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The National Archives (TNA), located at Kew, West London, houses a wealth of information on military personnel, much of it now available to download. See the "Online Resources" section below for further information.
The National Archives (TNA), located at Kew, West London, houses a wealth of information on military personnel, much of it now available to download. See the "Online Resources" section below for further information.  


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:  
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The first permanent naval fleet was formed during the reign of King Henry VIII (1509–1547). For many years Britain had the strongest navy in the world. The earliest surviving navy records are from 1617, but the majority of the extensive collection date from the mid-1600s. Many records are available only at The National Archives.  
The first permanent naval fleet was formed during the reign of King Henry VIII (1509–1547). For many years Britain had the strongest navy in the world. The earliest surviving navy records are from 1617, but the majority of the extensive collection date from the mid-1600s. Many records are available only at The National Archives.  


Several sources list navy ships with descriptions and the dates on which they were placed in service.
Several sources list navy ships with descriptions and the dates on which they were placed in service<br>
 
One such work is:
 
 


The Navy Official List books, available from 1673, give ports of call for ships during each year. Some of these lists are available in the Family History Library.  
The Navy Official List books, available from 1673, give ports of call for ships during each year. Some of these lists are available in the Family History Library.  
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==== Royal Marines  ====
==== Royal Marines  ====


(Corps of Her Majesty's Royal Marines)
(Corps of Her Majesty's Royal Marines)  


This branch originally maintained military discipline on navy vessels. It has been a separate&nbsp;corps of the military since 1755, although under the control of the Admiralty and forming part of the Naval Service. 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&nbsp;corps of the military since 1755, although under the control of the Admiralty and forming part of the Naval Service. Alphabetically arranged records of marines exist from 1790, some by enlistment date and others by discharge date.  
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Pre-1751 infantry and cavalry units were known by the names of their colonels, i.e. Sir Thomas Adams Regiment of Foot.  
Pre-1751 infantry and cavalry units were known by the names of their colonels, i.e. Sir Thomas Adams Regiment of Foot.  


Post-1751 a numerical system was adopted to name the regiments, with rank in order of precedence, i.e. Queens 9th Regiment of Foot.
Post-1751 a numerical system was adopted to name the regiments, with rank in order of precedence, i.e. Queens 9th Regiment of Foot.  


Originally the responsibility for directing the British Army fell under the command of the staff of the National War Office. Thus, the category for records in The National Archives of England is labeled WO for locating all Army collections. Now the army is run by comissioned officers.  
Originally the responsibility for directing the British Army fell under the command of the staff of the National War Office. Thus, the category for records in The National Archives of England is labeled WO for locating all Army collections. Now the army is run by comissioned officers.  


<br>
<u>'''Available Records'''</u>
'''Pre-1914'''
Service records for "Other ranks" i.e. not officers, who served in the British army are held at The National Archives (TNA), Kew, although various online subscription-based research providers offer access to digitised copies. At the time of writing, these services were not complete although new records up to and including 1913 are constantly being added. The leading provider of this service is Find My Past - www.findmypast.co.uk


If a soldier was entitled to receive any sort of pension due to his army service, a separate record was created although some information was duplicated from his service papers. These pension papers provide a good insight into a soldiers career although they focus more on his medical history rather than his service career.


Officers papers were compiled and held separately although they too are located at TNA. They are not currently available to view online and can only be accessed at TNA.






