Circumstances of Casualty: Killed in Action. While driving wheel, bringing a gun into action, Gunner Currie was hit in the head by a small piece of shell and instantly killed
Location of Unit at Time of Casualty: Vicinity of Farbus.

BX May 1, 1917

Gunner Thomas Currie of Scotland is reported killed in action. It is thought this refers to Gunner T. Currie who enlisted in Brantford, where he had resided for about ten years.

BX June 2, 1917

Gunner Thomas Currie Highly Esteemed – Officer Commanding His Battery Pays High Tribute to Local Man

The following letter was written to Mrs. Thomas Currie, now residing in Glasgow, Scotland, referring to the death of her husband who was killed in action in France on April 21, 1917. Gunner Thomas Currie enlisted in Brantford shortly after the war broke out, and was well known and highly respected in the city and vicinity where he had resided for a number of years previous to enlisting:

My Dear Mrs. Currie,

You have doubtless been advised of your husband’s death, and I do not know that there is anything I can write to alleviate your great sorrow. But, I thought it might be some little satisfaction for you to know how much we all thought of him, and to tell you that he passed out doing his duty here in the thick of it, which surely is the most honorable death that anyone could desire at this or any time. He was beloved by all his comrades, and I, as his O.C., always held him in high esteem, both as a soldier and a man. He was a real man, always doing his bit without any complaint and doing it well. Always unselfish and considerate of his comrades – a man to be proud of. 

I do not suppose he ever knew how highly I regarded him. It also may be some satisfaction to you to know that he passed out without suffering and that we brought his body out and gave it a Christian burial in the presence of all his oldest comrades and all the officers of the battery that could be spared from duty. It is really a lovely little cemetery, well behind the lines, and his grave is properly marked with our cross, and will be looked after.

His few personal effects are being forwarded to you through the prescribed channel, and I trust will reach you safely. My dear Mrs. Currie, I wish that I could comfort you, in this your hour of great sorrow. He was a real soldier and gave all – made the supreme sacrifice. Have courage and meet the future bravely, as the real soldier’s wife he would have you be. All ranks of the unit sympathize with you in this, your hour of great trial.

Sincerely,

G.L. Drew,
Major O.C. 13th Battery C.F.A.