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Private Ethelbert ‘Curley’ Christian in the Great War

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During the Battle of Vimy Ridge, Private Ethelbert (Curley) Christian suffered multiple injuries that would leave him a quadruple amputee. In fact, the only surviving quadruple amputee of the Great War. With his wife, Cleopatra, and the support of his medical team, he helped lay the foundation for what would later become a Canadian Forces financial and social assistance program for disabled veterans, still offered today by the Canadian government.

Private Ethelbert Curley Christian
Private Ethelbert Curley Christian. Photo Sharon Williams.

Date of Birth

Christian often documented his name as Curley, while his official birth name was Ethelbert. Military documents list his year and place of birth as 15 April 1883 in Homestead, Pennsylvania. However, according to Christian’s family, born in 1884 in Virginia. Common to find conflicting information while researching those of African descent. Possibly, records incorrectly documented by officials. However, also possible members of the Black community obscured their own documents intentionally. Creating aliases, and falsifying records in an attempt to evade government surveillance.

Early Life

Military documents also record Ethelbert (Curley) Christian born 15 April 1883 in Homestead, Pennsylvania. According to family tradition, Ethelbert raised a Baptist by his parents, Emma Neibors and Daniel Christian. Grew up with his three siblings, Lizzie, James and Branch, also in Pennsylvania. As a young child, Ethelbert’s mother gave him the nickname Curley because of the texture of his hair. This nickname would stick with him throughout his life.

Christian left school at approximately 15 years of age. Military records indicate that as a young man, he stood about 5 feet 6 inches with a solid physique.

Christian considered an African North American. Term used to describe Blacks born between 1850 and 1930 who migrated between Canada and the United States. Born in the United States, he traveled and worked between both countries before settling in Canada permanently. According to family, Christian quite the traveller. And, noted for journeys that took him along the coasts of North and South America. During these travels Christian worked as a chain-maker, cook, bricklayer and on a tramp steamer. His work on a steamer brought him to Alaska, where he then crossed over the border into Canada; he ended up in Selkirk, Manitoba, where in 1915 he enlisted in the Canadian Forces.

After deploying in Europe, transferred to the 78th Battalion (Winnipeg Grenadiers). His most notable mission at the Battle of Vimy Ridge. He suffered traumatic injuries, resulting in the amputation of all four limbs.

Military Service

Curley nearly 33 years of age when he enlisted in the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) during the Great War. Enlisted 16 November 1915 in Selkirk, Manitoba. A Private in the 108th Battalion (service number 721010). Curley stood 5′ 8″ tall with clear complexion, black hair and eyes. His attestation paper does not note a religious affiliation. A Chain Maker by trade, but previous occupation listed as a Hair Dresser later upon demobilization.

108th Battalion

Organized in November 1915 initially under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel G H Bradbury and mobilized at Selkirk, and also recruited in Manitoba. Embarked from Halifax 19 September 1916 aboard SS OLYMPIC, later disembarked England on 25 September 1916 with a strength of 32 officers, 843 other ranks. Later absorbed by 14th Canadian Reserve Battalion on 4 January 1917, and disbanded 4 August 1917 by Privy Council Order 1895 of 17 July 1917. Brass and bugle bands. Finally, Colours presented by Lady Borden, on behalf of the ladies of Ottawa, on 16 September 1916 in Ottawa, and later deposited in Selkirk.

Last Will and Testament

Curley compltes his Last Will on 11 November 1916, bequeathing all to his mother, Mrs Emma Christian of Homestead, PA, USA.

78th Battalion

Arrived and ToS by 78th Battalion, Le Havre, 29 December 1916, later joining his unit at Cambisneul on 6 January 1917. The following week, Curley in the line for the first time near Villers-au-Bois. Relieved by the 73rd Bn on 17 January 1917.

WINNIPEG GRENADIER CRATER

On 19 February 1917, Sgt Lloyd bombs an enemy mine shaft, and blows a large crater, 25 feet deep, mine near Givenchy-en-Gohelle. The crater thereby named WINNIPEG GRENADIER CRATER.

78th (Winnipeg Grenadiers) Battalion men leaving Y.M.C.A. Dugout near front line, September 1917
78th Bn. men (Winnipeg Grenadiers) leaving Y.M.C.A. Dugout near front line. September, 1917

Battle of Vimy Ridge

During the Battle of Vimy Ridge, Christian assigned to deliver supplies to the frontline trenches. Movement of supplies particularly dangerous at Vimy for the 78th Bn with soldiers vulnerable to German artillery and snipers, still holding the wood.

A comprehensive photo montage of the MIKAN collection at Library and Archives Canada from the Battle of Vimy Ridge, 9 – 11 April 1917. All photos were captured by the Official Canadian War Photographer at this time, Ivor Castle, a photographer from the Daily Mirror, who was given the rank of lieutenant and subsequently snapped 800 photographs.

