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The C.E.F. Paper Trail : A Guide to Canadian WW1 Service Records
Canadian General Service Cap Badge - Image donated by & © Peter Broznitsky The C.E.F. Paper Trail

An Unofficial Guide to the Official Canadian Army Service Records from The Great War

compiled by Brett Payne of Tauranga, New Zealand

with valuable contributions by many members of the CEF Study Group, including (in no special order) Neil Burns, Peter Broznitsky, Stephen aka N.S. Regt, Chris Wight, Marc Leroux and Terry, as well as fellow C.M.G.C. researcher Hugh Carter.

The first phase of this project has involved the collating of examples of each type of document found in a soldier's World War 1 Canadian Expeditionary Force Service Records. Here you will find a preliminary selection, and I would like to encourage other researchers to contribute more. The guide is designed partly to show prospective researchers what they can expect to find in a soldiers' service records, and partly to answer questions that I have had from fellow researchers wanting to know how they, too, can find out more of their particular soldier's military service. It's important to be aware that you will only find a selection of these records in your particular CEF soldier's file. Please note that some of these images will take a while to download if you are still on dial-up access. I think you will find it's worth the wait to have the extra detail! Please feel free to Email me with any constructive comments, suggestions and contributions.
ATTESTATION and DISCHARGE RECORDS
Form Name and/or Description Pages/
Sides		 Form Number
Date Code		 Examples
Attestation Paper 1 f+r M.F.W. 23 Attestation Paper - Front Attestation Paper - Reverse
Discharge Certificate Type 1a 1 f+r M.F.W. 39a
2-18		 Discharge Certificate Type 1a - Front Discharge Certificate Type 1a - Reverse
Discharge Certificate Type 1b 1 M.F.W. 39a
6-18		 Discharge Certificate Type 1b
Discharge Certificate Type 2a 1 M.F.W. 39A
11-18		 Discharge Certificate Type 2a
Discharge Certificate Type 2b 1 f+r M.F.W. 39A Discharge Certificate Type 2 - Front Discharge Certificate Type 2 - Reverse
Certificate of Service Type 3
Issued to Officers and Nursing Sisters		 1 M.F.W. 2618
4-19		 Certificate of Service - Type 3
Proceedings on Discharge
Type 1		 4 M.F.B. 218
3-16		 Proceedings on Discharge - Page 1 Proceedings on Discharge - Page 2 Proceedings on Discharge - Page 3 Proceedings on Discharge - Page 4
Proceedings on Discharge
Type 2		 4 M.F.B. 218
5-18		 Proceedings on Discharge - Page 1 Proceedings on Discharge - Page 2 Proceedings on Discharge - Page 3 Proceedings on Discharge - Page 4
Proceedings on Discharge
Short Form		 1 f+r M.F.B. 218a
11-18, 3-19		 Proceedings on Discharge - Short Form (Front) Proceedings on Discharge - Short Form (Back)
Unknown Discharge Form 1
Regimental Documents List 1 W. 2589 Descriptive Return
Discharge Documents Envelope 1 M.F.W.62
9-16		 Discharge Documents Envelope
MISCELLANEOUS SERVICE RECORDS
Form Name and/or Description Pages/
Sides		 Form Number
Date Code		 Examples
Descriptive Return 1 f+r B. 241 Descriptive Return
Index Card Type 1a 1 f+r M.F.W. 22
6-10-14
1-15, 9-15
Index Card Type 1b 1 f+r M.F.W. 22
2-16
Index Card Type 1c 1 f+r M.F.W. 22
8-16
Index Card Type 1d 1 f+r M.F.W. 22
