History Browser

On August 6, 1914, a grateful Empire sent word requesting that Canada's offer of soldiers be "dispatched as soon as possible." Presents an overview of the formation of new Canadian military units to help Britain fight the First World War.

Summarizes the third battle of Ypres, called Passchendaele. Includes a map, photos and a link to Archivianet's War Diary Database.

Provides resources for information not available through the War Diaries collection. Includes information on the Newfoundland Regiment at the Somme, origins of battle names, copyright guidelines for documents in the War Diaries, and a useful glossary of terms and abbreviations appearing in the diaries.

Summarizes the Battle of Vimy Ridge fought by the Canadian and British troops in April 1917 to take the ridge back from German occupation. Includes a map, photos, and a link to the ArchiviaNet War Diary Database.

The Canadian ministry of Militia and Defence was established in 1868. The country was originally divided by the ministry into nine Military Districts. Additional districts were added later on.

General advice for Canadians who wish to research the records of family members who served their country during the First World War.

Cambrai is situated in the Nord-Pas de Calais region in northern France. West of Cambrai lies the Canal-du-Nord, whose construction at the outbreak of war had been left incomplete, a serious obstacle to Allied troops advancing from the west. The battle towards Cambrai dealt a mortal blow to a weakened, but resistant, German enemy in the course of the last 100 days of the Great War. Includes map, photographs, and a link to Archivianet's War Diary Database.

The attempt by Canadian military authorities to impose a British military tradition on the whole of the population during the years following Confederation in 1867 led to a lack of support by Francophones for the Militia. Each linguistic community mistrusted the other's motives.

Summarizes the Battles of the Somme, fought by the Canadian troops against the Germans in autumn of 1916. Links to Archivianet's War Diary Database.

Canada's regular army emerged from the war with two new regiments, one of which was francophone, that formed the professional core for the Canadian Army Corps. A Non-Permanent Militia was planned with a fifteen division structure. There was considerable debate over merging the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) units into the militia.