Military Records

[fredr123]

Last week, my paternal grandfather passed away. It was a sad time for my family and myself because his health had rapidly declined in the past few months. However, he is now able to be with his wife who passed away more than 20 years ago. That's a long time to be without the love of your life.

Anyways, through all of the family gatherings and reminiscing the topic of my grandpa's brother came up. I was vaguely familiar with his story and only knew that he served in the air force during WWII. As some of the pieces come together, the impact of the war has become a lot more personal and meaningful to me. Can't help but feeling proud.

Knowing there are more than a few military buffs on CP, I was wondering if anyone can offer any advice for researching information on Canadian soldiers who were lost in World War II. I've been able to find out a bit so far, mostly from rafcommands.com, but would appreciate any tips you may have or similar experiences you can share.

[Ozy_Flame]

I would contact Dr. David Bercuson at the University of Calgary's Centre for Military and Strategic Studies. He's a great guy, and can definitely lead you in the right path. Also, if you can find his address, email Jack Granastein (sp), one of Canada's foremost leaders in Canadian military history.

[CaptainCrunch]

The museum of the regiments might have some archives that you can look at. You can also go to collections canada

http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/g...022-909-e.html

If you know what unit he served with and the years, you can probably pull up the unit diaries from this site which will give you the day to day activities with that unit.

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame

I would contact Dr. David Bercuson at the University of Calgary's Centre for Military and Strategic Studies. He's a great guy, and can definitely lead you in the right path. Also, if you can find his address, email Jack Granastein (sp), one of Canada's foremost leaders in Canadian military history.

You can also contact Grnastein through ccs21.org.

[tete]

Library and Archives Canada holds WWII records, but they are restricted until 20 years after death of the individual. Small amounts of info will be provided prior to the 20 years date, but to get the whole file, the individual must be deceased more than 20 years.

Here's a link to the LAC that describes post WWI records and access procedures. I also agree that if he served with a Calgary based troop, the Military Museums might be able to provide at least a snapshot of what he experienced.

[4X4]

Originally Posted by tete

Library and Archives Canada holds WWII records, but they are restricted until 20 years after death of the individual. Small amounts of info will be provided prior to the 20 years date, but to get the whole file, the individual must be deceased more than 20 years.

I'm sure there is an interesting explanation for why this is the policy. Anyone know?

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by tete

Library and Archives Canada holds WWII records, but they are restricted until 20 years after death of the individual. Small amounts of info will be provided prior to the 20 years date, but to get the whole file, the individual must be deceased more than 20 years.

Here's a link to the LAC that describes post WWI records and access procedures. I also agree that if he served with a Calgary based troop, the Military Museums might be able to provide at least a snapshot of what he experienced.

Your right, military records are sealed until 20 years after the death of the individual, I think that this was put into place to protect Military secrets, actions and intelligence. A lot of research can be done through the wartime diaries, especially if you know the time served and the unit served with. With the Airforce, they don't have the WWII diaries and beyond, but I believe that you can contact the archives and get copies.

[fredr123]

Thanks for all the tips so far. I know he served with the RAF 172 Squadron Wellington missing/Feb.19, 1944. It would be kind of cool to know more about what his squadrum might have been involved in during the war.

[CaptainCrunch]

http://www.raf.mod.uk/history_old/h172.html

http://www.rafcommands.currantbun.com/Coastal/172C.html

This guy served with the 172 in the later part of 1944

http://www.bbc.co.uk/ww2peopleswar/s...a5796903.shtml

[CaptainCrunch]

British Military National Archives search engine

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/militaryhistory/

[tete]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

Your right, military records are sealed until 20 years after the death of the individual, I think that this was put into place to protect Military secrets, actions and intelligence. A lot of research can be done through the wartime diaries, especially if you know the time served and the unit served with. With the Airforce, they don't have the WWII diaries and beyond, but I believe that you can contact the archives and get copies.

You're right, though 20 years is a "reasonable" amount of time to protect the privacy of the individual (I know, I know, he's already gone, but time sometimes helps soften the blow of releasing records after the death of an individual) - Privacy Acts in Canada vary, in Alberta, for example, Archives of a public body (Prov. Archives of Alberta for example) can release personal information if the individual has been deceased more than 25 years - so in my mind, 20 years isn't bad. In SK, I think it's 30 years.

So I suspect this restriction is less military secrets and more protection of personal privacy.