Tracing Your Canadian WW1 Army Ancestors

Searching for your Canadian ancestor who enlisted in the CEF (Canadian Expeditionary Force) during the Great War of 1914-1918 is relatively straight forward. All 620,000 Canadians who enlisted in the CEF (not British forces) have been listed in the CEF database.

Below is a brief description of how to access and use the CEF database and send of for copies of your ancestors personal files.
Full in-depth details can be found the HELP PAGES within the CEF database Click to go to CEF Help Pages .

 I will try to concentrate on details that are not covered so deeply on the CEF Database HELP PAGES.

The first thing to do is to find your ancestor on the CEF database Search the database. The more information you can give will help you to narrow down the number of people returned.

Once in the search screen you will be asked to enter your ancestors Surname, Given Names and Regimental numbers.

After the search has been submitted you will be presented with a summary list. If you are lucky and only one name appears on the list then this could well be your man.

If however, there are a number of people listed you will have to try and narrow the list down.

If the names on the summary list are clicked in turn you will be taken to the Detailed Description screen for each record. This screen now shows you amongst others the soldiers birth date (as declared by the soldier on enlistment).
About 16% of the 620,000 attestation papers have been scanned and if they are available for this soldier they will appear as thumb size icons in the Detailed Description screen. There are usually two icons, one for the front and one for the reverse of the Attestation papers.
The Attestation paper itself provides quite a bit of useful information and may help you to decide if this soldier was indeed your ancestor you were searching for.

Attestation Papers contain the following information.

His Name

Place of birth including country

Next-of-kin

Address of next-of-kin

His date of birth

Trade or Calling

Married or single

Any previous service

Apparent Age

Height

Complextion

Eye Colour

Hair Colour

Religious Denomination

You will also find a certificate of medical examination.

Click on an image below to see an example Attestation Paper

Front                                Back

If after reading through the Detailed Descriptions and if present Attestation Papers you are unable to narrow the search down to just one man you can send off a written enquiry for a record search.

Inquiries should be sent to the Personnel Records Unit the address and fax number can be found in the Need Help? pages of the CEF Database. Just click on the heading  How to Consult a Record or Order a Copy.

A possible way of finding your ancestors regimental number or regiment is to check the birth certificates of any of his children born during his army service as they may be listed under Rank or Profession of father.

Once you have positively identified your ancestor you can now send off a fax request for his personal records. This should only cost a few pounds although it may take a few months. Click for details on ordering.

The personal files when they arrive should contain his attestation papers, medical record sheets, pay sheets, details of medals promotions and others depending on individual situations.

An Example of an Active Service Casualty Form

Click on the thumbnail to enlarge image

A Typical Sheet Showing Pay and Allowences

        The daily rate is $1.00 with a Field Allowance of 10c per day

Click on the thumbnail to enlarge image

Home