England Other Rank Army Records - International Institute

Records of Other Ranks

Surprisingly, for Other Ranks the researcher is better placed in that there is more detail available and for earlier periods. See The National Archives (TNA) leaflets M1, M3, M5, M6, M7, M9, M14, M15, M23, M24, M54 for information on soldiers. The first place to look is:

Soldiers’ Documents (Attestation and Discharge Papers) WO 97
Soldier’s Documents publicly available date from 1760 to 1920 and cover those discharged on pension to 1882 and all discharged men from 1883 to 1913. About one third of serving men received a pension, whilst another third were killed, and the remainder served too short a time to be eligible.

There were three categories of pension for:

Long service, a minimum of 21 years.
Wounds received in action.
Disabilities occasioned by service; the term worn out is frequently seen.

Pensions were administered by the Royal Hospital Chelsea so the men were called Chelsea Pensioners, but the vast majority were not in-pensioners at Chelsea, (the splendid old boys in scarlet tunics), but received their allowances as out-pensioners from the payment district in which they lived. Out-pensioners were formed into Invalid, Veteran and Garrison companies for garrison duties in wartime, and during the 19th century were often sent out to colonies as settlers. For background reading there is a general article by Swinnerton’s Was There a Chelsea Pensioner in Your Family? Practical Family History. #6, page 7-8, and C. G. T. Dean’s book on the Royal Hospital Chelsea.

Soldiers documents do not survive for those who:

Died whilst serving.

Deserted.

Completed a limited unpensionable period of service. Such 7-year enlistments, renewable for 5-10 years, were introduced in 1806 and lasted until 1829. From 1841 there was another system of 10-12 year enlistment, renewable for a further 11-12 years. After 1870 soldiers signed on for an initial 6 year period and could renew for up to 21 years. In 1904 this was changed to an initial 3 years, in 1905 to 9 years, and in 1908 to 6-8 years, with options to extend to 21 years (Wood 1995-1.

Were invalided out.

Purchased their discharge (bought themselves out).

Until 1883 you will have to know the regiment or unit in order to begin your search, see section on How to Determine the Regiment, and the alphabetical index of soldiers discharged from 1760-1854 (the years which are filmed). The latter is extremely easy to use, click search the catalogue, then fill in:

Surname, plus first name if you wish.
Year range—this is optional and it is best to leave this blank at first.
WO 97.

The list produced gives a brief summary sufficient to identify your man, see the example below. From 1883 the documents are alphabetical by surname for the whole army.

Soldiers in WO 97 Index

CHART: Soldiers in WO 97 Index

TNA Reference	Title/Scope and Content [Regiments usually given in order listed on the papers]	Covering Dates [Enlistment and discharge]
WO 97/134/14	Edward TOPPIN alias TOPPING. Born Clunisford, Galway. Served in 14th Dragoons. Discharged aged 29.	1833-1841
WO 97/293/41	James TOPPING. Born Haddington, East Lothian. Served in 7th Foot Regiment. Discharged aged 30.	1832-1844
WO 97/1124/308	Thomas TOPPING. Born Standish, Lancashire. Served in 3rd Royal Veteran Battalion; 84th Foot Regiment; 95th Foot Regiment. Discharged aged 38	1794-1814

The chart below summarizes the worldwide accessibility of the Soldiers’ Documents for those unable to research at the TNA themselves. When doing a search on the FamilySearch Catalogue do a keyword search for British Soldiers Documents, or alternatively bring up the complete list of 1256 films by doing a film/fiche search using film number FS Library film 0868536. View the Film Notes and note the list of regiments, their volume numbers and alphabetical order of soldiers’ names. If working from the online index the reference is quoted in the form: WO 97/183/110. The middle number is the volume that enables you to order the right film. When viewing the film use the last number, which is the item number, to find your document.

Bear in mind that there are also two further compilations of pre-1914 documents found whilst the WWI group were being sorted. These are piece numbers WO 97/6355-6383 for 1843-1899 and WO 97/6323-6354 for 1900-1913, and they are arranged alphabetically but are not included in the index on the net, neither are they filmed yet.

Soldiers Documents WO 97

CHART: Soldiers Documents WO 97

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|- | Date Range
| How Arranged
| Nominal Index
| Who
| At FSC
|- | 1760-1854
| By regiment then surname
| TNA at Kew
| Men discharged to pension
| Yes
|- | 1855-1872#
| By regiment then surname
| No
| Men discharged to pension
| No
|- | 1873-1882
| By category * then surname
| No
| Men discharged to pension
| No
|- | 1883-1913^
| By surname
| Not Needed
| All persons discharged
| No
|- | 1914-1920
| By surname
| Not needed
| All persons discharged
| No
|}

*Artillery, cavalry, engineers, foot guards, infantry, and misc. Corps

Large numbers of the WO 97 records for the Boer War (1899-1902) were destroyed during WWII bombing.

Soldiers Documents W097

WO 97 soldier’s documents may contain various parts:

Attestation Form
This is the form completed when he joined up and gives his age, (or what he wanted the recruiting sergeant to believe), and place of birth, trade or occupation before enlistment, and his physical description. Below is an attestation for unlimited service and was found amongst records of the 79th Foot even though it says the man is of the 69th Foot Regiment!

