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'''1914–1918:''' World War I. About 6,000,000 British service personnel served in this war. Almost 1,000,000 died. | '''1914–1918:''' World War I. About 6,000,000 British service personnel served in this war. Almost 1,000,000 died. | ||
'''1939–1945:''' World War II. Just over 400,000 service personnel and civilians died in the war. | '''1939–1945:''' World War II. Just over 400,000 service personnel and civilians died in the war. | ||
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Military histories or regimental histories are listed in the Place Search of the Family History Library Catalog under: | Military histories or regimental histories are listed in the Place Search of the Family History Library Catalog under: | ||
'''<u>GREAT BRITAIN - MILITARY HISTORY</u>''' | '''<u>GREAT BRITAIN - MILITARY HISTORY</u>''' | ||
==== Royal Navy Records ==== | ==== Royal Navy Records ==== | ||
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This branch originally maintained military discipline on navy vessels. It has been a separate branch of the military since 1755. Alphabetically arranged records of marines exist from 1790, some by enlistment date and others by discharge date. | This branch originally maintained military discipline on navy vessels. It has been a separate branch of the military since 1755. Alphabetically arranged records of marines exist from 1790, some by enlistment date and others by discharge date. | ||
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==== '''British Army''' ==== | |||
The army began as a permanent organization in 1660. Earlier armies were raised as needed, usually as county militia units. The oldest regiment is the Honourable Artillery Company, formed in 1537. For information on pre-1660 military records, see the handbooks listed at the end of this section. The Soldier in Later Medieval England database has names of about 250,000 soldiers. | |||
The army began as a permanent organization in 1660. Earlier armies were raised as needed, usually as county militia units. The oldest regiment is the Honourable Artillery Company, formed in 1537. For information on pre-1660 military records, see the handbooks listed at the end of this section. The Soldier in Later Medieval England database has names of about 250,000 soldiers. | |||
<br>Prior to 1847, English army service was usually for life. Some soldiers were discharged early for disability (liberally defined) or age (often by age 40). | <br>Prior to 1847, English army service was usually for life. Some soldiers were discharged early for disability (liberally defined) or age (often by age 40). | ||
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The basic unit of the Army is the regiment under a colonel or lieutenant colonel. Regiments are usually divided into two or more Battalions. The main types of regiments which should be searched are: | The basic unit of the Army is the regiment under a colonel or lieutenant colonel. Regiments are usually divided into two or more Battalions. The main types of regiments which should be searched are: | ||
Cavalry <br>Infantry <br>Corps (e,g, Army Service Corps; Royal Signals; Royal Engineers etc.) | Cavalry <br>Infantry <br>Corps (e,g, Army Service Corps; Royal Signals; Royal Engineers etc.) | ||
Lists of British soldiers who died in World War I and World War II have been compiled from official casualty lists and published in: | Lists of British soldiers who died in World War I and World War II have been compiled from official casualty lists and published in: | ||
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WW1 Army records along with WW1 Army pension records are available through [http://www.ancestry.co.uk www.ancestry.co.uk] | WW1 Army records along with WW1 Army pension records are available through [http://www.ancestry.co.uk www.ancestry.co.uk] | ||
WW1 Army medal index cards are also available through [http://www.ancestry.co.uk www.ancestry.co.uk] - if you have a subscription they are free. Otherwise you will have to pay £2 fee to download it if you get it through The National Archives website: [http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/browse-refine.asp?CatID=10&searchType=browserefine&pagenumber=1&query=*&queryType=1 http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/browse-refine.asp?CatID=10&searchType=browserefine&pagenumber=1&query=*&queryType=1] | WW1 Army medal index cards are also available through [http://www.ancestry.co.uk www.ancestry.co.uk] - if you have a subscription they are free. Otherwise you will have to pay £2 fee to download it if you get it through The National Archives website: [http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/browse-refine.asp?CatID=10&searchType=browserefine&pagenumber=1&query=*&queryType=1 http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/browse-refine.asp?CatID=10&searchType=browserefine&pagenumber=1&query=*&queryType=1] | ||
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=== United Kingdom World War I Army Service Records === | === United Kingdom World War I Army Service Records === | ||
These records are often referred to as the "Burnt Series" due to the fact that the storage facility housing these records was hit during a German bombing raid during WW2 and consequently over 60% of the records were destroyed. The records that survived have been preserved and indexed. | These records are often referred to as the "Burnt Series" due to the fact that the storage facility housing these records was hit during a German bombing raid during WW2 and consequently over 60% of the records were destroyed. The records that survived have been preserved and indexed. | ||
You can search the Family History Library Catalog at [http://www.familysearch.org/ www.FamilySearch.org] to obtain the microfilm number of the TNA Catalogue Number WO 364 records. Alternatively, [http://www.ancestry.co.uk www.ancestry.co.uk] also has the records available to search free of charge although viewing is via subscription. | You can search the Family History Library Catalog at [http://www.familysearch.org/ www.FamilySearch.org] to obtain the microfilm number of the TNA Catalogue Number WO 364 records. Alternatively, [http://www.ancestry.co.uk www.ancestry.co.uk] also has the records available to search free of charge although viewing is via subscription. | ||
#Search the Family History Library Catalog (FHLC) by title for: '''Military records of the British Army, 1914-1920''' you will see two items with that exact title and several that have letters of the alphabet added to the end of the title. Look at the catalog entries for the two without any additional letters. | #Search the Family History Library Catalog (FHLC) by title for: '''Military records of the British Army, 1914-1920''' you will see two items with that exact title and several that have letters of the alphabet added to the end of the title. Look at the catalog entries for the two without any additional letters. | ||
