karen@hansard.org wrote: ↑Fri Dec 10, 2021 11:31 am
hi Temujin. What would my father's military record provide - where he was stationed, any wounds...? I would be interested in pursuing so yes, please send the links. You've been so helpful. Thanks again. Karen
Excellent:
First, here is the form, that gives “consent” for you to receive his records. Your father would have to sign this form, naming you as the person that can receive them.
https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/Generics/atip ... lingue.pdf
Then this is the form to “request” his military records. First you must agree to the disclosure page, then fill out the form. This is an “informal” request, so it doesn’t cost you anything BUT it can take longer to get the records;
https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/transpare ... x?type=MIL
Now I’ll give you the link to the page that All the above came from
https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/transpare ... forms.aspx
When you fill out the forms, just give as much info as you know, his full name (and I would give them his names as they spell it on some of his records I have posted also)…..his Service Number (which I found for you, and as much info as you know, for example, he was with the 1st Anti-Aircraft Battery, 2nd Cdn Anti-Aircraft Regiment, RCA. DO NOT WORRY, if they ask a question and you don’t know the info, just fill in as much as you know.
Then when LAC receives the info, they will do a quick search to see if they can find the right man…….IF, they have any issues, they will contact you to confirm info or if they found the right person
ALSO, FEEL FREE TO LET ME HELP, if you want
SECONDLY……..the above takes some time (over a year in my father in laws case)
IF you want to get them quicker, you can make a FORMAL REQUEST for the records…..this cost $5.00………the difference is, “by law” they have to reply within a certain amount of days (30 days) and give you the info, or any update……….BUT, be advised, this can take some time also, as all they have to do is give you an “update” every 30 days, which may say “we’re looking into it” , or ‘we found the records but they take time to digitize’ or some other “excuse”……but the records will normally come quicker……..how do I know this, I was an Executive in the Federal Government, I KNOW how it works, and how the “red tape” works
LASTLY
You asked a question about what this will give you (his records)…….it will tell you exactly all the units he belonged to, all his courses, etc etc. It “may” also give you medical info (if he was wounded or went to hospital). It WILL NOT tell you what he did in the units……just who he belonged to……
BUT, be advised, that sometimes a man would get into trouble, be fined, be sent to jail etc etc……..but this was VERY VERY COMMON for all Canadian soldiers at this time….you have to remember these people were NOT Professional soldiers, or use to the life of a soldier……so if they felt like they’d like they needed to go home to see “mom and dad” they did……..they didn’t ask permission……..which of course they NEEDED (and now they were “in trouble” when they got back)……but this was very common for the young soldiers during that time……yes they got in trouble but it wasn’t to bad…….I’ve only seen ONE file in all my time doing this that the man was “very very bad” and spent more time in Prison than in the service and was the ONLY RECORD I saw that they “kicked him out” of the Army.
I don’t think this will be your fathers case, but I always warn people, just in case something “pops up” that surprises them (but I can explain most of these types of issues)
AND LASTLY LASTLY……..military records are VERY HARD to read, as they are written in “military speak” (lots of acronyms etc etc)……I can help “decipher’ them for you if you want. I’ve done this hundreds of times for others. I can give you help with this if you wish. When you get the records, and if you want my help…….just PM me on this site
IF YOU DON’T UNDERSTAND anything above, again, give my a shout, I’ll help
Cheers and good luck