Ancestors lost in the crowd?
New to family history research?
Perhaps these articles on our website may help:
Census 1841 - 1911
Birth, Death and Marriage Registration
The London Gazette
Newspaper archives
Trade Directories
Articles on the History of Essex, Researching your Ancestors,
and British History
World War One military records
A look at World War One military records and how they can help you research your ancestors.
Introduction
The forthcoming anniversary of the outbreak of World War One in 1914 will spark the desire in many people to find about their ancestors' role in the First World War. This article looks at the available British Armed Forces Service Records for the period 1914 - 1920 and how they may be accessed by those researching their family history.
Many of the records are now available online, while others are stored in archives which will require a visit to continue the research. Unfortunately, some Army records were, ironically, destroyed by enemy action in the Second World War.
World War One Campaign Medals
The National Archives hold 5.5 million medal cards for members of the British Army and Royal Flying Corps who were awarded campaign medals. The cards only provide a very brief details of service: army number, regiment, dates, and medals awarded. The campaign medals were 1914 Star, 1914/15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal, Territorial Force Medal, and The Silver War Badge. The National Archives provide a very comprehensive guide on how to search for the cards and a guide to their contents. It costs £2 to purchase a copy of the card.
The biggest problem with the cards is that there were no strict rules as to how the names were to be entered on the cards. Often middle names are not included, or only initials are supplied. Prior knowledge of the regiment in which they served may be required to aid identification of the correct card.
The medal cards are also available on Ancestry.co.uk in the British Army WWI Medal Rolls Index Cards, 1914-1920
Navy campaign medal cards are available in microfiche at the National Archives, or on Ancestry.co.uk in the Naval Medal and Award Rolls, 1793-1972
World War One Gallantry Medals
Gallantry awards and mentions in dispatches are listed in London Gazette, however, they are so numerous that searching for the them is problematic. It may be easier if you are able to attend the National Archives to search indexes kept by the Army and Navy. A guide on how to do this appears on this National Archives page.
Army Service Records and Pension Records
British Army WWI Service Records, 1914-1920, were subject to enemy action in World War Two and many were destroyed. Ancestry.co.uk in partnership with The National Archives provide the surviving service records of non-commissioned officers and other ranks who served in WWI and did not re-enlist in the Army prior to World War II. The type of information contained in these records includes: name of solider, age, birthplace, occupation, marital status, and regiment number.
British Army WWI Pension Records, 1914-1920, are service records of non-commissioned officers and other ranks who were discharged from the Army and claimed disability pensions for service in WWI. These were also men who did not re-enlist in the Army prior to World War II. Again available at Ancestry.co.uk in partnership with the National Archives. The type of information contained in these records includes: name of solider, age, birthplace, occupation, marital status, and regiment number.
Navy Records
The National Archives provides a guide to their various holding for the Royal Navy, Fleet Air Arm, Royal Naval Reserve, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve and Women's Royal Naval Service. Royal Air Force.
Merchant Navy
The National Archives provides a guide to their various holding for the Merchant Navy.
War Dead
The National Archives provides a guide to seeking information on World War One war dead.
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission's "Debt of Honour Register" is a database which lists the 1.7 million men and women of the Commonwealth forces who died during the two world wars and the 23,000 cemeteries, memorials and other locations worldwide where they are commemorated. Information includes includes regiment, and place of burial. It can also include some personal information.
For the Royal Navy there is also on Ancestry.co.uk the Royal Navy and Royal Marine War Graves Roll, 1914-1919
Newspapers
Many service personnel were mentioned in national and local newspapers and these can be a good source of information. See the article on Newspapers Archives.