11-16
Index Card Type 2
?Discharge		 1
Index Card Type 3
?Discharge		 1
Index Card Type 4 1
Index Card Type 5 1
Index Card Type 6 1 2-21
Index Card Type 7 1 H.C.T. 3019
12/12/16
Index Card Type 8 1 f+r R-113
14/2/17
Index Card Type 9 1 f+r
Index Card Type 10 1 f+r
Record of Service Type 1 2
Record of Service Type 2 2 R-122
25-4-17
Casualty Form Type 1 2 A.F.B. 103
2-15
Casualty Form Type 2a 1 M.F.W. 54/A.F.B. 103
5-16
Casualty Form Type 2b 1 M.F.W. 54/A.F.B. 103
9-16
Casualty Form Type 3a 1 f+r A.F.B. 103
1/17
Casualty Form Type 3b 1 A.F.B. 103
9/17
Casualty Form Type 4 1 R.150
14/12/16
Casualty Report Card Type 1 1 f+r M.F.W. 42
7-15
Casualty Report Card Type 2 1 f+r M.F.W. 42
1-16
Casualty Report Card Type 3 1 f+r M.F.W. 42
4-10-16
Casualty Report Card Type 4 1 f+r M.F.W. 42
4-17, 8-17
Casualty Report Card Type 5 1 f+r M.F.W. 42
28-11-17
Furlough 1 M.F.B. 322
10-18
Medal Index Card Type 1 1
Medal Index Card Type 2 1
Change of Address Form 1 D.19
Form of Will 1 M.F.W.82
MEDICAL RECORDS
Form Name and/or Description Pages/
Sides		 Form Number
Date Code		 Examples
Clinical Chart Type 1 1 A.F.B. 181 Clinical Chart Type 1
Clinical Chart Type 2 1 A.F.B. 181/3
11/14 & 1/15		 Clinical Chart Type 2
Clinical Chart Type 3 1 A.F.B. 181/5
(E. 735)
12/16, 6/17		 Clinical Chart Type 3
Gould's 4 Hour Clinical Chart
Civilian?		 1 Gould's 4 Hour Clinical Chart
Dental Certificate for Demobilization 1 C.A.D.C. 5009A Dental Certificate for Demobilization
Dental History Sheet 1 M.F.B. 465
6-18		 Dental History Sheet
Field Medical Card
 1(4) A.F.W. 3118
16-1-17		 Field Medical Card - Front & Back [Courtesy of Chris Wight] Field Medical Card - Inside [Courtesy of Chris Wight]
1(4) A.F.W. 3118
4-8-17		 Field Medical Card - Front & Back [Courtesy of Chris Wight] Field Medical Card - Inside [Courtesy of Chris Wight]
Hospital Admission/Discharge Sheet 1
Hospital A. & D. Card - Type 1 1 f+r
Hospital A. & D. Card - Type 2 1 DMS 1401
Hospital Document Card 1 f+r DMS 1402
Hospital Movement Card Type 1a 1 R. 149
Hospital Movement Card Type 1b 1 R. 149
Hospital Movement Card Type 1c 1 R. 149
7/2/17
Hospital Movement Card Type 1d 1 f+r
Hospital Movement Card Type 2 1 M.F.W. 2553
12-18
Medical Case Sheet Type 1a 1 f+r A.F.I. 1237/10
1/15		 Medical Case Sheet Type 1a
Medical Case Sheet Type 1b 1 f+r A.F.I. 1237/10
7/15		 Medical Case Sheet Type 1b - Front Medical Case Sheet Type 1b - Reverse
Medical Case Sheet Type 2 1 f+r A.F.I. 1237/11
8/16		 Medical Case Sheet Type 2 Medical Case Sheet Type 2
Medical Case Sheet Type 3a 1 f+r A.F.I. 1237/12
6/12/16		 Medical Case Sheet Type 3a - Front Medical Case Sheet Type 3a - Reverse
Medical Case Sheet Type 3b 1 f+r A.F.I. 1237/12
8/17		 Medical Case Sheet Type 3b
Medical Case Sheet Type 3c 1 f+r A.F.I. 1237/12
1/18		 Medical Case Sheet Type 3c
Medical Case Sheet Type 3d 1 f+r A.F.I. 1237/12 Medical Case Sheet Type 3d
Hospital Card Type 1a 1 f+r D.M.S. 1300
Hospital Card Type 1b 1 f+r D.M.S. 1300
Hospital Card Type 1c 1 D.M.S. 1300
21-1-17
Hospital Card Type 2 1 D.M.S. 1300
30-8-18
Hospital Card Type 3 1
Hospital Card Type 4 1 D.M.S. 1347
Examination by Standing Medical Board, Bramshott 1 D.M.S. 1348
2/12/16		 Examination by Standing Medical Board, Bramshott
Medical Examination Sheet
