Prompted by Marika's request for information on Private Ernest W. Laird I asked Veterans Affairs Canada how they determined if a person should be included.
Mrs. Catherine Tremblay, Senior Officer, Canada Remembers, Ottawa sent me an eMail outlining the criteria for inclusion in the Canadian Book of Remembrance. Note that the dates that Canada uses are slightly different than the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
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In order to be commemorated in the First World War Book of Remembrance, the Veteran must have died from an injury sustained in service and died before the closing date for that war/conflict.
That is to say, if the Veteran was diagnosed with Nephritis (a kidney disorder) but died of pneumonia, he wouldn't be commemorated in the Book of Remembrance. As well, if he was discharged because he was no longer fit for service, and subsequently died from the same condition once he was home* he would be commemorated in the Book.
I have to view the file to see the diagnosis/reason for the early release home and if he died within the given time frame, which is different from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, I would add his name to the Book.
Our official dates are:
South African War - May 1899 to 30 November 1902
First World War - 4 August 1914 to 30 April 1922
Second World War - 1 September 1939 to 30 September 1947
Korean Conflict - June 25, 1950 to July 27, 1953
In the Service of Canada - 1 October 1947 to present
