memorial plaque
Report a Mistake- Object Number 19720243-094
- Event 1914-1919 First World War
- Affiliation --
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Artist / Maker / Manufacturer
Preston, Edward Carter
Royal Arsenal - Date Made 1918-1920
- Place of Use Continent - North America, Country - Canada
- Category Communication artifacts
- Sub-category Personal symbol
- Department Arms and Technology
- Museum CWM
- Earliest 1918/01/31
- Latest 1920/12/31
- Inscription (obverse/avers): HE DIED FOR FREEDOM AND HONOUR CHARLES E. CURRIE; E.C.P. ; 35(reverse/verso): W
- Materials Bronze
- Service Component Canadian Expeditionary Force
- Unit 25th Canadian Infantry Battalion
- Person / Institution Subject, Currie, Private Charles E.
- Measurements Thickness 0.5 cm, Outside Diameter 12.0 cm
- Caption Medals Project- Currie, Charles E.
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Additional Information
Charles E. Currie was born in Lingan, Nova Scotia, on 19 February 1886.
A chemist, Currie enlisted in the 40th Battalion at Kentville, Nova Scotia, on 20 July 1915. He sailed to England with his unit on 18 October 1915. Upon arrival in England, on 25 October 1915, the 40th Battalion was sent to Shorncliffe, Kent, where it provided reinforcements to the Canadian Corps in the field. On 3 November 1915, Currie was transferred to the 17th Reserve Battalion for further training. He stayed with this unit until he was shipped to France in early February 1916.
On 3 February 1916, Currie embarked for France as part of a reinforcement draft for the 25th Battalion. He joined the unit in the field two days later.
Currie was killed in action on the Somme on 29 September 1916, after his battalion relieved the 14th Battalion on the front lines facing Kenora Trench. His body was not recovered. The 14th Battalion had been severely mauled by heavy shelling and machine gun fire during its unsuccessful attempt to take the trench. The 25th Battalion’s war diary notes that it, too, experienced “extremely severe shelling” after it entered the line.
Charles E. Currie is commemorated on the Canadian National Vimy Memorial, on Vimy Ridge, in France.