Military history

Library and Archives Canada (LAC) holds an extensive collection of records of the Canadian men and women who have served their country in military and in the early years of the North West Mounted Police.

Military abbreviations

Service files use many different acronyms. Use this index to better understand them

First World War

Discover the many collections of documents that we hold relating to the First World War

How to ATIP a military record

Learn how to file an ATIP request for military service files

First World War - Personnel records

Search the service records for servicemembers who served in the First World War, 1914 to 1918

Second World War

Second World War - Personnel records

Learn how to access service records for servicemembers who served in the Second World War, 1939-1945.

Second World War

LAC has an extensive collection of material relating to the Second World War. Come and explore

Research guides and other resources

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TitleGuide descriptionTopicSub-topicType of guide
Second World WarLAC has an extensive collection of material relating to the Second World War. Come and explore.Military historySecond World War: 1939-1945Subject guide
War of 1812Check out the collections of material we hold relating to the War of 1812.Military historyWar of 1812Subject guide
War Office records LAC has microfilm copies of some British War Office records that relate to the defence of Canada.Military historyBritish regime: 1760-1865Subject guide
Personnel records for nurses, 1914 to 1918Many Canadians nurses served in the First World War. More information on their personnel files is available here.Military historyFirst World War: 1914-1918Subject guide
How to read documents in First World War service filesHow to understand documents in the service files from the Canadian Expeditionary Force.Military historyFirst World War: 1914-1918How to's
First World War: personnel records Search the service records for servicemembers who served in the First World War, 1914 to 1918.Military historyFirst World War: 1914-1918Subject guide
Military abbreviations used in service filesService files use many different acronyms. Use this index to better understand them.Military historyFirst World War: 1914-1918Index
First World WarDiscover the many collections of documents that we hold relating to the First World War.Military historyFirst World War: 1914-1918Subject guide
Faces of the Second World WarSee what military life was like during the Second World War.Military historySecond World War: 1939-1945Database
Military Medals, Honours and Awards, 1812–1969We hold medal registers, citation cards and other records for various military awards.Military historyHonoursDatabase
South African War, 1899-1902 - Service Files, Medals and Land ApplicationsThe South African War was the first time Canada dispatched troops to an overseas wars. Military historySouth African WarDatabase
War of 1812Explore the names of Canadian militia appearing on documents relating to the War of 1812.Military historyBritish regime: 1760-1865Database
Royal Canadian Navy Service Ledger Sheets, 1910 to 1941Search for personnel records of service members who served with the Royal Canadian Navy.Military historyFirst World War: 1914-1918Database
Personnel Records of the First World War Locate the service files of those who served during the First World War.Military historyFirst World War: 1914-1918Database
Courts-martial of the First World WarCourts martials tried accused service men and women in military courts. Use this database to search for particular cases.Military historyFirst World War: 1914-1918Database
Service Files of the Second World War - War Dead, 1939-1947Over 44,000 Canadian servicemembers died over the course of the Second World War. See their service records in this database.Military historySecond World War: 1939-1945Database
British military and naval records (RG 8, C Series) - Introduction and digitized indexInformation about documents held by the United Kingdom related to the defense of Canada between 1759 and 1871.Military historyBritish regime: 1760-1865Microform
British military and naval records (RG 8, C Series) - Digitized documentsView copies of documents held by the United Kingdom related to the defense of Canada between 1759 and 1871.Military historyBritish regime: 1760-1865Microform
Veterans Death Cards: First World WarVeterans Affairs created a death card when a First World War veteran passed away. These cards are now in the custody of LAC.Military historyFirst World War: 1914-1918Microform
Circumstances of Death Registers, First World WarLAC holds records related to the death of service personnel. They include details about cause of death and location of the first grave site.Military historyFirst World War: 1914-1918Microform
Guide to Sources Relating to Canadian Naval Vessels (1 pdf)Locate records related to specific vessels that served with the Royal Canadian Navy.Military historyGeneralIndex
Guide to Sources Relating to the Canadian Militia (2 pdfs)This guide provides a list of records and files organized by the various militia units that served during military conflicts.Military historyGeneralIndex
Commonwealth War Graves Registers, First World WarThese registers record the location of graves and memorials for service personnel in France, Belgium, and the United Kingdom.Military historyFirst World War: 1914-1918Microform
Guide to Sources Relating to Units of the Canadian Expeditionary Force (31 sub-pages)Identify records relating to specific army units that served in the First World WarMilitary historyFirst World War: 1914-1918Index
War Diaries of the First World WarFrom the start of the First World War, Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) units were required to maintain a daily account of their "Actions in the Field." This log was called a war diary.Military historyFirst World War: 1914-1918
Personnel records of the Second World WarOver 1.1 million Canadians served during the Second World War from 1939 to 1945. Different types of records document their service. On this page you will learn what records exist and how to access them.Military historySecond World War: 1939-1945How to's