Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

1. Contact Veterans Affairs for more information on services and benefits.
2. Missing a Medal or Two?
3. Obtain military service records.
4. Find the whereabouts of a veteran.
5. Know where a veteran is buried.
6. Obtain information from the Books of Remembrance.
7. Merchant Navy

How do I contact Veterans Affairs?

In recognition of the sacrifices made by Canadians in this nation's war and peacekeeping efforts, Canada offers a wide range of services and benefits to qualified veterans and certain civilians, as well as to their dependants or survivors. Veterans Affairs Canada provides disability pensions, economic support allowances, and additional benefits in the areas of health care, funeral and burial assistance and commemoration, among others, designed to meet the changing needs of veterans.

Inquiries about Veterans Affairs services and benefits should be directed to Veterans Affairs Canada's toll-free number.

General inquiries to Veterans Affairs may be directed through the Veterans Affairs web site to information@vac-acc.gc.ca.

Missing a Medal or Two?

In 1949, the Government of Canada awarded campaign stars and medals to service men and women who earned them. The medals were sent to the last known address on the individual's service records at the time. Many medals were returned undelivered. To try to reach as many Veterans as possible, application cards were given out at post offices across the country and Veterans had to apply for their medals. Many years later, it appears not all of you who were eligible received those forms. The Year of the Veteran has led to a sharp increase in requests to our Honours and Awards Section here at VAC.

Requests for medals have come in from Veterans, families of deceased Veterans, as well as requests for general information, verification for additional awards, and much more. When we get a request, we must in turn request the service documents from Library & Archives Canada. The records are reviewed to find out which medals the Veteran is entitled to and then the medals are mailed out.

To find our more or if you think your may be eligible for medals write to us at :
Veterans Affairs Canada
Honours & Awards Section
66 Slater Street, Room 1411
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0P4

Helpful Tips When Applying for Medals:

1. If you are a Veteran looking for your own medals call 1 877 995-5003 instead of writing for a form. Someone will take your information over the phone.
2. When a Veteran is deceased, relatives must ask for an application form for the medals of a deceased Veteran.
3. VAC awards medals to men and women who served in the First World War, the Second World War, and the Korean War only.
4. If you served with the Canadian Merchant Navy call the Merchant Navy Registry in Charlottetown at 1 888 289-8512.
5. If you served after the Korea War, and you must call National Defence at: 1 877 741-8332 for medals such as: Canadian Forces Decorations, United Nations Medal for Emergency Force, Egypt, Peace Keeping Medal, or the Special Service Medal, etc.
6. If you are looking for copies of service records or any information about the service of an individual, call Library & Archives Canada at 1 866 578-7777.
7. The procedures are the same if you are asking for medals for the very first time or looking to replace lost or stolen medals.

Where can I apply for the new Peacekeeping Medal?

The Peacekeeping Medal is issued by National Defence and applications may be submitted by calling this toll free number: 1-877-741-8333.

I served as a Radar Mechanic during the Second World War and was told that a Certificate was available. Where can I apply?

If you served in the RCAF and were a Radar Mechanic attached to the RAF during the Second World War, a certificate of appreciation from the British Air Ministry of Defence is available. If you have not received your certificate please write to Veterans Affairs Canada, Honours & Awards, in order to have your entitlement verified and the certificate issued. Family members of a deceased veteran can also apply. Please not that only one certificate per Radar Mechanic will be issued.

Can I wear my father's (brother's, relatives') medals?

Medals may only be worn by the veteran. It is a criminal offense to wear military medals that someone else has earned.

Can I purchase another set of medals for my children/grandchildren even if a set is already in existence?

Veterans Affairs Canada issues only one set of medals. If additional sets are required you may wish to contact a military outfitter and purchase miniature commemorative medals.

Where can I purchase miniature medals?

Miniature medals are not issued by Veterans Affairs Canada. Please contact a military outfitter in your area.

I need to get my medals mounted and cleaned. Is there such a service available?

Medals issued by Veterans Affairs Canada do not come mounted. Please contact a military outfitter in your area.

I need new ribbons. Where can I obtain new ones?