CHART: Attestation Form for Richard McCormick WO 97/894

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|- | Richard McCormick of the 69th Foot, who attested at Dublin on 27 February 1844 states he was born in the parish of Fort George, Inverness, [Scotland] and gives his age as 14 years, height 4' 53/4", with a fresh complexion, blue eyes, fair hair, no distinctive marks, no trade, not an apprentice or married, no disabilities, not serving in militia or any other armed force. He received a bounty of 2 guineas.
|}

Record of Service

This is an account of his army career including places served, promotions and demotions, medals, conduct and disciplinary measures, together with the reason, date and place of discharge and intended place of residence after leaving the army. Later records will have more details, such as medical history and details of next of kin and family. Below is typical of a later record of service and has several pages of information:

CHART: Record of Service for William East WO 97/1206
Page 1

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|- | Royal Regiment of Artillery whereof Field Marshal The Marquis of Anglesey K.G. is Colonel.
Battalion or Corps: Invalid Detachment
Place and date: Woolwich 15th March 1848.
PROCEEDINGS OF A REGIMENTAL BOARD held this day, in conformity to the Articles of War, for the purpose of verifying and recording the Services, Conduct, Character and cause of Discharge of Sergeant William East of the Regiment above-mentioned.
President: Lt. Colonel R. Cruttenden Cl. Arty
Members:Lt. Col. W. Furneaux R.A., Lt. Col. F. Warde R. A.
THE BOARD having examined and compared the Regimental Records, the Soldier’s Book, and such other documents as appeared to them to be necessary, report that Sergeant William East by trade a labourer was BORN in the parish of St. Mildred, Canterbury, Kent and was ATTESTED for the Royal Regiment of Artillery at Woolwich, Kent on the 23rd August 1826 at the age of 18 years, that after making every deduction required by Her Majesty’s Regulations, the SERVICE up to 11th April 1848 which he is entitled to reckon, amounts to21 years 285 days, as shown by the detailed statement on the 2nd page; during which period he served abroad7 and 2/12 years viz: at Canada 7 2/12 years.
And further that his discharge is proposed in consequence of being unfit for further service. With regard to the CHARACTER, and CONDUCT of Sergeant William East, the board have to report, that upon reference to the Defaulter’s Book, and by the Parole testimony that has been given, it appears that his conduct has been exemplary.His name does not appear in any Defaulter Book.

|}

                                                                  Page 2

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|- | Sergeant William East, being asked to what he has been paid, answered that his Account is balanced up to the latest period required by the Regulations; and being further asked whether he has any claim on the Regiment for Arrears of PAY, ALLOWANCES, or CLOTHING, answered that he has received all just demands, from his entry into the Service up to the 11th April 1848 and in confirmation therefore, affixes his signature hereto. I acknowledge this to be true (Signed) W. East. Witness: Jas Campbell (Commanding the Company to which he belongs).
The Board have ascertained that Sergeant William East Soldier’s Book is correctly balanced, and signed by the Officer Commanding his Company, and they declare, that they have impartially enquired into, and faithfully reported upon all the matters brought before them, in accordance with the Regulations and Instructions issued by Her Majesty’s Orders.
(Signatures of President and two members)
Detailed Statement of the Services of Sergeant William East
Royal Artillery Gunner and Driver from 1 July 1826 to 31 Mar 1830 (3 years 274 days)
3rd Battalion Promoted to Bombardier on 1 Apr 1830 to 31 Oct 1833 (3 years 214 days)
3rd Battalion Promoted Corporal on 1 Nov 1844 to 10 Jan 1837 (3 years 71 days)
Invalids Promoted Sergeant on 11 Jan 1837 to 11 Apr 1848 (11 years 94 days)
Totalling= 21 years 285 days
William East in the above statement of his Service is credited with the Rank of Sergeant for the whole period from his appointment on the 11th January 1837 to the 11th April 1848 as sanctioned by the Honorable Board of Ordnance on the 23rd September 1835, a/396.

The foregoing Report is hereby confirmed by me Jas Campbell, Commanding Invalid Detachment R. A.

|}

Page 3

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|- | Medical Report
Sergt Wm East, Invalids
Palpitation of the Heart and Chronic Rheumatism
In 184,1 when stationed in Canada, he first began to feel pain in his left side and inordinate action of the heart whenever he rode above a walk. Since then his breathing has become much embarrassed. In 1846 he was posted to the Invalids Detachment and latterly he has felt no alleviation from the above symptoms, and has been subject to Rheumatism of his shoulders and arms. Disability caused by his Military Service.
(Signed) W. Barratt surgeon, Ordnance Dept.

OPINION of the Principal Medical Officer atWoolwich 8th March 1848. After a careful examination I am of the opinion that William East is unfit for service and likely to be permanently disqualified from Military duty, but that he is able to contribute something towards his livelihood.
J. Stewart, Senior Surgeon, Ord. Med. Dept
G. Thomas, Dy Inspr General of Ordce Hospitals

Woolwich, 27 March 1848
THE DISCHARGE of the Man above mentioned is approved by the Master General. J.D Jones
DECISION OF THE CHELSEA BOARD

                                                                   (blank)

|}

                                                                   Page 4

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|- | Final Description
Of Sergeant W^m East of the Invalids, Royal Artillery when Discharged the Service at Woolwich this 11th day of April 1848.

                                               -----------------------------------

|}

Age:	39 years and 8 months
Height	5 feet 8 ½ inches
Hair:	Brown
Eyes:	Blue
Complexion:	Fair
Trade:	Labourer

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|- | Marks, or Scars, whether on the Face, or other parts of the Body: Nil
|}

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Information in this Wiki page is excerpted from the online courses English: Occupation Records-Professions and Trades and English: Occupations-Military and Services offered by The International Institute of Genealogical Studies. To learn more about this course or other courses available from the Institute, see our website. We can be contacted at wiki@genealogicalstudies.com

We welcome updates and additions to this Wiki page.



The original content for this article was contributed by The International Institute of Genealogical Studies in June 2012. It is an excerpt from their course English: Occupation Records-Professions and Trades and English: Occupations-Military & Services by Dr. Penelope Christensen. The Institute offers over 200 comprehensive genealogy courses for a fee ($).