The 78th Battalion sent twenty four Officers and 774 OR into the engagement on 9 April 1917. The first objective consolidated as rapidly as possible, and positions forward of CYPRUS TRENCH held until the early morning of the 12th. At about 8:30 am on the morning of the 9th, about 200 of the enemy came across the ridge in front of CYCLIST TRENCH. Lewis gun fire halted their advance. At about this time, several men of the 78th surrounded by the enemy and taken prisoner.

Enemy artillery subjected the 78th Bn to heavy shelling on the morning of 13 April 1917. Private Christian tasked with returning ammunition to his unit, challenged a military truck driver to race him to a cargo drop-off location. Unknown to his fellow soldiers, after the truck left the drop-off point, a high explosive shell buried Christian beneath dirt and debris in a nearby trench.

Recovery of Private Curley Christian

Curley not found until the evening of the 14th. Soldiers placed a mirror under his nose to see if he was breathing. Barely alive and in dire condition. Fellow soldiers then attempted to transport him to emergency care, but during the transfer, enemy artillery fire hit and killed the stretcher-bearers. Another team recovered Christian, incredibly, still alive, and escorted him to No 11 Cdn Fld Amb with contusions to arms and legs. Admitted to No 23 CCS just before midnight. Admitted to No 32 Stationary Hospital on 15 April 1917, and later reported dangerously ill on the 22nd.

By 26 April 1917, Curley in England via the Hospital Ship St Denis. Admitted to Manitoba regiment Depot, Shorncliffe. Gangrene no longer manageable, and on 28 April 1917, both hands amputated at Bethnal Green Hospital (the hospital closed in 1990 when patients and staff transferred to the the newly built Bancroft Unit for the Care of the Elderly at the Royal London Hospital (Mile End).).

Canadian Army Hospital: Orpington, Kent: Operating Room, 1918 Premier William H. Hearst office records, RG 3-3, S 15648, Archives of Ontario, I0052162
Canadian Army Hospital: Orpington, Kent: Operating Room, 1918 Premier William H. Hearst office records, RG 3-3, S 15648, Archives of Ontario, I0052162

Finally on 1 May 1917, both feet also amputated. By 3 July 1917, all stumps practically healed, and transferred to Ontario Military Hospital, Orpington.

Traumatic Combat Injury

Christian in bad shape as his arms and legs had been damaged by constricted blood flow. Doctors diagnosed him with gangrene and decided amputation the only viable option. Both lower legs removed about five inches below the knee, while his left arm amputated five inches below the elbow and his right arm amputated four inches below the elbow. A quadruple amputation at this time unheard of and considered highly risky.

Private Ethelbert Curley Christian
Private Ethelbert Curley Christian

Although some doctors believed Christian would not live, he became the first and only quadruple amputee during the Great War. Following the two surgeries, Christian cared for in Europe until September 1917, when he returned to Toronto to be fitted for prosthetics and to undergo rehabilitation.

Curley ToS at the Regimental depot in Dibgate on 4 May 1917, and later transferred to Ontario Military Hospital in Orpington on 10 July 1917.

17 December 1917 still waiting for hoops so he can be set up with artificial limbs. On 1 March 1918 patient awaiting prosthetics for his arms. Finally fitted with both arms and legs on 28 March 1918.

Return to Canada

The ship that carried Christian through perilous waters back to Canada a medical vessel known as the Llandovery Castle. This the same hospital ship that, nine months later, torpedoed by a U-boat and sunk with the loss of 234 doctors, nurses and patients. Only 24 passengers survived.

Under command of Lothar von Arnauld de la Perière, SM U-35 sunk 195 ships, making Perière the most successful U-Boat commander of all-time.

ToS No 2 District Depot in Toronto on 18 April 1918. Left arm re-ordered on 18 August 1918.

Did Curley sign his Discharge Certificate on 3 September 1918? One should not underestimate the abilities of Curley Christian!

Private Ethelbert Curley Christian
Private Ethelbert Curley Christian

Curley also awarded a single Gold Stripe. He may also have expected four.

Cleopatra McPherson

Christian transferred to the Invalid Soldiers Commission at Euclid Hall on Jarvis Street in Toronto. While undergoing treatment, he met Cleopatra (Cleo) McPherson, a volunteer aide. Cleo would become his caregiver and later, his wife. McPherson a Jamaican immigrant, born in approximately 1896. McPherson and Christian wed on 11 December 1920. The couple continued to live in Toronto and had one son, Douglas Christian.

Private Ethelbert Curley Christian
Douglas Christian. Photo Sharon Williams.

Recovery and Activism

Complications from the amputations resulted in lengthy hospital stays for Christian and significant caregiving demands for his wife, Cleo. Beyond the pressures of adjusting to such debilitating injuries, this also presented financial challenges for the couple. Cleo, in collaboration with the hospital director, formulated a plan. Since Christian’s injuries would require a lifetime of support, Cleo could apply her skills as a caregiver to tend to Curley at home. This would relieve the hospital of the cost and staffing demands involved in caring for him in their facility.

