Stories from Canadian Veterans and their families
In Their Own Voices is an oral history project about Canadian veterans’ postwar and post-service lives from the Second World War to the present day. It consists of more than 200 interviews with veterans and their loved ones.
Most military histories conclude when a conflict or mission ends. But the impacts of war and military service continue long after veterans take off their uniforms, in ways that can be profound, intimate and far-ranging. The In Their Own Voices project explores how military service has shaped the lives of veterans, their loved ones, and Canada itself. Presented here are many histories, as told by those who served and those who knew them best.
Oral history collection
We have interviewed over 200 Canadian veterans and their loved ones. Read transcripts, hear their voices, and discover their stories in our collection.
Online exhibition
Curated by themes like Becoming a Veteran and Civilian Life and Community, the exhibition showcases short clips, historical context, images, and more.
It’s over. You’re safe now. But what are you gonna do for the rest of your life?
I say to myself: I’m lucky, it didn’t happen to me. I didn’t pay with my life. But I didn’t come back in one piece either.
In Their Own Voices: Stories From Canadian Veterans and Their Loved Ones is generously funded by donors including the A. Britton Smith Family; the Azrieli Foundation; Arthur B.C. Drache, C.M., K.C., and Judy Young Drache; The Royal Canadian Legion; The Legion National Foundation; Friends of the Canadian War Museum; the Crabtree Foundation; Robert Stollery, in honour of his service in the Second World War; Colonel (Ret’d) Stanley A. Milner, O.C., A.O.E., M.S.M., C.D., LL.D.; and individuals from across Canada.
It’s that element of resilience, that you might fall down, you stand up, you dust yourself off, and you keep moving forward.
Photos at top of page:
George Metcalf Archival Collection, CWM 20090037-009_DSC01126; CWM 20100197-001_35b; CWM 20080028-001_IMG_8641a (© Stephen Thorne [2004], The Canadian Press)