Currie, Colonel Archibald Russell Biography 1991

CURRIE, Col (Archibald) Russell, DSO 1945, OBE 1951
Retired Civil, Military and Safety Engineer
Born Napier, 12 November 1910, son of Archibald Ernest Currie and Jessie (nee Russell); married Evelyn Emma Alford, daughter of W H Alford, 1937; one daughter.
Education: Wairoa Primary School; Wellington College; Victoria University; Canterbury University, Bachelor of Engineering (Civil) 1938; AMNZIE 1941, MNZIE 1965, Registered Engineer 1961. Enlisted Wellington Division RNZNVR, 1928 (leading seaman, transferred to NZ Staff Corps); Clerical cadet in PWD, 1929, Ashley River Control Scheme 1935, Structural Engineer, HO, PWD 1936; Lieutenant, NZ Staff Corps 1937, Adjutant 2nd Fd Company, RNZE 1937, Adjutant, 3rd Fd Coy and Works Officer, Southern Military District 1938, CO, 8th Fd Coy, RNZEF 1940, wounded at Alamein 1942, Commandant and Chief Instructor, 8th Army Sch of Minefield Clearance, Burg el Arab 1942, rejoined 2 NZ Division 1942, wounded at Nofilia 1942, Tripoli 1943, CO, 7th Fd Company, RNZE 1943, returned to NZ 1944; Assistant Director, Fortification and Works, Army Head Quarters 1945, Chief Engineer 1951, discharge from Army 1960; Safety Engineer, Department of Labour, 1961; instituted exam and certificate of scaffolders, construction blasters, 1965; retired 1975.
Sports: Canterbury University rowing eight, 1935.
Recreations: gardening, active Freemasonry and Masonic research.
Address: 32 Wilford Street, Lower Hutt.