Private Ethelbert Curley Christian
Private Ethelbert Curley Christian

The hospital director appealed to the government, which eventually agreed to pay an allowance to full-time caregivers of veterans wounded during the war. This federal government program, now known as the attendance allowance, still offered to disabled military veterans who need financial and medical support to live independently.

Christian a man who did not give in to his medical challenges. According to family accounts, a creative thinker and also designed equipment to help him carry out everyday tasks, including a prosthetic attachment for writing. This allowed him to remain involved with the military family, writing letters to other military amputees and veterans and offering guidance, support and motivation.

Visit to Vimy Ridge Memorial

In July 1936, Christian and 6,200 other veterans (many of whom were blind), accepted an invitation to visit the Canadian National Vimy Memorial in France (see Monuments). Many of Christian’s fellow attendees blinded during the Great War due to the use of chemical weapons, specifically chlorine gas. When these gas shells exploded, they caused serious lung injuries and robbed many servicemen of their vision (in 1925, most of the countries involved in the First World War signed the Geneva Protocol, which banned the use of lethal gas and bacteriological weapons).

Vimy Ridge
Photo Sharon Williams.

Curley meets King Edward VIII, again!

During the trip to Vimy, Christian — along with a group of blinded Canadian veterans — had the opportunity to meet King Edward VIII. At the time, some controversy surrounding Christian’s interaction with the King, as certain newspaper accounts alleged Christian had approached the king without proper authorization, thereby breaching formal etiquette.

Official caption reads: His Majesty King Edward VIII descends from Vimy Memorial to greet Canadian pilgrims at the Unveiling ceremony. L. to r., front row: Brig.-Gen. Alex Ross, President, Canadian Legion, Major-General S. H. Burstall, wartime commander of 2nd Canadian Division, His Majesty, Hon. Ian Mackenzie, Minister of National Defense; 2nd row: Maj. Gen. Sir Richard Turner, V.C., Maj-Gen. Sir Archibald Macdonald, wartime commander of 1st Canadian Div., Hon. Ernest lapointe, Hon. C. G. Power; 3rd row: H.R.H. Prince Arthur of Connaught; Lt.-Col. Alexander; Col. W.W. Foster, 1st vice-president, Canadian Legion, Hon. Philippe Roy, Canadian Minister to France. Taken by an official canadian Government Motion Picture Bureau photographer who accompanied Canadian pilgrims to the unveiling ceremony. MIKAN No. 3377866
Official caption reads: His Majesty King Edward VIII descends from Vimy Memorial to greet Canadian pilgrims at the Unveiling ceremony. L. to r., front row: Brig.-Gen. Alex Ross, President, Canadian Legion, Major-General S. H. Burstall, wartime commander of 2nd Canadian Division, His Majesty, Hon. Ian Mackenzie, Minister of National Defense; 2nd row: Maj. Gen. Sir Richard Turner, V.C., Maj-Gen. Sir Archibald Macdonald, wartime commander of 1st Canadian Div., Hon. Ernest lapointe, Hon. C. G. Power; 3rd row: H.R.H. Prince Arthur of Connaught; Lt.-Col. Alexander; Col. W.W. Foster, 1st vice-president, Canadian Legion, also Hon. Philippe Roy, Canadian Minister to France. Taken by an official canadian Government Motion Picture Bureau photographer who accompanied Canadian pilgrims to the unveiling ceremony. MIKAN No. 3377866

Christian responded indignantly to this criticism. Also publicly stating the king had recognized him from a prior encounter and had made the first move, approaching Christian to talk to him. In addition, Christian kept a scrapbook of newspaper clippings about the Vimy visit, including several different newspaper versions of the incident. The overall impression from these reports is that the King kindly met with an enthusiastic Christian, who helped introduce the blinded veterans.

Private Ethelbert Curley Christian
Private Ethelbert Curley Christian
Private Ethelbert Curley Christian
Private Ethelbert Curley Christian

Legacy

Private Ethelbert Curley Christian
Ethelbert Curley Christian

Curley and Cleo remained happily married until his death on 15 March 1954, at approximately 70 years of age. Christian’s service and sacrifice also recorded on the Mural of Honour at the Military Museums in Calgary, Alberta, where included as part of the display. His son, Douglas Christian, continued the family military tradition, serving in the Canadian Navy during the Second World War.

Ethelbert (Curley) Christian buried in Prospect Cemetery, a division of the Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Toronto. His marker found within the designated Veterans’ section.

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One response to “Private Ethelbert ‘Curley’ Christian in the Great War”

  1. blackveterans55 Avatar

    Good evening. Kathy Grant here from Black Canadian Veterans Stories. In 2011 I received Curley Christian’s Memorial Scrapbook from his great great niece Sharon Williams. In 2016 2016 I donated the Vimy Scrapbook to The Canadian War Museum. Kindly have the images from the scrapbook reflect photo credit Sharon Williams. Thanks,