Did you know that the Canadian Government is in the process of digitizing all the Great War Service Records? It is a fantastic way to reconnect with the men who served in the Canadian Expeditionary Force during World War One. All you need to know is the full name of someone who served and plug it into the search fields. 

During a recent search I was able to find the service records for my Great-Grandfather who joined the 116th Ontario County Battalion on September 15, 1915.  He was transferred to the 18th Battalion (Western Ontario)  on arrival in France. He fought at Vimy Ridge and was wounded on August 15, 1917 at the Battle of Hill 70, with gun shot wound to the right arm. After healing from that he was sent back to the front and was wounded again on June 2, 1918 by a high velocity shell fragment to his chest and his back. This wound ended his fighting days at the front, and he was eventually discharged on January 28, 1919. 

The interesting thing is that there is a wealth of secondary information found in these documents, like the address he was living at. Which I was able to plug into Google and find the house which still stands. The papers also listed that his father was deceased but his mother was still living, giving her address too. We also know how much he weighed, his height (5'3"), hair colour, eye colour, etc. it's an amazing way to touch base with your ancestors.  

Not every soldier has the full service records digitized yet, but the least they will have is the Attestation Papers, where they signed up to the C.E.F.. Keep checking back to the site because they add complete records all the time, and there is a spot to request documents. 

You can find the site at Library and Archives Canada HERE. 

As a footnote the 18th Battalion fought with the 2nd Division, where both the 26th New Brunswick Battalion and the 27th Winnipeg Battalion who captured the gun that sits in Hopewell Cape fought. It all ties in. 

Now that's a story worth saving!

The Victory Cannon Campaign is raising funds to restore the two captured World War One cannons situated in the square in Hopewell Cape. These cannons were captured by Canadians during the Great War, and were awarded to the people of Albert County.  You can donate online to the Victory Cannon Campaign here, and best of all you'll be sent a tax receipt!  Click Here to Donate!