I have included a black and white photo of General Sir Arthur Currie’s boyhood home in 1919 when he returned to Strathroy after World War I. Also enclosed is my photo of the same house taken in 2008. As you can see it is generally deteriorated, the gingerbread fascia and porch are gone, the windows have been changed from the arched peak to standard square/rectangular shape. A closer examination of the house reveals deteriorating brick work, etc. As I understand the situation, the house is now a rental dwelling owned by a farm corporation.

The Township of Adelaide Metcalfe have agreed to put a Middlesex Historic Trail sign on the property and that should be place in the next few months, but frankly the house needs to be taken over by Parks Canada and made into a National Historic Site with the full protection and promotion that comes with that designation. It is almost too late.

John P Sargeant
Vice Chairman
The General Sir Arthur Currie Memorial Project