Veterans Affairs Canada provides veterans and their families with new ribbons at no cost. We will require the name of each medal in order to identify which ribbons are needed. For ribbons of medals not handled by Veterans Affairs Canada, please contact a military outfitter in your area.

I need a new mounting bar. Where can I obtain one?

Veterans Affairs Canada does provide new mounting bars at no cost. We have one to five medal bars available.

Is there a charge involved in replacing medals?

Only the first issue of medals is sent free of charge. A replacement set, however, is available at cost if the first set of medals has been lost or destroyed. The price for each medal varies, and, therefore, the cost may vary.

I served in the Canadian Forces and I lost my discharge button. Can I get another one?

Yes. Please write to Veterans Affairs Canada and a replacement discharge button and certificate will be sent after a review of your service documents. We issue buttons for the First World War, the Second World War and Korea

Where can I purchase a replacement cap, hat or air gunner badges, etc.?

Badges and insignias are available from a military outfitter.

Where can I get a replacement of my Operational Wings?

Operational Wings are available from National Defence.

I am a Merchant Seaman and my Discharge Certificate (Book) has been lost or stolen. Is it possible to obtain a copy?

The Merchant Navy Registry does not have copies of these certificates but can provide you with a Statement of Sea Service which shows your service on Canadian registered ships.

I would like to obtain a copy of my discharge certificate or a statement of service.

The National Archives of Canada has military records and a request can be sent to them in order to receive a copy of your discharge certificate. A statement of service is also available. Statement of Services are no longer available for individuals who served in the First World War.

I served in the Second World War and was part of the Battle of Normandy. I heard a new medal was available. Where can I obtain one?

The French Government did issue a commemorative medal in 1994 to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Battle of Normandy. Unfortunately, the medal was only available in a limited issue and we have been informed that it is no longer available.

What order should medals be mounted?

Information can be found in the section on mounting and wearing of campaign stars and medals.

Where would I obtain military service records?

The National Archives of Canada holds the personnel files of over 5,500,000 former military and civilian employees of the Canadian Armed Forces and the Federal Public Service. Documents in these records contain information about the individual's employment history with Federal Departments, the military units with which he or she served, pension details (if available), as well as personal information. Post First World War military records also include medical history on enlistment and discharge, medals awarded, personal evaluation reports and dental charts.

Visit the National Archives Military and Civilian Personnel Records web site for more information on the services they provide including: The First World War records for the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) database; War Diaries; How to request information from the personnel records unit and the information you will need to provide to process your request. Snail mail address: Personnel Records Unit, Researcher Services Division, National Archives of Canada, 395 Wellington Street, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0N3.

How do I seek out information about a veteran?

If you're looking for a lost comrade, try writing to Legion Magazine which has a column entitled Lost Trails. Lost Trails helps to locate veterans, military personnel, RCMP and their families. It is essential to have enough service and personal information to clearly identify the individual or individuals sought.. Entries are published on a space-available basis. Items must be received by mail or fax. To ensure accuracy, you should type the information or at least print it clearly. Mail items directly to: Legion Magazine, 407-359 Kent Street, Ottawa, Ontario K2P 0R6, or faxed to (613) 233-7159. Visit the Royal Canadian Legion homepage.

As well, visit our Links page to find various Veterans' Organizations and groups that have Websites.

I would like to know where a veteran is buried?

Over 110,000 Canadians and Newfoundlanders made the ultimate sacrifice in World Wars One and Two. Thanks to the generosity of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, you can now search the Canadian and Newfoundland database to find the final resting places or memorials in which these brave souls are honoured.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission marks and maintains the graves of the members of the forces of the Commonwealth who died in the two world wars, to build and maintain memorials to the to the dead whose graves are unknown, and to keep records and registers. Visit the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Website for more information or write to Commonwealth War Graves Commission, Canadian Agency, 66 Slater Street, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0P4.

How do I get more information on the Books of Remembrance?

The Books of Remembrance on the Veterans Affairs site contains a Frequently Asked Questions document which has more information on the Books.

Copies of particular pages may be obtaining by contacting memoriam@parl.gc.ca.