General Sir John Monash KCB VD, First soldier knighted in the field for 200 years? Options

[Borden Battery]

Currie was knighted in 1917 and most likely associated with either the Battle of Vimy Ridge and the Battle of Hill 70. However, I am having some difficultly finding the details of the knighthood. I am curious to find a source document and will continue to research this element in his biography.

Also, Currie and the Canadian Corps, after pushing 86 miles in 100 days from the Battle of Amiens and through the "hinge" of the Hindenburg line, did not graciously consent to standing to and enabling some of the British units to enter Mons first. However, as was repeated for the Free French forces entering the Paris in the Second World War - geo-political politics trumped battlefield movements.

Borden Battery

[Chris from Sydne...]

After various internet searches, it is either 1917, directly after his feat or 1918, you never can tell unless it is a primary source, as most internet topics on Currie are exact quotes of each other! I would say they are close.

Turns out I think I posted the wrong pic in the first place, not that it really matters, and the book I saw was the Roland Perry account, which I think said the name under the caption as to who the fella previously knighted to Monash was.., I will check it out next time I am in Borders... until then I will keep searching!

Dave

Dave, It is Roland Perry's book at page 384 that mentions General O'Keefe DMS Army KCMG as an entry in Monash's diary. In the King's diary (page 385) it mentions KCB for O'Keefe.

Chris

Attached File(s)

 Monash_knighed_12_Aug_18.JPG ( 65.22K ) Number of downloads: 0

 

[Chris from Sydne...]

Currie was knighted in 1917 and most likely associated with either the Battle of Vimy Ridge and the Battle of Hill 70. However, I am having some difficultly finding the details of the knighthood. I am curious to find a source document and will continue to research this element in his biography.

Also, Currie and the Canadian Corps, after pushing 86 miles in 100 days from the Battle of Amiens and through the "hinge" of the Hindenburg line, did not graciously consent to standing to and enabling some of the British units to enter Mons first. However, as was repeated for the Free French forces entering the Paris in the Second World War - geo-political politics trumped battlefield movements.

Borden Battery

So Currie was the first to be knighted in the field for 200 years. Depending on Gen O'Keefe Monash was next or he can at least claim to be last?

Chris

[DaveMurphy]

So Currie was the first to be knighted in the field for 200 years. Depending on Gen O'Keefe Monash was next or he can at least claim to be last?

Chris

Hang on mate.., surely we don't give up on 'our' bloke unless we see some solid evidence!! Even if Currie did beat him to it, and Roland Perry's claim is false,
then the proper Australian thing to do would be to somehow produce evidence that Currie grew on a farm in central NSW out Bathurst way, that he is actually
an Australian lad, who was forced to flee (to escape gambling debts after a lengthy game of 'two up') under an assumed name to Canada and gained a commission
into the Canadian Army.

I hear that one of his mare's may have even foaled Phar Lap on the same farm!

Dave

[Ozzie]

Now, now Dave.

Cheers
kim

[Chris from Sydne...]

Hang on mate.., surely we don't give up on 'our' bloke unless we see some solid evidence!! Even if Currie did beat him to it, and Roland Perry's claim is false,
then the proper Australian thing to do would be to somehow produce evidence that Currie grew on a farm in central NSW out Bathurst way, that he is actually
an Australian lad, who was forced to flee (to escape gambling debts after a lengthy game of 'two up') under an assumed name to Canada and gained a commission
into the Canadian Army.

I hear that one of his mare's may have even foaled Phar Lap on the same farm!

Dave

Hi Dave,

Yes, yes, you are quite right. Nothing but conjecture from our dominion mates. Where is the evidence. I think Currie is an Australian name, now you mention it.

regards,

Chris.

[michaeldr]

quote: Currie was knighted in 1917 and most likely associated with either the Battle of Vimy Ridge and the Battle of Hill 70. However, I am having some difficultly finding the details of the knighthood. I am curious to find a source document and will continue to research this element in his biography.

See The London Gazette issue 30111 published 1 June 1917
"Chancery of the Order of
Saint Michael and Saint George,
Downing Street, 4th June, 1917.
The KING has been graciously pleased, on
the occasion of His Majesty's Birthday, to
give directions for the following promotions in,
and appointments to, the Most Distinguished
Order of Saint Michael and Saint George, for
services rendered in connection with Military
Operations in the Field,
To be Additional Members of the Second Glass
or Knights Commanders, of the said Most Distinguished
Order: —
CANADIAN FORCE.
Col. (temp. Maj.-Gen.) Arthur William Currie, C.B."

What is not so clear is when the accolade was actually conferred by KGV
The picture here appears on a couple of web-sites and clearly shows the ceremony taking place under canvas



But where and when? I'm still none the wiser
Does no one have a biography of Currie?

[michaeldr]

see The London Gazette Issue 30450 published on the 28 December 1917.

TUESDAY, 1 JANUARY, 1918. . .
CENTRAL CHANCERY OF THE ORDERS
OF KNIGHTHOOD,
St. James's Palace, SW
1st. January, 1918.
The KING, has been graciously pleased to
give orders for the following promotions in, and
appointments to, the Most Honourable Order
of the Bath, for valuable services rendered in
connection with Military Operations in the
Field. Dated 1st Jan.-1918
To be Additional Members of the Military
Division of the Second-Class, or Knights
Commanders, of the said Most Honourable
Order:—
AUSTRALIAN FORCE
Maj.-Gen. John Monash, C.B.,

[and by coincidence the next-but-one entry is Currie's second knighthood *
CANADIAN FORCE.
Col. (T /Lt'.-Gen ) Sir Arthur William Currie,
K.C.M.G., C B]

So, Monash was knighted six months after Currie
And was dubbed by the King seven months after that on the battlefield
It would have be unusual for Currie to have been made to wait over a year for his
So I am inclined to think that he knelt by the king before Monash
However the fact that the occasion took place under canvas does not necessarily mean that it was on the battlefield.
If Currie did receive his on the battlefield, then why is there not more record of it, more photographs or more references to it in the diaries of those present at such an unusual event?
We need more help from our Canadian Pals on this


* There is a British naval story about Admiral A who sent a signal to Admiral B to congratulate him in similar circumstances; "Well Done. Twice a (k)night and at your age too"