FINDING MILITARY RECORDS of FORMER MEMBERS of THE ESSEX AND KENT SCOTTISH and predecessor regiments

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1 FINDING MILITARY RECORDS of FORMER MEMBERS of THE ESSEX AND KENT SCOTTISH and predecessor regiments Prepared by Lieutenant-Colonel (Retired) Hardy Wheeler Correct to June 14, 2015

2 The Regimental Artifacts are under the care of The Essex and Kent Scottish Regiment Association Often the Regiment is asked, either in person or via our web site, about family members who served in the Regiment during peace or war. These queries are usually passed to the regimental Association that has ownership, ready access and responsibility of care for the artifacts of the Essex and Kent Scottish, and its predecessors. This aide memoire is intended to answer questions on what records, documents and photos comprise the regimental collection and how to access historical information about those who served in the Regiment.

3 Conserving our collection Over the years the Association has been a responsible steward of the collection: Annually the collection is inspected and the catalogue is updated. Since 1995 many artifacts are on permanent loan to Leddy Library, University of Windsor for security of irreplaceable items and storage in climate controlled facilities. These artifacts are available for public viewing. In 1997 the Second World War Essex Scottish war diaries were copied. These are available to the public for viewing by appointment. In 2006 a history of the Regiment, Duty Nobly Done, covering the period from 1800 to the present was published. Limited copies are still for sale. Click on the book picture at home page. In 2011 the Association applied for a Trillium Foundation grant to conserve, digitize and widely distribute the visual history on DVDs. Unfortunately, our request was denied. We continue to search for funding to undertake this important task.

4 Samples of our Regimental Artifacts

5 The E&K Scot collection includes: scrapbooks, photos, news clippings, official war diaries of The Essex Scottish Regiment, personal memorabilia, medals, personal diaries, POW trinkets, documents. approximately 30,000 individual items. The collection does not include: Personal files of soldiers who served in 18th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force during the First World War; or The Essex Scottish Regiment and The Kent Regiment during the Second World War. Records of service for any soldiers who are no longer serving in the Regiment. Upon release from the Army files are shipped to National Defence Headquarters and end up in the Government of Canada archives. The War Diary of The Kent Regiment during the Second World War.

6 More samples of our Regimental Artifacts

7 GENERAL INFORMATION Except for the acquired collection of regimental artifacts the Regiment and its Association do not have any personal military records or rolls of those who formerly served in the Regiment and its predecessors. The best source of information is Library and Archives Canada. Details below. Visit Veteran Affairs Canada Canadian Virtual War Memorial for basic info on war dead since the Korean War including where they are buried PLUS 1,500 personal accounts added by families Visit Historica-Dominion Institute for testimonials of veterans from the Second World War Visit Commonwealth War Graves Commission for specific details for burial site and directions for Canadians buried overseas

8 GENERAL INFORMATION Windsor Historical Society Veterans Memories contains memories of Windsor- Essex County veterans. This site is maintained by the Windsor Public Library University of Windsor, Leddy Library archives contains limited information on those who served in E&K Scot and its predecessors Windsor s Community Museum has general info on the Regiment in Essex County Windsor Public Library has census data not on the internet and extensive newspaper clippings Chatham-Kent Museum has paper clippings and artifacts of the Kent Regiment Chatham Public Library has census data not on the internet and extensive newspaper clippings

9 Library and Archives Canada ACCESSING MILITARY RECORDS

10 Canadian Forces before 1914 Everybody has access to these records. Militia -most men served -search Government of Canada files database -search muster rolls and pay lists for regiment or county at Record Group 9 -key words ESSEX or KENT Search for British military serving in Canada at Record Group 8

11 sample muster roll

12 Government of Canada Files - samples File Title: 1st Regiment, Essex Militia - Regimental & Company Rolls Outside Dates: Finding Aid number: Reference: RG9, Militia and Defence, Series I-B-7, Volume 32, Reel T-10388, Access code: 90 File Title: 21st Essex Fusiliers 1915/ /12 Finding Aid number: Reference: RG9, Militia and Defence, Series II-F-9, Volume 27, Access code: 90

13 First World War go to Canadian Expeditionary Force go to Soldiers of the First World War need surname & given name to search for records everyone has access to Attestation Paper In 2014, Library and Archives Canada began a project to digitize and make publically available the files of all those who served in the Canadian Expeditionary Force. The project will be completed in 2018 and every two weeks more files are made available. some useful documents are Casualty Form Active Service and hospital records unit war diaries are available on-line, e.g. 18th Battalion

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15 Canadian Forces after 1918 (including Second World War) Open Records for those who died in service -Basic info is available on-line to everybody -Family may order full copy, genealogy package or visit. See below Restricted Records are all others who served including those who died after the war -no access on-line at this time -Only family may request these records -submit Application Form with proof of death (an obituary) & proof of relationship - Cost is $0.40 per page & several months

16 For instructions and a printable copy of the application for go to : 022/f2/ e.pdf

17 RESOURCES (War Diaries of the First World War) (Commonwealth War Graves Commission) (current units that perpetuate C.E.F. battalions of WWI)

18 RESOURCES WINDSOR-ESSEX (Windsor Historical Society project) CHATHAM -KENT Mr. Jerry Hind at or (extensive data base on WWI and WWII soldiers from Kent County) Chatham Public Library at 120 Queen St., Chatham, ON, N7M 2G6 or (indexed microfilm of city newspapers from c1850)