1882–1954
Prospect Cemetery
Section 7 Lot 872
Ethelbert “Curley” Christian born in Homestead, Pennsylvania, was an American-born Black man who travelled widely across North and South America before settling in Canada. In 1915, he enlisted in the Canadian Expeditionary Force and served with the 78th Battalion (Winnipeg Grenadiers). During the Battle of Vimy Ridge in April 1917, Christian was buried under rubble for two days after a German shell struck his position. A second shell killed the stretcher-bearers carrying him to safety. Against all odds, he survived, but gangrene forced the amputation of all four limbs, making him the only known quadruple amputee to survive the First World War.
Returning to Toronto, Christian learned to walk with prosthetic legs and devised tools to feed and write independently. While recovering at Christie Street Veterans Hospital, he met volunteer aide Cleopatra “Cleo” MacPherson. They married in 1920 and had a son, Douglas. Cleo’s advocacy led to the creation of Canada’s Attendance Allowance, a program still supporting disabled veterans today.
Christian became a public figure, and many members of The War Amps considered him an inspiration to all amputees. In 1936, he attended the unveiling of the Vimy Ridge Memorial in France, where he introduced King Edward VIII to fellow disabled veterans. He died on March 15, 1954, and was buried at Prospect Cemetery, a tribute to uncommon resilience and service.
Sources:
• Ethelbert “Curley” Christian – The Canadian Encyclopedia
• Veterans Affairs Canada – Canadian Virtual War Memorial (Ethelbert Christian)
• Mount Pleasant Group – Curley Christian
Photo: Canadian news photo, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