<br>'''1914-1920'''
Primarily covering WW1 service, these service records are often referred to as the "Burnt Series" due to the fact that the storage facility housing these records was hit by a German bombing raid during WW2 and consequently over 60% of the records were destroyed. The records that survived have been preserved and indexed, even those partially damaged by water and fire.
You can search the Family History Library Catalog at www.FamilySearch.org to obtain the microfilm number of the TNA Catalogue Number WO 364 records. Alternatively, 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. <br>In the notes section of the catalog entry you should see the National Archives catalogue number, either WO 361 or WO 364. Be sure to use the correct one. <br>On the page of the FHLC that has the Notes you will need to click on the View Film Notes button near the top right portion of the screen to get the film numbers that apply to surnames in the different parts of the alphabet. There are 804 rolls of microfilm for the WO 364 records <br>If you cannot locate the service papers of the soldier you are searching for, it is also worthwhile looking within the pension papers index as many men were entitled to pensions for prior service or due to injuries sustained during WW1.
Officers papers are stored at TNA as above and an index of WW1 officers is available to download free of charge from TNA's website here: [http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/searchresults.asp?SearchInit=0&txtsearchterm=*&txtfirstdate=&txtlastdate=&txtrestriction=WO+338&hdnsorttype=Reference&image1.x=0&image1.y=0&image1=GO Officer's Papers]
Individual regimental archives may also hold limited records and it is well worth writing to the relevant regimental museums. The Guards depot (Grenadier, Coldstream, Irish, Welsh &amp; Scots) also keep separate archives and can, on request supply information. Bear in mind though that some archives, quite reasonably, request payment for such services.<br><br>
<br>


= Casualties =
= Casualties =


'''<u>The Commonwealth War Graves Commission</u>'''
'''<u>The Commonwealth War Graves Commission</u>'''  


Established by Royal Charter in 1917, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission pays tribute to the 1,700,000 men and women of the Commonwealth forces who died in the two world wars from all services including civillian war dead. It is a non-profit-making organisation that was founded by Sir Fabian Ware. The Commonwealth includes such countries as Australia, Canada, India, New Zealand &amp; South Africa.&nbsp;
Established by Royal Charter in 1917, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission pays tribute to the 1,700,000 men and women of the Commonwealth forces who died in the two world wars from all services including civillian war dead. It is a non-profit-making organisation that was founded by Sir Fabian Ware. The Commonwealth includes such countries as Australia, Canada, India, New Zealand &amp; South Africa.&nbsp;  


The Commonwealth War Graves Commission has a searchable internet website:  
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission has a searchable internet website:  
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''Soldiers Died in the Great War, 1914–1919''. Reprint. 80 parts. Colchester, England: J.B. Hayward, 1988–9. (Family History Library book [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titlehitlist&columns=*%2C0%2C0&callno=942+M23s 942 M23s]; compact disc number 128.) This gives birthplace, place of enlistment, rank, date of death and cause of death.  
''Soldiers Died in the Great War, 1914–1919''. Reprint. 80 parts. Colchester, England: J.B. Hayward, 1988–9. (Family History Library book [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titlehitlist&columns=*%2C0%2C0&callno=942+M23s 942 M23s]; compact disc number 128.) This gives birthplace, place of enlistment, rank, date of death and cause of death.  


Ancestry.co.uk also offers a searchable database of those listed in ''Soldiers Died in the Great War'' as part of its subscription service.
Ancestry.co.uk also offers a searchable database of those listed in ''Soldiers Died in the Great War'' as part of its subscription service.  


''The War Dead of the British Commonwealth and Empire''. London, England: Imperial War Graves Commission, 1957. (Family History Library [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titlehitlist&columns=*%2C0%2C0&callno=942+M2wdf 942 M2wdf]; film [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=filmhitlist&columns=*%2C0%2C0&filmno=1441037 1441037].) This work gives the name, rank, regiment, and grave location of casualites buried in France during World War II.  
''The War Dead of the British Commonwealth and Empire''. London, England: Imperial War Graves Commission, 1957. (Family History Library [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titlehitlist&columns=*%2C0%2C0&callno=942+M2wdf 942 M2wdf]; film [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=filmhitlist&columns=*%2C0%2C0&filmno=1441037 1441037].) This work gives the name, rank, regiment, and grave location of casualites buried in France during World War II.  


