The Canadian Department of Militia and Defence was created in 1868 through the Militia Act. It oversaw Canada's military activity until 1922 when it was absorbed the new department of National Defence.
Frederick Gerald MacLellan was born in Campbellton, New Brunswick on July 21, 1893. A topographer by trade, Gerald enlisted (service number 167081) in the Canadian Expeditionary Force in late September, 1915 and served in an artillery brigade. After training in Britain he was sent to France on active duty on March 2, 1916. He took part in many battles including the Battle of Vimy Ridge. While recovering from trench fever in hospital in 1917 he received further training as a signaler. By April 2, 1918 he was back in active service in France. MacLellan returned home to New Brunswick just after the armistice in January, 1919.
Simon Wellington Livingston was born in Ontario on the 25th of August 1882. A blacksmith by trade, he enlisted with the Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force on March 16th 1916 and fought with the infantry in the 31st Battalion. He died March 21st 1968 in Calgary, Alberta.
Margaret Hare served as a nurse in the First Canadian Expeditionary Force during WWI at the No. 2 Stationary Hospital.
Alice Evelyn Blake, from Calgary, volunteered to serve in the Women's Royal Canadian Naval Service in World War II. A postcard of the Royal Canadian Naval College in British Columbia indicates she likely received some training there. When she was called to active service on September 23, 1944, she was stationed in Regina, Saskatchewan. She was sent on draft to Galt, Ontario to receive training as a Probationary Sick Berth Attendant. Luggage tags included in the collection indicate that she was initially stationed at HMCS Cornwallis and was later transferred to HMCS Stadacona in Halifax.
Henry Percival Wheatley was born in Ireland on March 12, 1891. He enlisted in the Canadian Expeditionary Force at Winnipeg, in 1915 and served as a Sergeant with the 101st Battalion.
Frank Wolk served in the Royal Canadian Corps of Signals, Motor Transport. He worked on the building and development of the “Diefenbunker” in Carp, Ontario from 1958-1962 and was among those locked inside for two weeks during the Cuban Missile Crisis.
Fred Charles Billings was born on August 3rd, 1890 in Lindsay, Ontario. A farmer by trade, Billings enlisted with the 1st Battalion Manitoba Regiment in June of 1918 and served with the Canadian Expeditionary Force in France as a member of the 3rd Canadian Infantry Working Company during WWI.
Arthur McAllister was born in 1898 in Innisfail, Alberta. At the time of his enlistment with the 187th Battalion on June 12, 1916, McAllister listed his occupation as "farmer." McAllister was wounded in combat on August 25th, 1917 and died of his wounds five days later.