WWII Canadian MIA Aircrew Database
Designing the Database:
Bergeron and Goold collaborated to create the database in February 2025.
The Database Content:
The names in this database come from the RCAF Causalities-Second World War webpage. We created a computer program to find those who have no known grave and organized their names by province and hometown. This work led to the identification of 3,749 missing aircrew personnel with no known grave, whose names are now part of this searchable database.
How to reference this database:
Bergeron, K. & Goold, J. (2025) WWII Canadian MIA Aircrew Database. Acadia University Recovery Program. WWII Canadian MIA Aircrew Database.
Dr. Kim Bergeron, a social innovator and scientist, developed the conceptual framework for the database, including the vision for an accessible, searchable online database to honour unaccounted-for Canadian military service personnel by focusing on MIA aircrew with no known grave.
Almost all Army fatalities have known graves, and the portion of naval losses at sea are commemorated on memorials, and their remains are not recoverable. The approximately 3,000+ aircrew with no known graves are commemorated as having no known grave (Library and Archives Canada); however, some are recoverable. Conducting historical research will help us identify those that may be recoverable.
According to the Department of National Defence (DAOD 5040-3), a person who died while serving in the Canadian military and has no known or maintainable grave is officially referred to as an “unaccounted-for military fatality.” Library and Archives Canada uses the term “missing inaction” (MIA) to describe military personnel whose whereabouts and status remain unknown following an operation. On this site, the 3,749 individuals are listed as missing in action or MIA. These individuals died while serving or training during WWII, have no known grave, and are officially considered MIA.
AURP is dedicated to developing and implementing an active recovery program focused on historical and investigative research. Its goal is to support the recovery, identification, and repatriation or commemoration of MIA military service personnel from World War I, World War II, and the Korean Conflict. This program is led by an interdisciplinary team: Dr. Aaron Taylor (Acadia University), Dr. Kim Bergeron (Queen’s University), and June McDonald-Jenkins (JDConsulting). The program was established in 2023 and officially launched on November 5, 2024.
Send an email to Dr. Kim Bergeron