The Sir Arthur Currie Memorial Gymnasium is named in honour of General Sir Arthur Currie, GCMG, KCB, VD, Légion d’honneur and Croix de Guerre (with Palm) – France, Order of the Crown and Croix de Guerre – Belgium, Distinguished Service Medal – US.
General Sir Arthur William Currie was born in December 1875, in the hamlet of Napperton, near Strathroy. He moved to Victoria in 1894 and taught at public schools in the area. In 1897, he joined the 5th Regiment, Canadian Garrison Artillery (C.G.A.) and has the unique distinction of starting his military career as a pre-war militia gunner before rising through the ranks to become the first Canadian commander of the four divisions of the unified Canadian Corps of the Canadian Expeditionary Force. He was the first Canadian to attain the rank of full general. Currie’s success was based on his ability to rapidly adapt brigade tactics to the exigencies of trench warfare, using set-piece operations. Currie was not afraid to voice his disagreement with orders or to suggest strategic changes to a plan of attack, and is generally considered to be among the most capable commanders of the Western Front and one of the finest commanders in Canadian military history. A courageous and innovative officer, he is best remembered for his involvement in formulating the plan for the great victory at Vimy Ridge. Then, as the first Canadian commander of the Canadian Corps, his brilliant leadership produced the sweeping Canadian victories of the War’s Last Hundred Days. After the war, Currie was offered the position of Principal and Vice-Chancellor of McGill University. He held this post with distinction from 1920 until his death in November, 1933.
