; Vice-President of the National Chorus and Provincial Council, Canadian Boy Scouts; member of the Ontario Parole Commission; Treasurer, Laymen’s Missionary Movement of the Church of England; Governor of the Western Hospital, Toronto; Vice-President of the Hospital for Incurables; member of the Board, Children’s Aid Society, Orphan Boys’ Home, Working Boys’ Home, British Welcome League, Imperial Home Re-union, Imperial Daughters of the Empire, Women’s Welcome Hostel, Georgina Houses, and Bishop Strachan School. Colonel Marshall married Harriette Isabel, daughter of John Hogg, M.P., York Mills, Ont., in 1879, who died on December 4, 1904. He has two sons. Col. Kenric R., D.S.O., and Noel Clifford. He is a member of the York, National, Albany, Granite and Royal Canadian Yacht Clubs, all of Toronto. He is a Conservative in politics and an Anglican in religion.

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=Turnbull, Walter Renwick= (Brantford, Ont.), President of the Turnbull Cutcliffe Hardware Company, Ltd., was born in Brantford Township, the son of William Turnbull, his father being a farmer and for many years the Secretary-Treasurer of the Brant Mutual Fire Insurance Company. He has served six years as Alderman of the City of Brantford and is Chairman of the Brantford Municipal Railway Commission. Mr. Turnbull married Alice Ada, daughter of Wm. Buck, Stove Manufacturer, Brantford, on December 3, 1890; he has one son—William Archibald. His recreations are bowling and motoring, being a member of the Brantford Social and Bowling Club. He is a member of the A.F. & A.M. and a life member of Doric and Ozias Masonic Lodges. Mr. Turnbull is a Liberal and a Presbyterian.

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