Alberta

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.

San Fortunato Street was dedicated to members of the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry and the Loyal Edmonton Regiment who fought in the battle of San Fortunato during the Second World War by the Canada Lands Company on January 18 2006, as part of their redevelopment of Edmonton’s former Canadian Forces Base (Griesbach Barracks).

The Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry and the Loyal Edmonton Regiment entered into battle on August 26, 1944, and fought for 26 days against a continuous series of defences supported with heavy machinegun fire, mortar and artillery fire, tanks, and mine fields. The Canadians finally captured the heights of San Fortunato Ridge on September 21 in a brazen night attack. The battle to break through the Germans’ Gothic Line defences was a major victory for the Allies in northern Italy, but it came at a high price. In total, the 1st Canadian Corps suffered 4,511 casualties, of whom 1,016 were killed. This was the bloodiest action fought by the Corps during the entire Italian Campaign.

Ortona Way was dedicated to the members of the Loyal Edmonton Regiment and The Seaforth Highlanders of Canada who fought in the Battle of Ortona, Italy during the Second World War by the Canada Lands Company on March 5, 2006, as part of their redevelopment of Edmonton’s former Canadian Forces Base (Griesbach Barracks).

In December 1943, in an attempt to hold up the Allied advance on the east side of Italy, the Germans reinforced Ortona with crack paratroops, and demolished many buildings to fill streets with tanks. The Loyal Edmonton Regiment and The Seaforth Highlanders of Canada formed the bulk of the Canadian force assigned to liberate the town. Ortona fell on December 28th after eight days of costly fighting. It is a cherished Battle Honour of The Loyal Edmonton Regiment.

Kinross Road was dedicated to Private Cecil John Kinross of the 49th Battalion by the Canada Lands Company on June 23, 2004, as part of their redevelopment of Edmonton’s former Canadian Forces Base (Griesbach Barracks).

Cecil John Kinross was born in Uxbridge, England on 17 February 1895, and, at the age of 16, came with his family to Alberta to farm. During the First World War he served with the 49th Infantry Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force. Before Kinross received the Victoria Cross he had been wounded, but was able to return to his unit within a month.

On 30 October 1917 near Passchendaele in Belgium, Kinross’s company came under intense German artillery and machine gun fire. Carefully surveying the situation, he took off all of his equipment save for his rifle and a bandolier of ammunition, and set out alone over open ground in daylight. Kinross then charged the machine gun, killed the crew of six, and destroyed the gun. Inspired by his action, his company advanced some 300 meters and established itself in an important new position. For his exemplary conduct, Kinross was awarded the Victoria Cross.

Kinross was seriously wounded and did not return to front-line duties. He died in Lougheed, Alberta on 21 June 1957. Mount Kinross, in the Rocky Mountains near Jasper, Alberta, was named in his honour.

Kerr Road was dedicated to Private John Chipman Kerr by the Canada Lands Company on May 12, 2005, as part of their redevelopment of Edmonton’s former Canadian Forces Base (Griesbach Barracks).

Born in Fox River, Nova Scotia, Kerr homesteaded in Alberta’s Peace River district before the war. He enlisted in 1915 and served with the 49th Battalion. In September 1916, during the Battle of the Somme, the Canadian Corps assaulted a two-kilometre front near Courcelette, France. During a shelling attack on September 16, Private Kerr noted that the supply of shells was running short. Under heavy fire, Kerr ran along the top of the parados (a mound of earth that protects a trench) until he was in close contact with the enemy. He then opened fire at point-blank range, inflicting heavy losses. His German opponents believed they were surrounded, and they surrendered. Kerr’s bravery yielded 62 prisoners and 250 yards of trench. Several of Kerr’s fingers had been blown off earlier in the day, but he did not have his wound dressed until he and two other men had escorted the prisoners to a support trench and then reported back for duty. Kerr was awarded the Victoria Cross for his act of bravery.

