CURRIE VICTORIA CROSS TO STAY IN CANADA

For his skill and leadership Canadian Major David Vivian Currie of the South Alberta Regiment was awarded the highest honour for valour, the Victoria Cross. Later promoted to LCol, Currie always siad he was simply doing his job and the medal wasn't for him, but rather an honour to all those who didn't come back.

He died in Owen Sound, Ontario in 1986 and the medal was sold by his widow in 1989. It was again auctioned to a British buyer last year for $550,000, plus a $110,000 auction house fee.

Held up by Canadian laws regarding export of heritage items, that historic medal has just been purchased back from the buyer and will now remain in Canada.

The medals will be on display at the Canadian War Museum.

The purchase price to ensure the medal remained in Canada was not revealed, but was made possible by the generous support of the Movable Cultural Property Program of the Department of Canadian Heritage, the Museum's donor-supported National Collection Fund, and generous contributions from the Brownlee Family Foundation, as well as the following honorary members of the North Saskatchewan Regiment and their families: Heather Ryan and L. David Dube, Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel; Sandra Howe and Dallas Howe, Honorary Colonel; Sandra Stromberg and Robert Stromberg, former Honorary Colonel. The Canadian Cultural Property Export Review Board deemed the medal to be "of outstanding significance and national importance," helping to pave the way for the Museum's acquisition

To read the complete article, see:
Hero's Victoria Cross to stay in Canada (http://www.rcinet.ca/en/2018/05/02/heros-victoria-cross-to-stay-in-canada/)

The only Victoria Cross awarded to a Canadian who fought in Normandy is now in the hands of the Canadian War Museum.

"The Canadian War Museum is proud to have been a part of the effort to keep this important piece of our military heritage in Canada for the benefit of present and future generations," said Mark O'Neill, the museum's president and CEO in a release.

"It is inspiring to see how many Canadians have come forward to help. We are profoundly grateful for government support and for the private donations that enabled us to acquire the Currie medal set."

His Victoria Cross marks the 38th such medal in the possession of the Canadian War Museum. Only 99 of the medals have been issued to Canadians.

The museum said Currie's Victoria Cross and two other significant medals will be on display until May 29.

To read the complete article, see: Canadian War Museum steps in to save Victoria Cross (http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/ottawa-war-museum-victoria-cross-1.4643916)

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see:
CURRIE CANADIAN VICTORIA CROSS SALE REVIEW (http://www.coinbooks.org/v20/esylum_v20n49a34.html)

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