On February 27, 1946, my dad received his discharge certificate from the Canadian Army.
Canada made a significant contribution to World War II, considering the country’s population at the time was eleven million people. More than one million Canadians served with 45,000 giving their lives and another 55,000 wounded.
Canada made a significant contribution to World War II, considering the country’s population at the time was eleven million people. More than one million Canadians served with 45,000 giving their lives and another 55,000 wounded.
I think about the 45,000 discharge papers that were never issued. I try to imagine how the families felt with loved ones who went overseas and did not return, the soldiers who were prisoners of war and those missing in action. That trauma has lived on through generations.
As I hold the eight by nine-inch sheet of beige, waxy paper in my hands I also try to imagine how my dad would have felt looking at it. I wonder about the thoughts of the other soldiers who received their discharge certificates. It must have taken until that moment for them to be sure it was happening.
Information on a discharge certificate included the soldier’s name, rank and serial number, where and when they were enrolled, where they served and under what circumstances they were discharged. Medals and decorations received were listed as well as any marks or scars received. Physical description including age, height and complexion, eye and hair color was included. Each certificate was individually typed and stamped with the discharge date and signed by the soldier and their commanding officer.
A military discharge is given when a member of the armed forces is released from his or her obligation to serve. Each country's military has different types of discharge. Types of military discharges for Canadian soldiers can include: honorable discharge, general discharge under honourable conditions, other than honourable discharge, bad conduct discharge, dishonourable discharge, officer discharge and entry level separation if you were deemed unsuitable for service.
Dad was discharged from service in the Canadian Army under Routine Order 1029 5 CI to return to civil life (on demobilization).
Soldiers were to carry their discharge certificate when in uniform and that uniform could only be worn for thirty days after discharge or when duly authorized in writing.
A military discharge is given when a member of the armed forces is released from his or her obligation to serve. Each country's military has different types of discharge. Types of military discharges for Canadian soldiers can include: honorable discharge, general discharge under honourable conditions, other than honourable discharge, bad conduct discharge, dishonourable discharge, officer discharge and entry level separation if you were deemed unsuitable for service.
Dad was discharged from service in the Canadian Army under Routine Order 1029 5 CI to return to civil life (on demobilization).
Soldiers were to carry their discharge certificate when in uniform and that uniform could only be worn for thirty days after discharge or when duly authorized in writing.
At the bottom of the certificate their is a note marked important stating that no other copy would be issued and any person finding a lost certificate was requested to forward it in an unstamped envelope to the Director of Records (Army), Department of National Defence, Ottawa, Canada.
When the soldiers were travelling home on the train from the depot in Regina, they got to discussing the fact that most of their family and friends had never seen them in uniform. The idea to give their families and the community this opportunity took legs and a gathering was held soon after at the Legion Hall in Leask. This gathering provided an opportunity for the community to recognize the soldier’s efforts.
As a teenage girl, Mom said it was an overwhelming sight to see all those men in uniform. It was a proud moment for the community.
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