War Diaries

Army

War diaries are a day-to-day description of unit activities for army units in active service, and contain information about unit location and the military operations in which it may be involved. The diaries rarely mention individuals by name, with the exception of some references to officers.

Navy

Ship logs constitute a ship's official record, containing information about routine shipboard activities at sea and in harbour, as well as weather and sea conditions, all movements of the ship, details of operational exercises and special events such as visits by senior military personnel. Little or no personal information about individuals is entered in these records.

Air

Operations Record Books outline the activities and flying operations of a Royal Canadian Air Force unit. If the unit is an operational one (i.e., 419th Squadron), they will include details of missions flown and lists of aircraft and aircrew involved.

Research at Library and Archives Canada

First World War

Army

War diaries for the Army in the First World War (RG 9 IIID3) are being digitized and can be viewed online. Records not yet digitized are availableon microfilm.

• War Diaries of the First World War
  
• Unit name field: battalion number or name, for example "102nd" or "Royal Canadian Dragoons"

Navy

Ships logs for Canada's naval vessels can be identified in our Government of Canada Files database:

• Select the Detailed Search Screen
• Finding Aid: 24-87
• Keyword: name of ship (e.g. Niobe)

Air

Operational records for the Royal Flying Corps/Royal Naval Air Service/Royal Air Force are in the custody of the National Archives in England, formerly the Public Record Office (Military Records Information Leaflet 70 [http://catalogue.pro.gov.uk/ExternalRequest.asp?RequestReference=ri2274])

Second World War and Korean Conflict

References to some records can be located using the Government of Canada Files database.

Army

Select the Detailed Search Screen.
Keywords: unit name, for example "Royal Canadian Dragoons" or "Princess Patricia's"
Finding Aid: 24-60
Some volumes are available on microfilm.

Navy

Select the Detailed Search Screen.
Keywords: ship's name, for example "Beaver"
Finding Aid: 24-87
This series is not available on microfilm.

Air

Finding Aid 24-104 provides a list of unit Operations Record Books and the relevant volume and microfilm numbers. It is not yet available online; it must be consulted onsite. The actual records are available on microfilm and may be borrowed. Staff can consult Finding Aid 24-104 on your behalf. Use the online Genealogy Inquiry Form and provide specific details, such as dates and the name and number of the unit.