There is no charge if a search for the documents requested turns up nothing. For more complicated requests likely to take at least two hours or more, we will undertake research at a rate of $20/hr (with cost of copies/mailing at customer's expense). This approach is recommended if your request involves a search of a large number of records. Please note that the response time for most searches is at least two weeks; this is due to the fact that photocopies of documents required must be ordered from the Archives; their staff process them, and will either mail them out when ready or hold them for pick-up. Any research effort involves at least two trips to the Archives. Copies of CEF service records take 8-10 weeks at best, and customers should note this when making requests.

If time is of the essence, another service we can recommend is Canadian Research Service

Research Links

We've added a section of links here to useful sites for the military medal researcher. The World Wide Web is a wonderful place to share and exchange information, and the sites below offer a great deal of useful information to the collector. They are non-commercial for the most part, and maintained by individuals and government organisations as a service to the web community. Enjoy! Should you know of a useful site that isn't shown here, please let us know!

 Canadian Medal and Military History-related Sites

Canadians Who Served in the South African War  A digital library of the service records and medal roll entries for those soldiers who served in Canadian units during the Boer War. Previously available only by printing from microfilm onsite at the National Archives, this is a wonderful online resource for the collector of Canadian medals.

The Canadian Virtual War Memorial  An incredible resource for Canadian medal collectors. This searchable on-line database holds the names and burial details of some 110,000 Canadians and Newfoundlanders who gave their lives in WW1 and WW2.

Legion's Magazine's Last Post  A searchable on-line database which holds the names and personal details of some 48,000 Canadian veterans who have died since 1996.

The Battle of Vimy Ridge - 9-10 April 1917  Many say Canada came of age on the day our army stormed and took Vimy Ridge. Visit this informative page to learn more about the battle that inspired our business name.

Canadian Medals - Veterans' Affairs  An informative site which provides details on the awarding of Canadian orders, decorations and medals.

The Mounting and Wearing of Decorations and Medals  Another good site which provides details on the order of precedence for the wear of Canadian orders, decorations and medals.

CEF Database at Canada's National Archives  A searchable online database which provides a reference to the files of Canadian servicemen who served in the First World War. A great starting point in your medal recipient research.

Canadian Department of National Defence - Directorate of Honours and Recognition  A great web site to visit if you wish to learn more about the present day Canadian honours system.

The Books of Remembrance  An on-line searchable version of the Canadian Books of Remembrance, which list the names of all Canadian soldiers, sailors and airmen who have died during wartime or afterwards.

War Diaries of CEF Battalions  An on-line collection of the War Diaries of the various CEF battalions and other units, digitized by Canada's National Archives. An incredible source of information!

Awards to the Royal Canadian Navy John Blatherwick's incredible compilation of data on awards to the RCN - a must visit for the Canadian naval collector.

 Australian Medal and Military History-related Sites

Australian Archives - Service Records  An excellent Australian government site which explains how to order copies of Australian military records for conflicts from the Boer War to Vietnam.

Officers of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps Killed at Gallipoli  Biographical records of the 486 Australian and New Zealand Army officers who were killed fighting at Gallipoli. An incredible trove of information for the collector or researcher. Highly recommended.

Australian Military Research  Australian Military Research provides research services into all aspects of Australian military services from the New Zealand Wars to Vietnam. Requests can cover medal roll confirmation, Service Records, Casualty checks and much more.

 United Kingdom Medal and Military History-related Sites

The National Archive of England, Wales and the United Kingdom  The gateway to services available at the UK's National Archives.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission  The Commonwealth War Graves site offers a great deal of valuable information about the Commission's objectives and mandate. Includes an on-line searchable 1.7 million name database of WW1 and WW2 casualties who are commemorated by the Commission.

London Gazette Online  A searchable electronic version of the London Gazette in Adobe Acrobat format - very handy to confirm those gallantry awards!

medals@vimy.ca