Thanks to the efforts of several people, a new headstone has been placed on a previously unmarked grave in Ventnor Cemetery.
The resting place belongs to Colonel Leonard Douglas Hay Currie, a British soldier who served in the Crimean War and went on to serve in North America, before returning to England and subsequently being buried in Ventnor.
Jason French of Island Memorials and Shelley Peach of the Isle of Wight Council Bereavement Services were instrumental in seeing the project through to completion.
Our thanks to Frank Jastrzembski of the Shrouded Veterans Facebook Page for permission to share his words and photos about the history of Colonel Currie.
Leonard Douglas Hay Currie was born on 6th March 1832, in Middlesex, England. He purchased a commission as an ensign in the 19th Regiment of Foot (The Green Howards) in 1849. During the Crimean War, Currie was severely wounded in the left foot at the Battle of Alma on 20th September 1854.
A surgeon considered amputating the badly injured limb, but Currie objected, saving the foot. On 18th May 1855, Queen Victoria presented him with the Crimea Medal at Buckingham Palace.
Left the British Army for USA
When civil war broke out in North America, Currie sold his commission and left the British Army, arriving in the US in October 1861.
“Thinking I might be of use,” he wrote to the New York’s governor, Edwin D. Morgan, “I was glad when an opportunity was offered me to place my services at the disposal of the government.”
Impressed his seniors
On 30th September 1861, he was appointed assistant adjutant general on the staff of Brigadier General William F. “Baldy” Smith. Impressed with the British officer, four generals, including Major General George B. McCallan, recommended that he be appointed to command a regiment.
“I believe him capable of filling any military position which may be assigned to him,” Major General William B. Franklin declared.
Colonel of the 133rd New York Infantry
On 24th September 1862, Currie was made colonel of the 133rd New York Infantry. He was shot in each arm during the assault on Port Hudson, Louisiana, on 14th June 1863. He urged them forward when he was struck down by yelling, “Lead on, men!”
After recovering from his wounds, he returned to the regiment and rose to brigade command. Currie was mustered out on 6th June 1865.
Buried at Ventnor Cemetery
After the war, he returned to England and died on 3rd January 1907.
He was buried at Ventnor Cemetery on the Isle of Wight, located off the coast of England.
The veteran headstone was placed in front of the marker of Leonard’s first wife, Harriet Carroll Jackson. Both are buried in the same grave. A native of Philadelphia, Harriet’s great grandfather was a signer of the Declaration of Independence. She passed away in 1877.
Special efforts
Special thanks are given to Jason French of Island Memorials, Shelley Peach of the Isle of Wight Council Bereavement Services, and everyone who contributed to covering the installation fee.
Image: © Jason French
