About DHH
Who we are
History is a master art, integrating all fields of knowledge to yield understanding of its chosen subjects. Tradition is a set of beliefs and attitudes which guide behaviour. Heritage encompasses both, using the past to build for the future.
The Directorate of History and Heritage (DHH) is therefore mandated to safeguard and disseminate Canadian military history and heritage to meet departmental goals, and reinforce Canadian Forces (CF) identity. Our mission is to develop Canadian Forces history, heritage, traditions, museum and music systems.
On 1 September, 1996, The Directorate of History (DHist) and, The Directorate of Military Traditions and Heritage (DMTH) were amalgamated to form The Directorate of History and Heritage (DHH). The Canadian Forces Music Centre (CF Mus C) disbanded and became DHH 7 - CF Music (a sub-unit of DHH) on 1 April, 1997.
DHH 4 (Honours and Awards) was split from DHH on 02 Mar 2007 for the purpose of reorganization to form the Directorate - Honours and Recognition (DH&R) under the Assistant Chief Military Personnel (Asst CMP), Military Personel Command (MILPERSCOM).
The Military Cemeteries Creation Project will create new Military Cemeteries across Canada - establishing at least one in each Province. Based upon the highly successful model established at Beechwood Cemetery in Ottawa, these new cemeteries will enable the interments of former Canadian Military Personnel (and their loved ones) in their home Provinces, while at the same time enabling them to be accorded National Honours. Planned as a joint initiative between DND and Veterans Affairs Canada, the Project personnel are currently researching potential sites and completing preliminary analysis.
Organizational Structure
- Director: Dr. S. Bernier
- Deputy Director: LCol M. Beaudry
- DHH 2 - CF Chief Historian: Dr. S. J. Harris
- DHH 3 - Staff Officer CF Customs and Traditions: Major J.G.G. Turpin
- DHH 5 - Section Head CF Museums and Historical Collections: Mr. M. Litalien
- DHH 6 - CF Heritage Officer: Major P. Lansey
- DHH 7 - Supervisor of Music: LCol S. Attridge
The Directorate of History and Heritage (DHH) is divided into many sub units. The primary activities, responsibilities, resources and relationships of these sub units are outlined as follows:
- History and Archives (DHH 2). Military history is used throughout the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Forces to deepen professional knowledge of policy evolution, grand and military strategy, operations, and tactics, in the context of social, technological and infrastructure change.
DHH 2 gathers, preserves and imposes intellectual control over the historical record, carries out historical research and provides historical support on demand, and, publishes Official and occasional histories to meet the goals of Department of National Defence. Many of the research resources maintained for DND/CF use are available to the public - CF Customs and Traditions (DHH 3). The Traditions section of DHH maintains the CF Dress, Insignia, Customs and Ceremonial policies on behalf of the Chief of Defence Staff. For example, the Chief of the Defence Staff is advised on dress policies by a National Defence Clothing and Dress Committee (NDCDC), and, on matters which apply only to members allocated a specific environmental identity, by the principal commander of the applicable force.
- CF Museums (DHH 5). Canadian Forces museums collect, preserve, and interpret our military heritage to create a sense of history, identity, and pride within the Canadian Forces and throughout Canada, in support of the goals of the Department of National Defence. Military museums are independent, non-public funded institutions, with ownership vested in the Commanding Officers. Units without museums are encouraged to create historical collections for the same purpose.
- Military Heritage (DHH 6). DHH 6 develops and manages central policies which mark and reinforce group identity. It preserves and interprets heritage to members of the Canadian Forces and the general public. Tradition is a set of beliefs and attitudes, handed down from posterity, which guide behaviour. Customs are habitual actions or practices. Heritage encompasses both, combined with historical knowledge.
- CF Music (DHH 7). The role of the CF Music is to provide musical support to the Canadian Forces in order to foster high morale, esprit de corps, and thus operational effectiveness.