At the beginning of the Second World War, Kerr joined the Army once more, later transferring to the Royal Canadian Air Force. He died in Port Moody, British Columbia on 19 February 1963. In 1951 Mount Kerr, a 2,600-metre peak in the Rocky Mountains, was named after him.

Kapyong Avenue was dedicatedto the members of the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry who fought in the Battle of Kapyong by the Canada Lands Company on June 23, 2004, as part of their redevelopment of Edmonton’s former Canadian Forces Base (Griesbach Barracks).

When North Korean troops crossed the 38th parallel, the United Nations launched a “police action” that became the Korean War (1950-53). In 1951, Chinese and North Korean forces broke through United Nation lines and moved down the Kapyong Valley toward Seoul, the southern capital. It was here that the 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, and the 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, dug in to stop the advance, supported by the U.S. 72nd Tank Battalion. On April 24, facing heavy bombardment and communist numerical superiority, the Americans and Australians withdrew.

Alone and cut off from supply lines, the Patricia’s withstood successive waves of attack and held their position throughout the night. Some of the Patricia’s, short of ammunition, used their empty rifles as clubs. The commander of “D” Company called for an artillery barrage on his own position to keep it from being overrun. The next morning brought British support and an airdrop of more ammunition, and the enemy was forced to retreat. The Battle of Kapyong halted a massive communist advance. Ten Canadians were killed and 23 wounded. The Patricia’s received the United States Presidential Unit Citation for its extraordinary heroism and outstanding performance.

Griesbach School Road was dedicated to Major-General Griesbach by the Canada Lands Company on March 19, 2003, as part of their redevelopment of Edmonton’s former Canadian Forces Base (Griesbach Barracks).

Major-General Griesbach was born in Fort Qu’Appelle, Saskatchewan on January 3, 1878, son of Colonel Henry Arthur. His military career began when he enlisted as a trooper for active service in the South African War on December 28, 1899, and earned the Queen’s medal and four bars for his service there. In 1907, he became mayor of Edmonton. He achieved the rank of lieutenant in 1906, captain in 1908, and major in the 19th Alberta Dragoons in 1914.

When the First World War broke out in August 1914, Major Griesbach volunteered for the 1st Divisional Cavalry Squadron of the Canadian Expeditionary Force. Shortly after reaching England, he was recalled to Canada and given command of an infantry battalion to be raised from the Edmonton area - the 49th Battalion. Led by Colonel W.A. Griesbach, the 49th Battalion was called to various engagements overseas, including the attack on Vimy Ridge, the defense of Arras and operations at Passchendaele and Mons. In September, 1921, he was promoted to Major-General, and the same month appointed to the Canadian Senate, a post he held until his death on January 21, 1945. He was given a full military funeral.

Griesbach Parade was dedicated to Major-General Griesbach by the Canada Lands Company on March 19, 2003, as part of their redevelopment of Edmonton’s former Canadian Forces Base (Griesbach Barracks).

Major-General Griesbach was born in Fort Qu’Appelle, Saskatchewan on January 3, 1878, son of Colonel Henry Arthur. His military career began when he enlisted as a trooper for active service in the South African War on December 28, 1899, and earned the Queen’s medal and four bars for his service there. In 1907, he became mayor of Edmonton. He achieved the rank of lieutenant in 1906, captain in 1908, and major in the 19th Alberta Dragoons in 1914.

When the First World War broke out in August 1914, Major Griesbach volunteered for the 1st Divisional Cavalry Squadron of the Canadian Expeditionary Force. Shortly after reaching England, he was recalled to Canada and given command of an infantry battalion to be raised from the Edmonton area - the 49th Battalion. Led by Colonel W.A. Griesbach, the 49th Battalion was called to various engagements overseas, including the attack on Vimy Ridge, the defense of Arras and operations at Passchendaele and Mons. In September, 1921, he was promoted to Major-General, and the same month appointed to the Canadian Senate, a post he held until his death on January 21, 1945. He was given a full military funeral.

Griesbach Road was dedicated to Major-General Griesbach by Edmonton’s former Canadian Forces Base (Griesbach Barracks) on September 8, 1992.

