Canadians and the BAOR

Dan M wrote:

JPW wrote:

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There was a Currie Barracks in Calgary.  Currie was the Commander of the Canadian Corps in the Great War.  No barracks, or other military institution, has been named after Crerar, Simonds or Foulkes.

Cheers,
Dan.

Lloyd George gave serious consideration in naming General Currie commander of all U.K. forces for WW 1, but that would have been a bit to much politically for him to handle.

Just imagine, a real estate salesman/militia officer from Canada in charge of the British Army.

But then we had Sam Huges for a minister of defence. The original dip stick of patronage, stupidity and out right nut case.

Mayoralty Election In London
Ciphers, Hardrations, et al
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Sadly, what you are witnessing is, "The Count down to Melt Down" in our country and others. Think it cannot happen here? Remember what happened in Cypress and Greece and where it is still ongoing. In addition, we are bystanders to the destruction of the Nation States in Europe like Sweden, Belgium, Italy and other left leaning administrations.
ritter
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Hardrations wrote:

Simonds got screwed over after the war also. He would have been an ideal CIC Army if given half a chance.

Simonds did get the chance. He was the Chief of the General Staff after Foulkes. He gave us The Canadian Guards, remember?

Cheers,
Dan.

Dan M wrote:

Hardrations wrote:

Simonds got screwed over after the war also. He would have been an ideal CIC Army if given half a chance.

Simonds did get the chance.  He was the Chief of the General Staff after Foulkes.  He gave us The Canadian Guards, remember?

Cheers,
Dan.

Right to. Think I'd know that seeing as I had to do my depot with the Guards.

JPW wrote:

Lloyd George gave serious consideration in naming General Currie commander of all U.K. forces for WW 1, but that would have been a bit to much politically for him to handle.

Just imagine, a real estate salesman/militia officer from Canada in charge of the British Army.

Daniel Dancocks wrote that Currie would have been given command of the British Army on the Western Front if the war had gone into 1919 and 1920, which beginning in 1918 was the common perception.  However, Canadian military writers were sceptical when that first came out.  Just like a British general couldn't be in command of First Canadian Army, a colonial (even from a Dominion) couldn't be in command of the BEF.

As for Currie, brilliant general, terrible human being.  The Great War was the best thing that could have happened to him.  In 1914 Currie was in terrible trouble.  He was heavily in debt due to bad real estate investments.  He was a senior officer (maybe even the CO) of a militia artillery unit in Victoria, BC.  To his good fortune, the unit was converting to infantry, and was going to become a Scottish regiment.  The officers' took up a subscription to purchase the proper uniforms from Britain.  Currie took the money and used it to pay off his debts.  He was an embezzler.  The war broke out and he left Victoria one step ahead of the torches and pitchforks.  He went to Britain, was given command of a brigade and the rest, as they say, is history.  While he was serving in France, and after he had become a household name in Canada, some wealthy patrons took care of his financial problems back home.

Sam Hughes hated Currie.  When Currie was in command of the four-division Canadian Corps, he wouldn't give Hughes' son, Garnet Hughes, command of a Division.  Garnet was a Major-General in Britain, commanding a reserve division.  However the Canadian Corps had a strict 'promote from within' policy.  Private Soldiers and 2/Lieutenants only, please.  Senior NCOs and field grade officers not required.  Pissed off a lot of 'appointment by patronage' officers.  Considering that the CEF raised and sent overseas over 260 infantry battalions, but only committed 18 to combat, then you can see how there were a lot of angry Lt-Cols and Majors sitting in Britain, cooling their heels.

Sorry for the thread drift.

Cheers,
Dan.

Which only proves you have to have a sense of humour to serve.