Books of Remembrance (Canada)

The Books of Remembrance are a series of illuminated manuscript volumes that commemorate Canadian service members who have died in service to the country since Confederation. Housed in the Memorial Chamber of the Peace Tower on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, each book lists names of the fallen, typically organized by conflict.

Currently, there are eight Books of Remembrance:

• The First World War Book
• The Second World War Book
• The Newfoundland Book of Remembrance (commemorating Newfoundlanders who died in the First World War, prior to Newfoundland joining Canada)
• The Korean War Book
• The South African War Book (also known as the Boer War)
• The Merchant Navy Book
• The In the Service of Canada Book (commemorating those who died in military service since the Korean War, including peacekeeping missions and peacetime service)
• The Afghanistan Book of Remembrance

Each day at 11:00 a.m., a page in one of the books is turned, allowing visitors to view a different set of names. The turning schedule rotates to ensure that all names are displayed at least once per year. The books are meticulously hand-lettered and decorated with illustrations reflecting the historical context of each conflict.

The Books are considered national treasures and are carefully preserved and protected. The Department of Veterans Affairs Canada maintains a virtual version of the Books of Remembrance online, allowing individuals to search for specific names and view digitized images of the pages. This online resource provides broader access to these important historical records and allows Canadians to pay their respects to those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.