Transcription letter Sir Arthur Currie to FA Pauline, 18 April 1918

Headquarters, Canadian Corps

18^th April 1918

My Dear Fred

I acknowledge, with many thanks, the receipt today of your letter of 17^th March.  You do not know how much I appreciated the opportunity of seeing you last summer, and in this connection I would like to thank you for your kind references to the corps on your return to Victoria.

With all British Columbians, I regret very much the death of our Prime Minister.  I did not know him intimately, but I knew enough of his character to realize that his loss is a severe blow to the Province. He was a man of high ideals, of unquestioned integrity, and I am sure would have accomplished a great deal of good had he been spared to the Province longer.  I hope the Honourable John Oliver gives satisfaction. He is entitled to a fair chance and loyal support.  As far as one can gather from the press, the path of our late Premier did not lie along a path of roses.  I know that he was honest in his intention to stamp out what is probably the greatest curse in Canadian politics, namely, patronage, but I can also appreciate the difficulties he encountered in his endeavour to do so.

Since writing your letter the great German offensive has begun, and so far the enemy has achieved a most pronounced success.  His advance has been much more rapid than anyone thought possible. There is a reason for it, and if the real reason is acknowledged and acted upon by those in authority there is still hope, yet if we continue to prefer camouflage and good form to the truth the very worst is likely to occur. One of the causes of the was the hypocrisy so prevalent in the world and one of the principal reasons of the Boche success at the present time is due to our refusal to see things as they really are.

As yet we have not been violently engaged, the Boche apparently preferring to try to turn our flanks than to come straight at us.  The latter is what we, of course, would like him to do though at the present time we are stretched out to an abnormal length. I do not know what our fat will be, but I have every confidence that the Canadian Corps will sell its life very, very dearly. The manner in which the additional one hundred thousand, which were to be provided by the Military Service Act, are coming along is a very great disappointment to us here. As I repeatedly warned those in authority last summer, the drafts are arriving too late, yet it seemed to some more desirable to play politics than to save their country from slowly bleeding to death.

I ask you to kindly remember me to Mr Whiteside and to Mr Nelson, and to any others of my friends there.  With many thanks for all your good wishes which I most cordially reciprocate.

I am, ever yours faithfully,

AW Currie

FA Pauline

940 Foul Bay Road

Victoria, British Columbia

PS – Perhaps you may be interested in the enclosed.

[2]

SPECIAL ORDER

By Lieut-General Sir Arthur W Currie, KCB, KCMH

Commanding Canadian Corps

In an endeavour to reach an immediate decision the enemy has gathered all his forces and struck a might blow at the British Army.  Overwhelmed by sheer weight of numbers the British Divisiions in the line between the SCARPE and the OISE have fallen back fighting hard, steady and dismayed.

Measures have been taken successfully to meet this German onslaught.  The French have gathered a powerful army, commanded by a most able and trusted leader and this Army is now moving swiftly to our help. Fresh British Divisions are being thrown in.  The Canadians are soon to be engaged.  Our Motor Vehicle Machine Gun Brigade has already played a most gallant part and once again covered itself with glory.

Looking back with pride on the unbroken record of your glorious achievements, asking you to realize that today the fate of the British Empire hangs in the balance, I place my trust in the Canadian Corps, knowing that where Canadians are engaged there can be no giving way.

Under the orders of your devoted officers in the coming battle you will advance or fall where you stand facing the enemy.

To those who will fall I say, “You will not die but step into immortality.  Your mothers will not lament your fate but will be proud to have borne such sons.  Your names will be revered forever and ever by your grateful country, and God will take you unto Himself.”

Canadians, in this fateful hour, I command you and I trust you to fight as you have ever fought with all your strength, will all your determination, with all your tranquil courage. On many a hard fought field of battle you have overcome this enemy.  With God’s help you shall achieve victory once more

AW Currie

Lieut-General

Commanding Canadian Corps,

27-3-18