Collection F0054 - CMHQ and RCCS War Diaries Collection

Identity area

Reference code

CA ACU TMM F0054

Title

CMHQ and RCCS War Diaries Collection

Date(s)

  • 1939-1946 (Creation)

Level of description

Collection

Extent and medium

1 Hollinger box containing:
2 microfilm reels
.5 cm of textual records

Context area

Name of creator

(1903-1969, 2013-)

Administrative history

Major Wallace Bruce Matthews Carruthers established a militia (Non-Permanent Active Militia) component of signallers under the designation "Signalling Corps" on 24 October 1903,[2] making it the first independent signal corps in the British Empire. It was redesignated "The Canadian Signal Corps" on 4 June 1913. On 1 April 1919 as part of the restructuring based on experiences during the Great War, a regular (Permanent Active Militia) component was established as the "Canadian Signalling Instructional Staff". This was redesignated "The Canadian Permanent Signal Corps" on 15 December 1920. Shortly thereafter, on 15 June 1921, King George V, the Canadian monarch, bestowed on the permanent force portion of the organization the title "The Royal Canadian Corps of Signals". Meanwhile, on 1 August 1921, the militia component was re-titled "Canadian Corps of Signals"; re-designated "Royal Canadian Corps of Signals" on 29 April 1936 (as part of the larger military restructuring that year); and finally aligned in nomenclature with the regular component as "The Royal Canadian Corps of Signals" on 22 March 1948, after the conclusion of the Second World War.

The badge of The Royal Canadian Corps of Signals consisted of a circle, with a Tudor Crown on top with the text Royal Canadian Corps of Signals around the edge. At the center of the circle is the Roman God Mercury (mythology). At the bottom is a ribbon with the text "Velox, Versutus, Vigilans" and eight maple leaves. The Royal Canadian Corps of Signals was responsible for land communication and signalling.

When the Canadian Army, Royal Canadian Air Force and Royal Canadian Navy were unified in 1968 to form the Canadian Forces, the RCCS was amalgamated into the Canadian Forces' Communications and Electronics Branch.

On 19 April 2013, Minister of National Defence, Peter MacKay, announced that the historical designation of "Royal Canadian Corps of Signals" would be restored for the army component within the Communications and Electronics Branch.

Wikipedia contributors, "Royal Canadian Corps of Signals," Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia,https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Canadian_Corps_of_Signals (accessed November 16, 2015)

Name of creator

(1940-1948)

Administrative history

On 26 September 1939, the Minister of National Defence authorized the creation of a Canadian Military Headquarters (CMHQ) overseas. This headquarters held responsibility for coordinating the arrival, quartering, completing equipment requirements, and training of Canadian Active Service Force units and formations and to command and administer these units and formations in the United Kingdom and at base in the theatre of operations. In addition, the headquarters had an important liaison role, particularly liaison with the War Office and with the General Officer Commanding (GOC) Canadian Forces in the theatre of operations, as well as furnishing information to the Canadian High Commissioner in London.

Archival history

Immediate source of acquisition or transfer

Donated by Beryl Ann Williams, July 2015.

Content and structure area

Scope and content

Collection consists of two microfilm reels (T-21322 & T-21377) produced by Library and Archives Canada containing photo duplicates of war diary material ca. WWII and indexes to their contents. Also includes a table noting the frequency of air raid warnings recorded by the Canadian Corps of Signals in Ashtead between August 1940-July 1941. Material was used by donor in her capacity as a researcher on the history of Ashstead, Surrey, England during WWII.

Appraisal, destruction and scheduling

Accruals

No further accruals are expected.

System of arrangement

Conditions of access and use area

Conditions governing access

No restrictions on access. Material must be viewed in Special Collections Department at the University of Calgary Library. One week notice is required to arrange this.

Conditions governing reproduction

Archival materials do not circulate and must be consulted in the TMM Library and Archives Reading Room. Duplication of materials in the collection may be subject to copyright and other restrictions. Please contact TMM Library and Archives staff for guidance on reproduction.

Language of material

  • English

Script of material

    Language and script notes

    Physical characteristics and technical requirements

    A microfilm reader is required to access this material.

    Finding aids

    Allied materials area

    Existence and location of originals

    Originals held by Library and Archives Canada.

    Existence and location of copies

    Related units of description

    Related descriptions

    Notes area

    Alternative identifier(s)

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    Subject access points

    Place access points

    Name access points

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    Description control area

    Description identifier

    Institution identifier

    Rules and/or conventions used

    Status

    Level of detail

    Dates of creation revision deletion

    Collection processed by Jason Nisenson, November 2015.

    Language(s)

      Script(s)

        Sources

        Archivist's note

        This AtoM record created by Jason Nisenson, November 2015.

        Accession area