Type 1		 1 D.M.S. 1375 Medical Examination upon leaving the Service of an Officer fit for general service or a Soldier fit for duty
Medical Examination Sheet
Type 2		 1 f+r M.F.W. 129 Medical Examination upon leaving the Service of Officers and other Ranks who have no Disability (Front) Medical Examination upon leaving the Service of Officers and other Ranks who have no Disability (Back)
Medical Examination Sheet
Type 3		 1 f+r (Front) (Back) Opinion of the Medical Board
Medical History Sheet Type 1 1 f+r M.F.B. 313
8-14		 Medical History Sheet Type 1 - Front Medical History Sheet Type 1 - Back
Medical History Sheet Type 2 1 M.F.B. 313
1-15, 5-15,
11-15		 Medical History Sheet Type 2
Case History Sheet 1 M.F.B. 313a
5-18		 Case History Sheet
Medical History Sheet Type 3a 3 A.F.B. 178
5/15		 Medical History Sheet Type 3a - Page 1 Medical History Sheet Type 3a - Page 2 Medical History Sheet Type 3a - Page 3
Medical History Sheet Type 3b 1 f+r A.F.B. 178
8-15		 Medical History Sheet Type 3b - Front Medical History Sheet Type 3b - Reverse
Medical History of an Invalid - Type 1a 1 f+r M.F.B. 227
8-16		 Medical History of an Invalid Type 1a - Front Medical History of an Invalid Type 1a - Back
Medical History of an Invalid - Type 1b 2 f+r M.F.B. 227
8-18		 Medical History of an Invalid Type 1b - Page 1 Medical History of an Invalid Type 1b - Page 2 Medical History of an Invalid Type 1b - Page 3 Medical History of an Invalid Type 1b - Page 4
Medical History of an Invalid - Type 2 2 f+r I.S.C. 76
9-18		 Medical History of an Invalid Type 2 - Page 1 Medical History of an Invalid Type 2 - Page 2 Medical History of an Invalid Type 2 - Page 3 Medical History of an Invalid Type 2 - Page 4
Medical History of an Invalid
Form to be Used for Officers - Type 3a		 3 M.F.B. 380
6-17		 Medical History of an Invalid (Officers) Type 3a - Page 1 Medical History of an Invalid (Officers) - Type 3a Page 2 Medical History of an Invalid (Officers) - Type 3a Page 3
Medical History of an Invalid
Form to be Used for Officers - Type 3b		 3 M.F.B. 380
9-17		 Medical History of an Invalid (Officers) - Type 3b Page 1 Medical History of an Invalid (Officers) - Type 3b Page 2 Medical History of an Invalid (Officers) - Type 3b Page 3
Medical History of an Invalid
Form to be Used for Officers - Type 4		 2 f+r M.F.B. 380
5-18		 Medical History of an Invalid (Officers) Type 4 - Page 1 Medical History of an Invalid (Officers) Type 4 - Page 2 Medical History of an Invalid (Officers) Type 4 - Page 3 Medical History of an Invalid (Officers) Type 4 - Page 4
Medical Report on an Invalid - Type 1 1 f+r A.F.B. 179
17/4/16		 Medical Report on an Invalid - Front Medical Report on an Invalid - Back
Medical Report on an Invalid - Type 2 3 A.F.B. 179
(D.M.S. 1312)
18-2-18		 Medical Report on an Invalid - Page 1 Medical Report on an Invalid - Page 2 Medical Report on an Invalid - Page 3
Medical Report on a Disabled Officer 1 f+r A.F.A. 45

19/4/18		 Medical Report on a Disabled Officer - Front Medical Report on a Disabled Officer - Back
Proceedings of Medical Board
Type 1		 1 R. & O. 6045
29/11/16		 Proceedings of Medical Board - Type 1
Proceedings of Medical Board
Type 2		 1 D.M.S. 1394
22/1/17		 Proceedings of Medical Board - Type 2
Proceedings of Medical Board
at Discharge Depot		 1 Proceedings of Medical Board at Discharge Depot
X-Ray Examination Certificate Type 1a 1 A.F.W. 3172
