The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada Regimental Museum and Archives last week made available on its website an illustrated transcription of all of the Second World War diaries of what would become the 1st Battalion, The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada, based in Toronto.
These diaries provide information about the regiment’s participation and progress throughout the war – from the efforts to form the battalion in June 1940, through duties in Newfoundland, training in New Brunswick and England, the successful but devastating landing on D-Day, the continued fight through Europe, to the German surrender on May 8, 1945.
To protect the fragile documents and make them more accessible, Master Corporal Graham Humphrey volunteered hundreds of hours to transcribe and post them on the museum’s website. With the help of Kate Becker, he also added all of the routine orders to the war diaries, along with maps and photos. Also included are links to detailed profiles and photos of many of the key soldiers mentioned by name in the diaries.
Links to the diaries can be found at the bottom of the blog post, QOR WWII War Diaries Now Completely Online.
