Biography

David Vivian Currie was born in Sutherland, Saskatchewan on 08 July 1912. The family lived in Moose Jaw Saskatchewan from 1913 to 1939 where he attended King George Public School and Central Collegiate. Following his formal education, Currie attended the Moose Jaw Technical School where he was trained as an automobile mechanic and welder.

Following service in the Militia, he joined the Canadian Army with the rank of lieutenant on 30 January 1940. He was promoted to Captain in April 1941 and was posted to the Royal Canadian Engineers training school at Dundern, Saskatchewan. A matter of months later, he was posted to the Canadian Armoured Corps training school at Camp Borden, Ontario. In May 1942 Currie joined the 29th Armoured Regiment (The South Alberta Regiment) which was a unit of 4th Canadian Armoured Division, and embarked for the United Kingdom in August 1942. The South Alberta Regiment was converted to 4th Canadian Armoured Division's armoured reconnaissance regiment in early 1943 and it landed in Normandy on 24 July 1944. Currie had been promoted to Major in March 1944, and commanded "C" Squadron of the South Albertas.

Following World War II, Currie spent eight years in Baie Comeau, Quebec as the maintenance superintendent for the Quebec North Shore Paper Company. In 1953 he moved to Montreal where he held management positions with Bonnar Equipment and National Harvester.

In 1959 Currie was appointed Sergeant-of-Arms of the House of Commons by Prime Minister John Diefenbaker. He held that position for seventeen years. Currie also served as vice-chairman of the Victoria Cross and George Cross Association (Overseas).

David Currie died on 20 June 1986 in Ottawa. He was buried in Owen Sound, Ontario, the home of his wife, the former Isabel Civil. A plaque to his memory was unveiled at Queen's Park in Owen Sound on 01 July 1989.

Steel Chariots reader Neil Hill wrote to advise that in 1986, while CO SASK D, he was instrumental in having the Moose Jaw Armoury, home of the Saskatchewan Dragoons,"named" in LCol Currie's honour.

Major Currie's Victoria Cross is believed to still be in the care of his family.

(28)
Major Currie in front of a Sherman V,
somewhere in North-West Europe.

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© Chris Johnson, 1997