Major-General Griesbach was born in Fort Qu’Appelle, Saskatchewan on January 3, 1878, son of Colonel Henry Arthur. His military career began when he enlisted as a trooper for active service in the South African War on December 28, 1899, and earned the Queen’s medal and four bars for his service there. In 1907, he became mayor of Edmonton. He achieved the rank of lieutenant in 1906, captain in 1908, and major in the 19th Alberta Dragoons in 1914.

When the First World War broke out in August 1914, Major Griesbach volunteered for the 1st Divisional Cavalry Squadron of the Canadian Expeditionary Force. Shortly after reaching England, he was recalled to Canada and given command of an infantry battalion to be raised from the Edmonton area - the 49th Battalion. Led by Colonel W.A. Griesbach, the 49th Battalion was called to various engagements overseas, including the attack on Vimy Ridge, the defense of Arras and operations at Passchendaele and Mons. In September, 1921, he was promoted to Major-General, and the same month appointed to the Canadian Senate, a post he held until his death on January 21, 1945. He was given a full military funeral.

Gault Boulevard was dedicated to Brigadier-General Andrew Hamilton Gault by the Canada Lands Company on March 19, 2003, as part of their redevelopment of Edmonton’s former Canadian Forces Base (Griesbach Barracks).

Andrew Hamilton Gault was born in England on 18 August 1882. He was descended from Scottish-Irish of Ulster who immigrated to Canada from Northern Ireland in 1842 and settled in Montreal. In 1900, at the age of 18, he was commissioned into the 2nd Canadian Mounted Rifles and served with distinction as a subaltern until the end of the South African War in 1901. He was awarded the Queen's medal with three clasps.

After the war he continued military service with the Canadian Militia, eventually becoming a Captain with the 5th Royal Highlanders (Black Watch). The Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry was raised in Ottawa in August 1914 as the result of an offer by Captain Andrew Hamilton Gault, by now a prominent business man, to provide $100,000.00 to finance and equip a regiment for overseas service. The Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry was founded for service in the First World War on August 10, 1914, and paraded for the first time at Lansdowne Park, Ottawa, Ontario, on August 23, 1914. It was the last privately raised regiment in Canada.

Gault was appointed Senior Major and Second-in Command of the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry. He was the first Canadian to receive the Distinguished Service Order for gallantry in the field during the First World War when he was wounded while retrieving casualties under fire at St. Eloi on 28 February 1915. He was wounded again at the Battle of Frezenberg on 8 May 1915 and again for the third time at the Battle of Sanctuary Wood on 2 June 1916, ending his field service with the Regiment. Despite losing his left leg, he refused repatriation to Canada and returned to duty as a Staff Officer with the 3rd Canadian Division until the end of the war.

On 28 March 1918, Major Gault was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel and rejoined the Regiment as Commanding Officer in November. Gault and the surviving members of the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry left France for England on 7 February 1919. The Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry returned to Ottawa 19 March 1919 for their victory parade, led by Lieutenant Colonel Gault. For his service in the Great War, Gault was also awarded the Order of the British Empire, the 3rd Class Russian Order of St. Anne with Crossed Swords and the Belgium Order of the Crown. He was Mentioned in Despatches four times and made Honourary Lieutenant-Colonel in 1920.

In 1939, Hamilton Gault was recalled for active duty with the Canadian Army in England and was promoted to the rank of Colonel in 1940 and to Brigadier General in 1942. He commanded a Canadian Army Reinforcement Holding Unit until ill health forced him to retire later that year. He returned to Canada and his Canadian home at Mount St. Hilaire in Quebec in 1944. In 1947, Gault founded the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry Association and served as the first National President. He always maintained his connection with the Regiment and gave advice on Regimental matters which were always referred to him. Gault was appointed honourary Lieutenant-Colonel in 1948 and visited the Regiment in Calgary in 1953 and in Germany in 1954. He was appointed the first Colonel of the Regiment shortly before his death 28 November 1958.