Researching Military Records

Canadian Forces, Directorate of History and Heritage

• Directorate of History and Heritage (Department of National Defence) Historical reports covering Canadian Forces operations and activities: CMHQ Reports, 1940-1948; AHQ Reports, 1948-1959; CFHQ Reports, 1960-1980;  Archival Holdings; Library Holdings; Publications/Historical Books; Resources available in the DHH Reading Room

Library and Archives Canada

• British Forces in Canada until 1871. "British military and naval records up to and including the First World War are in the custody of the National Archives in England, formerly known as the Public Record Office (PRO), in the War Office and Admiralty series. Library and Archives Canada has acquired copies of some of those records relating to regiments that served in Canada."
• Military Medals - Research at Library and Archives Canada "Library and Archives Canada holds the registers of medals awarded to individuals who saw active service in the: Fenian Raids (1866, 1870), Red River Rebellion (1870), North West Rebellion (1885), South African War (1899-1902)" Also provides contacts for further research on medals and recipients.
• Canadian Forces before 1914
• Canadians Who Served in the South African War  "A total of 7,368 Canadians and 12 Nursing Sisters served in South Africa. This research tool brings together three groups of records pertaining to the South African War: the service files, medal registers and land grant applications."
• Soldiers of the First World War (1914-1918)
• Courts-Martial of the First World War (1914-1918)
• The First World War and Family History.  "Canada's military history is perhaps the most heavily documented aspect of our common experience as a nation. Books and articles on the subject of Canada and war are published in ever increasing numbers, as is clearly shown by the extent of this bibliography."
• War Diaries of the First World War  "This database contains the digitised War Diaries of the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) units. From the start of the First World War, CEF units were required to maintain a daily account of their “Actions in the Field.” This log was called a War Diary. The War Diaries are not personal diaries, rather they are a historical record of a unit’s administration, operations and activities during the First World War."
• War Graves
• Canadian Genealogy Centre, Military Records
• Canadian Forces after 1918 (including the Second World War) "Military personnel files include documentation about enlistment, discharge, military units served with, and may also include other documents concerning medical history, medals awarded, personal evaluation reports and dental charts. There is no online database for these records."
• Second World War Service Files: Canadian Armed Forces War Dead "Over 1,159,000 men and women served in the Canadian Armed Forces during the Second World War (1939-1945); 44,093 lost their lives. This research tool provides access to references to their service files in the Department of National Defence Fonds (RG 24)."

Veterans Affairs Canada

• The Books of Remembrance  "The Books of Remembrance contain the names of Canadians who fought in wars and died either during or after them. All the books are kept in the Memorial Chamber located in the Peace Tower on Parliament Hill. The purpose of creating a site that displays these books on the Internet is to make them more accessible to the public. Quite aptly named are these testaments to Canada's past, for by their very title they remind us to never forget the foundations of courage on which Canada is built."
• The Canadian Virtual War Memorial  "This site contains a registry of information about the graves and memorials of more than 116,000 Canadians and Newfoundlanders who served valiantly and gave their lives for their country. Included on this site are the memorials of more than 100 soldiers who died in service to Canada since the Korean War, including peacekeeping and other operations."

• Canadian Military Medals and Decorations  

• The Mounting and Wearing of Decorations, Campaign Stars, and Medals  "Provided in order that those awarded War Decorations, Campaign Stars and Medals, particularly those earned during the First World War, the Second World War and the Korean War, may know how they should be mounted and worn either on civilian clothes or on uniform."

Commonwealth War Graves Commission

• Commonwealth War Graves Commission "The "Debt of Honour Register" is the Commission's database listing the 1.7 million men and women of the Commonwealth forces who died during the two world wars and the 23,000 cemeteries, memorials and other locations world-wide where they are commemorated. The register can also be searched for details of the 67,000 Commonwealth civilians who died as a result of enemy action in the Second World War."

• Commonwealth War Graves Commission (Government of Canada Site) "On the following pages, you will find a list of the major cemeteries in which Canadians have been buried, and memorials which have been erected in honour of those who fell for their country. Please note that this list is not intended to be exhaustive."

Legion's Magazine's Last Post  "Since 1928, Legion Magazine has honoured those Canadians who have served their country by publishing in print short death notices for Royal Canadian Legion members with military backgrounds, Canadian war veterans and Legion members with police service. With the advent of the Internet, we have created as a historical archive for your free use a Last Post database that goes back to July/August 1993. It contains about 77,500 names, but this number will rise as further entries are published in print and added to the collection twice a year. We will gradually go back further in time as our resources permit."

Awards to the Royal Canadian Navy  "This web site is dedicated to the Men and Women of the Royal Canadian Navy from 1910 to 1968. The majority of the site relates to the Honours and Awards of World War Two with some details on World War One, Korea, the post-war era and Canadians in the Royal Navy prior to World War One. Awards and citations to the Merchant Navy are also included."

How to obtain British Army Service Records, Medals and Information

Canadian Genealogy and History Links - Military

The C.E.F. Paper Trail - "An Unofficial Guide to the Official Canadian Army Service Records from The Great War compiled by Brett Payne of Tauranga, New Zealand"

The London Gazette - Records of publication of honours and awards of the First and Second World Wars can be found by searching the London Gazette.

Canadian Expeditionary Force Study Group; including this section on interpreting CEF personnel records

Canadian Great War Project

Canadian Military Heritage Project"How to Find a Canadian Military Ancestor. Many of the records listed below are those held by the National Archives of Canada. The NAC is not the only source when researching a military ancestor, and we will be adding information to this page as we acquire it. Please scroll down to the War of interest."