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''Children of Officers on Full-pay, 1829''. Bound manuscript. N.p., n.d. (Family History Library book [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titlehitlist&columns=*%2C0%2C0&callno=942+M23be 942 M23be].) | ''Children of Officers on Full-pay, 1829''. Bound manuscript. N.p., n.d. (Family History Library book [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titlehitlist&columns=*%2C0%2C0&callno=942+M23be 942 M23be].) | ||
Similar returns of naval officers begin in 1817. The naval returns are indexed at The National Archives (ADM 10). See | Similar returns of naval officers begin in 1817. The naval returns are indexed at The National Archives (ADM 10). See [[England Archives and Libraries]] for the address. | ||
'''Pension Records'''. These records often contain details of an individual’s reason for pension, his fitness on discharge, and sometimes the address where pension payments were sent. | '''Pension Records'''. These records often contain details of an individual’s reason for pension, his fitness on discharge, and sometimes the address where pension payments were sent. | ||
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Kitzmiller, John. ''In Search of the "Forlorn Hope."'' Two Volumes plus supplement. Ogden, Utah: Manuscript Publishing Foundation, 1988. (Family History Library book [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=280386&disp=Army+records%20%20&columns=*,0,0 942 M2].) This work will help you find where regiments were stationed during a range of years. | Kitzmiller, John. ''In Search of the "Forlorn Hope."'' Two Volumes plus supplement. Ogden, Utah: Manuscript Publishing Foundation, 1988. (Family History Library book [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=280386&disp=Army+records%20%20&columns=*,0,0 942 M2].) This work will help you find where regiments were stationed during a range of years. | ||
If you know the area where the individual was living during his late teens, use regimental histories or the handbooks listed in this | If you know the area where the individual was living during his late teens, use regimental histories or the handbooks listed in this FamilySearch Wiki article to find which regiments were recruited in that area. | ||
If you know where he died after receiving an army pension, search district pension returns. For more information about district pension returns, see: | If you know where he died after receiving an army pension, search district pension returns. For more information about district pension returns, see: | ||
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If you know approximately when he died, search probate records. Before 1858, search the Prerogative Court of Canterbury first. | If you know approximately when he died, search probate records. Before 1858, search the Prerogative Court of Canterbury first. | ||
For information on probates, see | For information on probates, see [[England Probate Records]]. | ||
If you know nothing of his career or where he served, you must find more information before searching army records. | If you know nothing of his career or where he served, you must find more information before searching army records. | ||
'''Army Officers'''. You can usually find army officers in the Army List (1740 to the present - see "Lists of Officers" in this | '''Army Officers'''. You can usually find army officers in the Army List (1740 to the present - see "Lists of Officers" in this article). If your ancestor does not appear in the Army List for the right time period, consult the card index to officers, available only at the Public Record Office. | ||
If an officer was living during 1828 or 1829, you can use the indexed returns of service. "Birth certificates" submitted with widow’s pension applications may reveal an officer’s name. If you still cannot find a record, use the search strategies for soldiers. | If an officer was living during 1828 or 1829, you can use the indexed returns of service. "Birth certificates" submitted with widow’s pension applications may reveal an officer’s name. If you still cannot find a record, use the search strategies for soldiers. | ||
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*The name of an officer serving with your ancestor, search the Navy List for that officer’s ship. | *The name of an officer serving with your ancestor, search the Navy List for that officer’s ship. | ||
Since many seamen also served in the Merchant Marines during their careers, search the records described in | Since many seamen also served in the Merchant Marines during their careers, search the records described in [[England Merchant Marine]] | ||
'''Navy Officers'''. You can usually find navy officers in the Navy Lists (1782 to the present) or in the Index to Commission and Warrant Books (1695 to 1742). See the sub-heading of "Lists of Officers" in this section for details. | '''Navy Officers'''. You can usually find navy officers in the Navy Lists (1782 to the present) or in the Index to Commission and Warrant Books (1695 to 1742). See the sub-heading of "Lists of Officers" in this section for details. | ||
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Many officers are included in published biographies, such as: | Many officers are included in published biographies, such as: | ||
''Commissioned Sea Officers of the Royal Navy, 1660–1815.'' Three Volumes. N.p., n.d. (Family History Library book [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titlehitlist&columns=*%2C0%2C0&callno=942+M23cs 942 M23cs], films [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=filmhitlist&columns=*%2C0%2C0&filmno=908026 909026]–027.) | ''Commissioned Sea Officers of the Royal Navy, 1660–1815.'' Three Volumes. N.p., n.d. (Family History Library book [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titlehitlist&columns=*%2C0%2C0&callno=942+M23cs 942 M23cs], films [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=filmhitlist&columns=*%2C0%2C0&filmno=908026 909026]–027.) | ||
=== Handbooks for Military Records === | === Handbooks for Military Records === | ||
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Higham, Robin. ''A Guide to the Sources of British Military History''. London, England: Routledge & Kegan Paul, 1972. (Family History Library book [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titlehitlist&columns=*%2C0%2C0&callno=942+M2h 942 M2h].) | Higham, Robin. ''A Guide to the Sources of British Military History''. London, England: Routledge & Kegan Paul, 1972. (Family History Library book [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titlehitlist&columns=*%2C0%2C0&callno=942+M2h 942 M2h].) | ||
Kew Lists. (See | Kew Lists. (See [[England Archives and Libraries]] for details.) | ||
''Records of Officers and Soldiers Who Have Served in the British Army''. London, England: Public Record Office, 1984. (Family History Library book [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=325266&disp=Records+of+officers+and+soldiers+who+hav%20%20&columns=*,0,0 942 M23] number 1.) | ''Records of Officers and Soldiers Who Have Served in the British Army''. London, England: Public Record Office, 1984. (Family History Library book [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=325266&disp=Records+of+officers+and+soldiers+who+hav%20%20&columns=*,0,0 942 M23] number 1.) | ||