Attention Montreal readers - General Arthur Currie's grave site - Urgent!

[54/102 CEF]

General Arthur Currie is famous for many things - his work in the defence of Ypres April 1915, Commanding the Canadian Corps in Europe in WW1, managing McGill University are among them.

In his day he was among the many who launched the Army into the 20th Century.

Unfortunately his memory must be defended, not against his enemies of old, but common thug vandals.

The rumour is its had the memorial sword ripped off. Said sword was there last August when we trooped up to see the site. According to Mount Royal Cemetery staff - his grave is a very popular visitor site.

Can anyone in Montreal go to the Mount Royal Cemetery - check in with the main office if you havn't seen the grave site and then do a visual with digital photo ideally - post it here with a date stamp on it?

Many thanks in advance

PS: For your efforts you can visit a new website covering Canada and WW1 here. www.cobwfa.ca - check out the mapping links and the Berthonval Tactical Papers - the 11th Brigade planning data for the defence of the Vimy Ridge Sector that encompasses the modern day monument. There are 178 images and the maps are done in ultra high resolution.

 

[Calgon]

I appreciate the concern you have shown with regards to my Great Grandfather's burial site. Do you have any new information? I'm in Borden and will not be able to go to Montreal for some time.

Best Regards

Pte Currie

 

[vonGarvin]

I appreciate the concern you have shown with regards to my Great Grandfather's burial site. Do you have any new information? I'm in Borden and will not be able to go to Montreal for some time.

Best Regards

Pte Currie

Name Dropper ;D  (j/k)

Has anyone gone to the grave site to verify if the sword is there or not?

 

[Bzzliteyr]

Shitty deal, I had my Captain up there yesterday for the Last Post Fund Ceremony.  I *may* have access to a staff car this afternoon and will do a drive by.

 

[Bzzliteyr]

Ask and ye shall receive!

I also spoke with the director of the Cemetery, he informed me that yes the sword did disappear last year but it was recovered in the bushes behind the grave.

 

[54/102 CEF]

Well done on the pictures!

When I was there in 2006 the staff at the Cemetery said you'd be amazed at the number of visitors coming through to see Currie's grave.

 

[Bzzliteyr]

Well, I parked at the main office and personally walked with my contact to the site.  We had made contact last year after the Last Post Fund ceremony and he saw me in all my glory yesterday.

All is safe, I hope you are happy.

 

[Ill take Swords for 400]

Hello,

I know this may go unseen, but I was the one who actually found the sword!

At the time, I was working as a metal restoration specialist, restoring metal work throughout the cemetery. I found the sword in a bush while on a lunch break. My boss Ed and I restored and re-attached the sword.

In an odd twist my Great Great Grandfather served in WW1, most likely under General Currie!

Cheers
-Jim Silvester

 

[Ill take Swords for 400]

If anyone does see this, feel free to send me an email

-Jim

 

[jollyjacktar]

Good on you, Jim.