 
<br>


For information on 20th century army records, see:  
For information on 20th century army records, see:  
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<br>
<br>


= British&nbsp; =
= British&nbsp; =
 
'''<u>Pre-1914</u>'''
 
Service records for "Other ranks" i.e. not officers, who served in the British army are held at The National Archives (TNA), Kew, although various online subscription-based research&nbsp;providers offer access to digitised copies. At the time of writing, these services were not complete although new records up to and including 1913 are constantly being added. The leading provider of this service is Find My Past - <u>www.findmypast.co.uk</u>
 
If a soldier was entitled to receive any sort of pension due to his army service, a separate record was created although some information was duplicated from his service papers. These pension papers provide a good insight into a soldiers career although they focus more on his medical history rather than his service career.
 
Officers papers were compiled and held separately although they too are located at TNA. They are not currently available to view online and can only be accessed at TNA.
 
 
 
'''<u>1914-1920</u>'''
 
Primarily covering WW1 service, these service records are often referred to as the "Burnt Series" due to the fact that the storage facility housing these records was hit by a German bombing raid during WW2 and consequently over 60% of the records were destroyed. The records that survived have been preserved and indexed, even those partially damaged by water and fire.
 
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]&nbsp;also has&nbsp;the records available to search free of charge although viewing is via subscription.&nbsp;
 
#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.
#In the notes section of the catalog entry you should see the National Archives catalogue number, either WO 361 or WO 364. Be sure to use the correct one.
#On the page of the FHLC that has the Notes you will need to click on the '''View Film Notes''' button near the top right portion of the screen to get the film numbers that apply to surnames in the different parts of the alphabet. There are 804 rolls of microfilm for the WO 364 records
 
If you cannot locate the service papers of the soldier you are searching for, it is also worthwhile looking within the pension papers index as many men were entitled to pensions for prior service or due to injuries sustained during WW1.
 
Officers papers are stored at TNA as above and were not affected by the bombing damage. However, an index of WW1 officers is available to download free of charge from TNA's website here:


Individual regimental archives may also hold limited records and it is well worth writing to the relevant regimental museums. The Guards depot (Grenadier, Coldstream, Irish, Welsh &amp; Scots) also keep separate archives and can, on request supply information. Bear in mind though that some archives, quite reasonably,&nbsp;request payment for such services.
&nbsp;


=== Understanding Military Records  ===
=== Understanding Military Records  ===
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Bevan, Amanda, and Andrea Duncan. ''Tracing Your Ancestors in the Public Record Office''. Fourth Edition. London, England: Her Majesty’s Stationery Office, 1995. (Family History Library book [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=367639&disp=Naval+records+for+genealogists%20%20&columns=*,0,0 942 A5] no. 19 1995.)  
Bevan, Amanda, and Andrea Duncan. ''Tracing Your Ancestors in the Public Record Office''. Fourth Edition. London, England: Her Majesty’s Stationery Office, 1995. (Family History Library book [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=367639&disp=Naval+records+for+genealogists%20%20&columns=*,0,0 942 A5] no. 19 1995.)  


Colledge, James J. Ships of the Royal Navy. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press, 1987. (Family History Library book 942 M3c.)
Colledge, James J. Ships of the Royal Navy. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press, 1987. (Family History Library book 942 M3c.)  


Hamilton-Edwards, Gerald. ''In Search of Army Ancestry''. London, England: Phillimore &amp; Company, Limited, 1977. (Family History Library book [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=265098&disp=In+search+of+army+ancestry%20%20&columns=*,0,0 942 M2].)  
Hamilton-Edwards, Gerald. ''In Search of Army Ancestry''. London, England: Phillimore &amp; Company, Limited, 1977. (Family History Library book [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=265098&disp=In+search+of+army+ancestry%20%20&columns=*,0,0 942 M2].)  
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Higham, Robin. ''A Guide to the Sources of British Military History''. London, England: Routledge &amp; 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 &amp; 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 [[England Archives and Libraries]] for details.)
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.)  
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