Royal Canadian Artillery
Donald Currie was born on 3 October 1918 in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia, to Eva Randall Fraser and David Carey Currie. The First World War raged on for just over a month after his birth, until the armistice was signed on 11 November 1918. Little did Eva and Casey know that their baby boy would have a part to play a in the next world war.
Don worked on the Canadian National Railway as a motorman in 1940 during the early stages of the Second World War. As motorman, he was essentially the driver and operator of a locomotive. He then enlisted with the 7th Anti-Aircraft Battery, Royal Canadian Artillery, in Stellarton, Nova Scotia. The 7th Anti-Aircraft Battery joined the 26th Anti-Aircraft Regiment in June 1942 and served in Gander and the Gander Lake Area as part of “W” Force, Newfoundland Defences.
In 1943 it was decided that the 26th Anti-Aircraft Regiment would convert to a French speaking unit. This meant that all English-speaking batteries that comprised the regiment would be replaced. As a result, the 7th Anti-Aircraft Battery disband on 30 November 1943.
Don was posted to a new unit and transferred overseas to the United Kingdom. He would proceed to take part in the liberation of Northwest Europe, serving through France, Belgium, The Netherlands, and Germany.
After the war he returned home to Canada and received his discharge. He eventually moved to the Halifax area where he worked as a chartered accountant.
As of 2025, Don resided at Camp Hill Veterans Memorial building in Halifax. He was 105 years of age when he signed the Soldier Search helmet in 2024.
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