Series consists of records created and/or maintained by the staff of the Canadian War Records Office (CWRO), for the purposes of documenting the Canadian military effort during the First World War. The records include office files used by the Historical Section of the General Staff in Ottawa, records of the Canadian War Narrative Section, war diaries, printed material, the extensive CWRO official photographic collection, and other graphic material acquired to complement this record. A large number of the photographs are official images that depict military activities on the Western Front, including Canadian involvement at the Somme, Vimy Ridge, Passchendaele, Amiens and other significant battles. Additional material was acquired to complement the photographic narrative produced by the CWRO, documenting life behind the Front in France and Belgium, and in England, war industry and the role of women in the production of munitions, and portraits of a variety of Canadian Expeditionary Force personnel. Other photos show events in Canada, or events before the CWRO was in operation (1914-1915). Also included are 28 albums containing photographs of factories provided by the companies involved in war industry, aerial shots, and Official photographs.
Canadian War Records Office : Formed in January 1916 under the direction of Lord Beaverbrook, the Canadian War Records Office (CWRO) was responsible for collecting and compiling historical records of the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) and publicizing its activities. Its officers in England and France collected the records of Canadian units and formations and the unit war diaries. In addition, they collected data on the exploits of individuals and units in the field which were incorporated in office files.
The staff produced "The Canadian Daily Record", "Canada in Khaki", "The Canadian War Pictorial", "Canada in Flanders" (written by Lord Beaverbrook) and numerous articles. As well, they arranged exhibitions of war photographs and films produced by staff photographers. The proceeds from the exhibitions went to the Canadian War Memorials Fund which, in turn, financed the work of Canada's war artists.
CWRO personnel and records formed the nucleus of the Historical Section of the General Staff in Ottawa when the Overseas Military Forces of Canada (OMFC) ceased to exist. RG9 General Inventory
