Military Records

At the beginning of the First World War in 1914, recruiting for the Canadian army was done on a voluntary basis. Despite the head tax and other forms of discrimination, people of Chinese origin - both naturalized and born in Canada - offered to serve in the War. In British Columbia, however, such recruits were refused, making it necessary for them to travel to other provinces in order to enlist.

By 1917 voluntary enlistment had proved insufficient to raise enough troops to meet Canada's contribution, and the Military Service Act of August 1917 brought in conscription. However, "Orientals" were not conscripted.

The number of Chinese Canadian volunteers who served in the First World War is unknown, but it was very small. According to some sources about 300 served, but it has been suggested that this number is inflated. In any case, even 300 would be a tiny proportion of the total strength of the Canadian Expeditionary Force of 616, 636 officers and men.

James Morton, author of In the Sea of Sterile Mountains: The Chinese in British Columbia, was told by Victoria Cross winner General George Pearkes that a platoon comprising mainly Chinese Canadians in the 52nd Battalion (New Ontario Battalion) fought at Ypres in 1917. However, it seems likely that Gen. Pearkes had mistakenly identified Japanese troops as "Chinese." Roy Ito's We Went to War: The Story of the Japanese Canadians Who Served During the First and Second World Wars (1984) lists several dozen Japanese volunteers of the 52nd Battalion (Appendix Three).

Those of Chinese origin who are known to have volunteered included Frederick Lee and Wee Hong Louie (enlisted in Kamloops), William Thomas Louie (Calgary), Tung On Hong (Sudbury), and Victor Fong (Quebec).

A few Chinese nationals also ended up in Canada as a result of the war. The government of China declared war on Germany and Austria in 1917 and 50,000 coolie labourers were recruited into the Chinese Labour Corps, to work behind the lines in France. They crossed Canada in sealed railway cars, on their way to Europe, and were returned through Canada after the war ended. They were quarantined at William Head on Vancouver Island while awaiting their ship to Asia. In March 1919 rioting occurred and about 2000 broke out. Most were apprehended and returned, but an unknown number slipped away into Victoria's Chinatown.

For more information on the participation of Chinese-Canadians in World War I, see:

• The Dragon and the Maple Leaf: Chinese Canadians in World War II by Marjorie Wong (940.5404 W87d).
• The Chinese Labour Corps by Glenn Wright. Legion Magazine, September-October 2011, v. 86 no. 5, p. 26-31.

FINDING THE RECORDS

At Library and Archives Canada

• Library and Archives Canada hold military personnel files from the First World War. Although some of the information is available online, it is also possible to apply for an individual's full personnel file. For full details see the First World War page.

• Online

  Although, as noted above, very few individuals of Chinese origin served in the First World War, a small number of individuals did volunteer, and in some cases, lost their lives. Information relating to these individuals is included in the following sources:

The number of Chinese Canadians who fought in the Second World War is difficult to estimate, but numbered in the hundreds.

Although Chinese Canadians were usually able to voluntarily enlist in the Canadian Army in any of the provinces, they were barred (on racial grounds) from enlisting in the Royal Canadian Air Force until October 1942. They were similarly unable to join the Royal Canadian Navy until March 1943.

While the Canadian Army during World War II was initially comprised only of volunteers, the National Resources Mobilization Act of 1940 (NRMA) allowed the Canadian government to requisition the property and services of Canadians for home defence. This did not apply to Chinese Canadians.

In 1942, the NRMA was amended to permit the sending of conscripts overseas, in addition to regular volunteer forces. Again, Chinese Canadians were excluded from the call-up, although there were exceptions in a few cases where local mobilization boards were unaware of the ban on compulsory military service for Chinese, which had never been publicly announced.

In 1944, Ottawa received a request from the British War Office for Chinese Canadians to work for its Special Operations Executive in Southeast Asia and the Southwest Pacific. Because not enough Chinese had voluntarily enlisted to meet the need, Chinese Canadians were finally called up under the NRMA in 1944.

The active role played by Chinese Canadians in the Second World War and their unique contribution in Southeast Asia and Southwest Pacific theatres is described in detail in The Dragon and the Maple Leaf: Chinese Canadians in World War II by Marjorie Wong.

FINDING THE RECORDS

At the Vancouver Public Library

The Dragon and the Maple Leaf: Chinese Canadians in World War II
Wong, Marjorie
940.5404 W87d

The Appendix (pp. 232-246) comprises a partial list of the names of Chinese Canadians who served with Canadian and Allies Forces during the Second World War.

At Library and Archives Canada

Military personnel files relating to individuals who served in World War II are held by Library and Archives Canada. The files include documentation about enlistment, discharge, military units served with, and may also include other documents concerning medical history, medals awarded, personal evaluation reports and dental charts.

Access to these files is restricted for privacy reasons. In the case of a person who is still living, files will only be released with the person's written consent. In the case of individuals who have been deceased for less than 20 years, limited information may be released to the immediate family. After 20 years, there are no restrictions.

Further details, including information on how to apply, is available on the Access to information and privacy (ATIP) page on Library and Archives Canada website.