History Browser

A bibliography aimed at collectors or researchers of World War I medals, badges and insignia. Includes lists of decorations, price guides, and catalogues.

This reconstruction by Michel Pétard shows a drummer of the régiment de Carignan-Salières during the regiment's service in New France. He is wearing the livery of the princes of Carignan. The Carignan coat of arms is painted on his drum; the central shield of the arms shows a white cross on a red field. The drummer's role was to communicate the orders of his commander through patterns of drum beats. (Canadian Department of National Defence)

Sailing west from Bristol in the south west of England in May 1497, Cabot sighted land on 24 June. This was probably Newfoundland but also possibly Cape Breton Island. Cabot took possession of his discovery for England, which gave that country its first claim of trans-Atlantic territory.

Among the German mercenary troops arriving at Quebec in 1776 was a unit of cavalry from Brunswick. Dragoner-Regiment Prinz Ludwig (or 'Prince Ludwig's Dragoon Regiment') was supposed to be given horses in North America, and wore high leather riding boots. Still waiting for horses, they marched south with General Burgoyne's army in 1777 and were captured after the British defeat at Saratoga. Recruits sent from Brunswick allowed the regiment to be reformed at Quebec in 1781. This man's uniform is in the traditional cornflower blue of the Brunswick dragoons. He holds a swallow-tailed cavalry flag called a guidon. Its pole is made in the form of a joisting lance, a fashion of the time. In the centre of the guidon is white horse of Niedersachsen, the crest of the Dukes of Brunswick. Confusingly, a very similar white horse of Hanover was used on British flags at this time. Reconstruction by Gerald A. Embleton. (Parks Canada)

During the first years of World War One, soldiers of the Canadian Expeditionary Force wore the khaki tunic adopted by the Canadian Militia in 1903. Unit badges on hats and collars were often shaped like a maple leaf. Infantrymen carried the Canadian Ross rifle, a long and heavy weapon that was a fine target rifle, but which gave poor performance when dirty or wet. Many of these Canadian distinctions disappeared in 1916, when the CEF was equipped with steel helmets, British Short Model Lee-Enfield rifles and uniforms patterned on the looser and more comfortable British model. Reconstruction by Ron Volstad. (Canadian Department of National Defence)

Online article about the formation of the Canadian Women’s Army Corps during the Second World War, a milestone in the history of women’s participation in the Canadian military. Includes reading list.

When the Château Saint-Louis in Quebec was built, this Cross of Malta was carved in a stone bearing the date 1647. Charles Huault de Montmagny was governor at that time. He was knight of the Order of Malta as was at least one other of his officers in Canada. The stone was found in 1784 during renovations to the governor’s residence and eventually incorporated into a courtyard entrance of the Château Frontenac Hotel.

Photographs of the Salvation Army insignia and badges that were used on their uniforms during the Second World War.

This document provides detailed descriptions and background on the headgear, footwear, and insignia worn by the 2nd (Special Service) Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment of Infantry, Royal Canadian Dragoons, Canadian Mounted Rifles, and Royal Canadian Field Artillery.

The Canadian Museum of Civilization provides a searchable catalogue of its collections. The types of artifacts found in their database include archaeological specimens, Aboriginal art, furniture, artwork, military objects, glass, porcelain, and textiles.