Curley Christian facts for kids
Ethelbert "Curley" Christian (born around 1882 – died 1954) was a brave Canadian soldier and activist. He fought in the First World War and became known as one of Canada's most famous Black soldiers from that time.
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Curley Christian's Early Life
Curley Christian was likely born in Homestead, Pennsylvania, in 1882. When he was about 15, he left school. He then traveled a lot and worked many different jobs. Eventually, he moved to Canada. In 1915, he joined the Canadian army, known as the Canadian Expeditionary Force. He was later assigned to the 78th Battalion, CEF.
His Incredible War Story
During the famous Battle of Vimy Ridge, Curley Christian was helping to move supplies. A bomb hit where he was working, and he got trapped under the rubble for two days. Rescuers tried to help him, but they were sadly killed by more bombs. Curley survived and was taken to a hospital in France.
Surviving a Serious Injury
Because his injuries were so severe, he was moved to a hospital in London, England. All four of his arms and legs had a serious infection called gangrene. Doctors had to remove all of them. Curley Christian was the only soldier from the First World War to survive after losing all four limbs.
Life After the War
Curley Christian returned to Canada in September 1917. He received special artificial limbs in Toronto. While he was recovering, he met a kind volunteer named Cleopatra "Cleo" McPherson. They fell in love and got married in 1920. They had one son, Douglas, who later served as a sailor in the Second World War.
Helping Other Veterans
Curley Christian needed full-time care because of his injuries. His wife, Cleo, asked the Canadian government for help. Because of her efforts, a special program called the Attendance Allowance was created. This program helps disabled veterans pay for the care they need.
Curley also designed a special tool for writing with his prosthetic arm. This allowed him to write letters to other veterans. He even wrote to Robert Smith, the first soldier from the Korean War to lose all four limbs. Curley Christian became a public figure. He worked hard to support and champion better care for all soldiers who had lost limbs or were disabled.
Meeting Royalty
In July 1936, Curley Christian was one of 6,200 veterans invited to a special event. This event was the dedication of the Canadian National Vimy Memorial in France. During his visit, he introduced King Edward VIII to a group of his fellow disabled veterans. This was a very special moment! He also met King George VI and Queen Elizabeth when they visited Toronto in 1939.
Legacy and Remembrance
Curley Christian is buried in Prospect Cemetery in Toronto. He is also remembered on the Mural of Honour at The Military Museums. Some people believe he might have inspired the 1938 novel Johnny Got His Gun, which tells the story of a severely wounded soldier.
