Researching Canadian Veteran Military Records

Many people are interested in knowing more about their fathers and relatives who served in the Canadian Army. It is very important for you to preserve this history, for both your family heritage and for Canadian history. It is an honor to know a veteran, and to help preserve the memory of their sacrifice.

There are some excellent web sites that can help you obtain more information about the veteran you are researching.
1. You can send away for individuals military records through the Library and Archives Canada. You will have to fax a request form with surname, full given name(s), date of birth, and service number or social insurance number. Library and Archives Canada - Canadian Military Personnel Records
Application For Military Service Information

2. You can also send away for regimental war diaries. Your library can order the diaries on microfilm for you to search through. You will have to search through many diary pages for information that relates to the individual that you are researching. At the site link below search for the regiment the veteran was assigned to (ex: Fort Garry Horse). Library and Archives Canada - Online Research Tool - Search for Regimental War Diaries

If you are fortunate enough to know someone who served in World War II, make sure you record all the information you can. Make note of his rank, regiment, company or squadron he served in. Write down some of the stories of joining up, training, going overseas, where he was stationed and the battles. If you have his service medals and the cap badge (which identifies the regiment he served with), make sure you hang onto these. These are valued by collectors but they are worth more for their sentimental value. Consider these priceless family heirlooms.

In the book, D-Day The Greatest Invasion - A Peoples History, J.L. Granatstein eloquently states: "Canadians need to know of this. We need to learn of the great regiments that won the victory, units composed of men from all across this great land.... We also need to understand the great courage of all those young men who faced the enemy's fire and, conquering their understandable fear, stayed to fight and to support their friends and honor their country. A band of brothers? Without a doubt. Our greatest generation? Absolutely."