Sir Arthur Currie Way was dedicated to General Sir Arthur William Currie (1875 – 1933) by the Canada Lands Company on January 16, 2008, as part of their redevelopment of Edmonton’s former Canadian Forces Base (Griesbach Barracks).
General Currie is considered as one of the finest commanders in Canadian military history, and as one of the most capable commanders on the entire Western Front in the First World War. Under his leadership, the Canadian Corps won a long series of battles, fighting as a unit for the first time in a major war. Currie would prove himself more than competent as a leader through his participation in conflicts such as the Second Battle of Ypres, Mount Sorrel, the Battle of the Somme, and of course, Vimy Ridge.
Currie was largely responsible for the tactics and careful planning that led to the victory by Canadian battalions at Vimy Ridge. On June 9, 1917, weeks after Vimy, Currie was knighted and would become the first ever Canadian-born soldier to command the Canadian Corps. Currie and the Canadian Corps were then called upon to take a pivotal role in the Battle of Passchendaele. In 1918, Currie took the Canadian Corps to Amiens, where his troops halted the German offensive and began the drive to Germany (known as Canada’s Hundred Days).
Currie was respected by his men as an extremely capable planner and innovative general, who followed the progress of battles close to the action, and who would not waste their lives needlessly. Currie was the recipient of various honours, including Commander of the Bath, Legion of Honour, Knight Commander of the Order of St. Michael and St. George, Croix de Guerre and the United States Distinguished Service Medal.