Cenotaph at Churchill Sqare, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada City Hall 7-19-2025.
Canada's total casualties in World War I numbered over 230,000, with more than 66,000 killed and over 172,000 wounded. Specifically, 59,544 members of the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) died, with 51,748 due to enemy action, and the Royal Canadian Navy reported 150 deaths. Additionally, 1,388 Canadians died while serving with the British Flying Services
During the Battle of the North Atlantic in World War II, the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) lost 2,210 personnel and 41 vessels. This number represents the vast majority of the approximately 2,000 RCN members who died during the war, most of whom were killed in this crucial campaign.
During World War II, the Canadian Army experienced significant losses, with 22,917 of its personnel killed and a total of 42,042 deaths across the Canadian Armed Forces (Army, Royal Canadian Air Force, and Royal Canadian Navy). Over 1.1 million Canadians served in uniform, and approximately 55,000 were wounded before the end of the war.
Key Areas of Loss:
Italian Campaign:
The Canadian Army sustained heavy casualties during the hard-fought advances through Italy, particularly during the winter of 1944-1945 and around the advance to Rimini.
Normandy and Northwest Europe:
The sustained fighting in Normandy, including the liberation of Caen and battles in the Scheldt Estuary, also resulted in significant losses for the Canadian Army, with the First Canadian Army suffering nearly 13,000 casualties in the Scheldt alone.
Hong Kong:
The Battle of Hong Kong in December 1941 saw heavy losses for the Royal Rifles of Canada and the Winnipeg Grenadiers, with 283 Canadian soldiers buried in Stanley Military Cemetery and others honoured at the Sai Wan Bay War Cemetery.
Dieppe:
Although not a sustained campaign, the Dieppe Raid in August 1942 was particularly costly, with significant Canadian casualties.
In the Korean War, 516 Canadians lost their lives while serving as part of the United Nations force. Over 26,000 Canadians served in the conflict, which lasted from 1950 to 1953. The Battle of Kapyong in April 1951 was a notable engagement where 10 Canadians were killed and 23 wounded.
Canadian Casualties Breakdown:
Total Deaths: 516
Wounded: Approximately 1,200
POWs: 32 (all returned home)
Missing in Action: 16
Battle of Kapyong: 10 killed, 23 wounded
The war is sometimes referred to as a "forgotten war," but it is recognized as an important chapter in Canadian military history. The Korea Veterans Association of Canada has erected a Wall of Remembrance to honor the fallen.
In total, 158 Canadian Armed Forces members died during Canada's mission in Afghanistan. Additionally, seven Canadian civilians, including a diplomat, four aid workers, a government contractor, and a journalist, also lost their lives. Thousands more Canadian soldiers were injured, both physically and psychologically.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
Military Casualties:
158 Canadian Armed Forces members were killed in action.
Civilian Casualties:
A diplomat, four aid workers, a government contractor, and a journalist died during the mission.
Injuries:
Thousands of Canadian Armed Forces members and civilians were injured, with many experiencing both physical and psychological wounds.
Duration:
Canada's military involvement in Afghanistan spanned from 2001 to 2014, with the combat mission ending in 2011 and the training mission concluding in 2014.
Legacy:
The mission in Afghanistan had a lasting impact, with many Canadians questioning its necessity and the high cost in lives and resources. The war also led to significant debate about the role of the military, the treatment of veterans, and the long-term consequences of military interventions.