Canada, Certificates of Military Instruction

This collection consists of certificates granted by Schools of Military Instruction. Details available on each certificate typically include the name and rank of the recipient, residence, certificate type and date, and the name and location of the school where any training and/or examination took place.

A Militia General Order of 25 February 1864 announced that Schools of Military Instruction would be established at Toronto and Quebec "for the purpose of enabling officers of the Militia or candidates for commissions in the Militia, to perfect themselves in a knowledge of their military duties, drill and discipline". Thereafter, it would be necessary for all candidates for commissions in the Service Militia to obtain a certificate from one of the Schools of Military Instruction before the commission could be issued. Schools of Gunnery at Quebec and Kingston were authorized by General Order (No. 24 of October 20, 1871) "for the training of all ranks by the Militia artillery." Ten officers, twenty non-commissioned officers and men were selected to join each School of Gunnery "for a 'Short Course' of instruction, to last three months; on the termination of which the Commandant of the School may select from these officers and non-commissioned officers or men, one or more of the most efficient and retain them for a 'Long Course', being an additional period of twelve months" (Regulations and Orders for Militia, 1879, page 210).