8/15
X-Ray Examination Certificate Type 1b 1 A.F.W. 3172
1/16
X-Ray Examination Certificate Type 1c 1 A.F.W. 3172
8/17
X-Ray Examination Certificate Type 1d 1 A.F.W. 3172
10/17
Skiagraphic (X-Ray) 1
Urinalysis Report (X-Ray) 1 Urinalysis Report
PAY RECORDS
Form Name and/or Description Pages/
Sides		 Form Number
Date Code		 Examples
Pay Ledger Type 1a 1 f+r
Pay Ledger Type 1b 1 M.F.W. 41
5-16, 7-16,
1-18
Pay Ledger Type 2 1 P-56
Pay Ledger Type 3
"Small Ledger Sheet"		 1 f+r
Pay Ledger Type 4 1 f+r Pay Ledger Type 4 - Front Pay Ledger Type 4 - Back
Pay Ledger
Supplementary Ledger Sheet		 2 M.F.W. 2596
11-18, 1-19,
3-19
Assigned Pay Ledger Type 1a 2 Assigned Pay Type 1a - Front Assigned Pay Type 1a - Back
Assigned Pay Ledger Type 1b 2 M.F.W.12/12a
11-14, 9-15,
12-15, 7-16		 Assigned Pay Type 1b - Page 1 Assigned Pay Type 1b - Page 2
Assigned Pay Ledger Type 2 1 P.305
6/12/16		 Assigned Pay - Type 2
Assigned Pay Ledger Type 3 1 P.15
19/1/17, 1-3-18		 Assigned Pay - Type 3
Separation Allowance Ledger 1 M.F.W. 11
7-17		 Separation Allowance Ledger
Separation Allowance/Assigned Pay Ledger Type 1 1 M.F.W. 128
6-17		 Separation Allowance and Assigned Pay Ledger - Type 1
Separation Allowance/Assigned Pay Ledger Type 2 1 P. 812
9/4/18		 Separation Allowance and Assigned Pay Ledger - Type 2
War Service Gratuity and Separation Allowance 1 P. 812B
1/5/19		 War Service Gratuity and Separation Allowance
Last Pay Certificate Type 1 2 M.F.W. 44
10-17		 Last Pay Certificate - Type 1
Last Pay Certificate Type 2 1 P. 851 A Last Pay Certificate - Type 2
Post Discharge Pay Office
Pay Ledger Type 1		 1 f+r M.F.W. 127
6-17		 Post Discharge Pay Office Type 1 - Front Post Discharge Pay Office Type 1 - Back
Post Discharge Pay Office
Pay Ledger Type 2		 1 M.F.W. 127
1-19		 Post Discharge Pay Office Type 2
War Service Gratuity 1 ?M.F.W. 2595
6-19		 War Service Gratuity Form
Circumstances of Death File If you have an example of this document, we would appreciate the contribution of images for this site
OTHER DOCUMENTS
Generated during the course of a soldiers' service but not necessarily part of his "Service Records" per se.
Form Name and/or Description Pages/
Sides		 Form Number
Date Code		 Examples
Permanent Pass 1 A.F.B. 295
1/17		 Permanent Pass Cover [Courtesy of N.S. Regt.] Permanent Pass [Courtesy of N.S. Regt.]
Pass 1 Pass [Courtesy of N.S. Regt.]
Combined Leave & Railway Ticket 1 f+r Combined Leave & Railway Ticket - Front [Courtesy of N.S. Regt.] Combined Leave & Railway Ticket - Reverse [Courtesy of N.S. Regt.]
Platoon Roll Book ? Platoon Roll Book - Cover [Courtesy of N.S. Regt.] Platoon Roll Book - Title Page [Courtesy of N.S. Regt.] Platoon Roll Book - Pages [Courtesy of N.S. Regt.] Platoon Roll Book - Pages [Courtesy of N.S. Regt.]
Return Leave Train Ticket 1 Return Leave Train Ticket [Courtesy of N.S. Regt.]
Ticket Application Form 1 A.F.W. 3504
7/17		 Ticket Application Form [Courtesy of N.S. Regt.]
Steamer Ticket 1 Steamer Ticket [Courtesy of N.S. Regt.]
Pay Book A.B. 64 If you have an example of this document, we would appreciate the contribution of images for this site
C.E.F. Death Certificate If you have an example of this document, we would appreciate the contribution of images for this site
© 2004-2005 Brett Payne All Rights Reserved