Researching Soldiers from Canada ?

[christerd]

Hi all, is it possible to research soldiers from Canada ? I have a photo of a Captain Brett from Royal Canadian Artillery and wonder if there is any possibility to find out anything about him?

Best regards from Sweden

Christer

[censlenov]

It is possible but the degree of information available depends on the Era your researching. What would you date the photo? I'm assuming ww1 based on the area you posted this but if even just slighlty later data on the man could be hard to find.

Cheers

Chris

Edited April 30, 2010 by censlenov

[peter monahan]

Hi all, is it possible to research soldiers from Canada ? I have a photo of a Captain Brett from Royal Canadian Artillery and wonder if there is any possibility to find out anything about him?

Best regards from Sweden

Christer

Christerd

There are 66 men named Brett listed in the Library and Archives Canada as ser4ving in WWI with the Canadian expeditionary Force. You can see their names and research them at this site: http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/databases/cef/001042-110.01-e.php?PHPSESSID=0qhb99a615aa01ejgbqrudc8d0&q1=brett&q2=&q3=&interval=20

Regards,

Peter

[peter monahan]

Christerd

None of the Bretts listed on the CEF rolls is a Captain but here are the "likeliest suspects", in my opinion.

[The records merely show the Attestation [enlistment] forms but for most of them you can apply for the complete records. The price is very reasonable and the records tend to be medical forms and transfers between units, so of some use.]

Alfred Thomas Brett – enlisted in 70th Overseas Battalion, enlisted with rank of Colour Sergeant, “previous service w. Royal Reg't of Artillery”, commissioned later?

George William Brett - enlisted in 3rd Battery [R Cdn. Arty.], “17 years previous service w. Garrison Artillery, England”

Brett, John - enlisted 49th Battery, Canadian Field Artillery, previous service “4 months in 19th Regiment”

Brett, James Emos - enlisted in 68th O./S.[Overseas Depot] Field Battery, no previous military service but occupation given as “law student” - Officer material?

Brett, Philip - enlisted Canadian Field Artillery Depot D, previous military experience “6 yrs. Manchester Reg”, machinist by trade

Brett, Ronald, Lieutenant - originally enlisted in 2nd Canadian Mounted Rifles, December 8, 1914; and

January 4th, 1917: Officer’s Declaration Paper - Unit: L.S.H.; previous service: “3 Years in H.L.I. [?]

Brett, Sidney Roy - enlisted May 26th, 1917 in a Railway Construction Battalion, occupation “Farmer”; and re-enlisted May 27th, 1918 in ??th Company, Royal Canadian Garrison Artillery, Esquimaux, British Columbia with rank of Gunner

Brett, William Frederick - enlisted 172nd Battalion, CEF with rank of Lieutenant

Edited May 7, 2010 by peter monahan

[censlenov]

Christerd

None of the Bretts listed on the CEF rolls is a Captain but here are the "likeliest suspects", in my opinion.

Actually there was one Captain Brett in the CEF. His Details:

William Brett

Original member of the 2nd CMR with previous service in the BCH.

The link to his papers

http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/databases/cef/001042-119.01-e.php?&id_nbr=63043&interval=20&&PHPSESSID=td4748lvubf4bod76eah6caj00

I don't know if he transfered to the RCA though.

Cheers

Chris

[peter monahan]

Actually there was one Captain Brett in the CEF. His Details:

William Brett

Original member of the 2nd CMR with previous service in the BCH.

Cheers

Chris

My bad! I do remember now looking at him on the list but concluded that a Mounted Rifles officer was a less likely transfer to the Field Artillery than an OR or NCO with gunnery experience. Then, obviously, promptly forgot him when I wrote 'no Captains' [named Brett]. Good for you for double-checking! Us old farts miss stuff. :(

Edited May 8, 2010 by peter monahan