Title and statement of responsibility area
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Class of material specific details area
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Dates of creation area
Date(s)
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1733-1972 (Creation)
Physical description area
Physical description
27.72 m of textual records
11 pictures : b&w ; 35 x 28 cm or smaller
1 watercolour portrait
Publisher's series area
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Archival description area
Name of creator
Administrative history
The Army Historical Section had its origins in the Canadian War Records Office and Canadian War Narrative Section, organized in London during the First World War. By an Order in Council of January 17, 1917 (P.C. 19), Brig. Gen. E.A. Cruikshank was attached to the Record Office and assigned the task of collecting "material and records necessary to compile the history of the present war so far as the same more particularly relates to the work undertaken and carried out in Canada". In the execution of these duties, Cruikshank was under the direct control of the Adjutant General. By P.C. 2814 of 15 November 1918 he was transferred to the Chief of the General Staff and became the "Director of the Historical Section of the General Staff". In 1919 the Canadian War Narrative Section was transferred to Canada and amalgamated with the Historical Section in June 1921. Initially the Section was charged with the responsibility of preparing the official history of Canadian participation in the First World War, and, as well, oversaw the writing of regimental histories and, in general, answered inquiries relating to the military history of Canada. In 1945 responsibility for the writing of the history of the First World War was passed to the C.E.F. Historian and the Historical Section concentrated its efforts on official histories of the Canadian Army in the Second World War and, later, in the Korean War. In 1964 the historical sections of the three armed services were integrated as the Armed Forces Directorate of History. In August 1996, the Directorate of History was amalgamated with the Directorate of Military Traditions and Heritage to form the Directorate of History and Heritage (DHH).
Custodial history
Scope and content
Fonds consists of the sketch histories of the infantry, armoured and artillery units of the Canadian Army. Also includes administrative directives on diverse subjects of interest to the army. There are also various lists of files and documents either retained or destroyed in the Historical Section, and the preliminary narratives of official histories of the Canadian Army. Fonds is comprised of the following series:
I. The Regiments and Corps of the Canadian Army
II. Subject files
III. Kardex files
IV. General documents
V. Administrative files
VI. Preliminary narratives
VII. Biographies of military personnel
VIII. Canadian Army Orders (2010/8)
Notes area
Physical condition
Immediate source of acquisition
Passed from the Army Historical Section to DHH. Some uncatalogued material found in DHH's archival storage area and added to Series 5 Sub-Series 12, 30, and 55 on 6 March 2013. The source of acquisition of the documents comprising Series III is unknown.
Arrangement
Language of material
- English
Script of material
Location of originals
Availability of other formats
Restrictions on access
Files 5905-00 and part of File 4-0-2 are Classified and are stored in the Classified Storage Area. The remaining files are unclassified.
Terms governing use, reproduction, and publication
Finding aids
Copies of the finding aid are located in the first file of the fonds and in the Reading Room at the Directorate of History and Heritage. Electronic copies are also available.
Associated materials
For related records concerning the Canadian Army Historical Section please consult the card catalogues in the Document Collection and the Kardex Collection.
Associated records can be found at the National Archives of Canada in RG 24 (Dept. of National Defence) under the Army Historical Section fonds (R112-0-2-e and R112-0-2-F).
Accruals
Further accruals are not expected.
General note
Series II, III, V and VI have been inserted into new folders. Copies of the original folder covers are included.
General note
A copy of the book "The Regiments and Corps of the Canadian Army" is available in the DHH Library under UA 600 R3 1964.
General note
Series I was originally titled Sketch Histories of the Regiments, Corps and Batteries of the Canadian Corps
General note
A copy of the book "The Regiments and Corps of the Canadian Army" is available in the DHH Library under UA 600 R3 1964.
General note
Series 8 is filed under 2010/8. It is closed to researchers unless given permission by the chief archivist
Conservation
Series II, III, V and VI have been inserted into new folders. Copies of original folder covers are included.