Canadian War Records Office- Lombard Street, London

[David_Blanchard]

The Canadian War Records Office (CWRO) in Lombard Street, London was set up by Max Aitken to collect Canadian war diaries - with a view to transcribing these diaries . Initially run by Beccles Willson it was taken over by Arthur Doughty, the Dominion Archivist. This office employed a dozen female copyists. The War Records Office later branched into the collection of photographs and other publications. ( Information from Sandra Gwyn's 'Tapestry of War')

 

Does anyone know what happened to this important archive after the war? I have not seen any transcribed was diaries at the LAC in Ottawa- which I would assume is where they would have been deposited. 

 

 

David 

Edited 10 April by David_Blanchard

[Bob Davies]

1 hour ago, David_Blanchard said:

Does anyone know what happened to this important archive after the war? I have not seen any transcribed was diaries at the LAC in Ottawa- which I would assume is where they would have been deposited

I have no idea David.

I found all I needed from this web site, service record and war Diary, for a soldier in Lord Strathconas Horse.

https://library-archives.canada.ca/eng/collection/research-help/military-heritage/Pages/military-heritage.aspx

Scroll down some on this first page, Click on First World War under 'title' and then you have a list of what they have to click on again.

It was a time ago I used it but I assume it still works.

Best of luck, Bob.

 

[David_Blanchard]

Hi Bob,

 

thanks but I have used the website a lot recently even got a researcher to access none digital files.

one of the problems I have ran into is the lack of maps in Canadian war diaries. I am sure that this archive, if located will have a number of maps.

David

[RussT]

Have you tried asking our Canadian Colleagues on their Forum?

Canadian Expeditionary Force Study Group - Index page (cefresearch.ca)

Russ

[David_Blanchard]

Not yet, but will do now!

 

Thanks,

 

David 

[BradleyShoebottom]

War Diaries have been digitized for almost all units. You can search in collections search under "RG9" + "War Diary" + unit name. https://recherche-collection-search.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/Home/Search

But a better service is this website which isolates the War Diaries from the other several kilometers of First World War documents.

https://canadiangreatwarproject.com/diaries/viewer.php

The Photographs are not as well organized but they are in these lettered series.

https://recherche-collection-search.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/home/record?app=fonandcol&IdNumber=4594161

Library and Archives Canada never culled its First World War records. So for my subject on engineers and Transportation, this has led to needing to consult 1000+ boxes and 1590 files.