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'''1775–1783:''' American Revolutionary War. The British army had 135,000 men in North America when fighting broke out. Some men remained in Canada after the war, but most returned to Britain. Records of Loyalists and others who remained in Canada are separate from other military records. | '''1775–1783:''' American Revolutionary War. The British army had 135,000 men in North America when fighting broke out. Some men remained in Canada after the war, but most returned to Britain. Records of Loyalists and others who remained in Canada are separate from other military records. | ||
'''1803–1815:''' Napoleonic Wars. Numerous battles across Europe involved 365,000 British soldiers and 300,000 seamen. These battles include the Peninsular Wars in Portugal and Spain and the famous [http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/nelson/introduction.htm Battle of Trafalgar]. | '''1803–1815:''' [http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/records/looking-for-subject/napoleonicwars.htm?WT.lp=rg-3075 Napoleonic Wars]. Numerous battles across Europe involved 365,000 British soldiers and 300,000 seamen. These battles include the Peninsular Wars in Portugal and Spain and the famous [http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/nelson/introduction.htm Battle of Trafalgar]. | ||
'''1854–1856:''' Crimean War. 225,000 troops were involved in the Crimea (Russian Black Sea). | '''[http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/battles/crimea/ 1854–1856:]''' [http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/records/looking-for-subject/crimeanwar.htm?WT.lp=rg-3074 Crimean War]. 225,000 troops were involved in the Crimea (Russian Black Sea). | ||
'''1857–1860:''' Indian Mutiny. Many of the troops discharged after the Crimean war were recalled to quell the revolt in India. | '''1857–1860:''' Indian Mutiny. Many of the troops discharged after the Crimean war were recalled to quell the revolt in India. | ||
'''1880–1902:''' Boer Wars. The first Anglo-Boer War (1880–1881) led to South African independence in 1881. The second Anglo-Boer War (1898–1902) led to the unification of South Africa in 1910. | '''1880–1902:''' [http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/records/looking-for-subject/boerwar.htm?WT.lp=rg-3068 Boer Wars]. The first Anglo-Boer War (1880–1881) led to South African independence in 1881. The second Anglo-Boer War (1898–1902) led to the unification of South Africa in 1910. | ||
'''1914–1918:''' World War I. About 6,000,000 British service personnel served in this war. Almost 1,000,000 died. | '''1914–1918:''' [http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/records/looking-for-subject/firstworldwar.htm?WT.lp=rg-3065 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:''' [http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/records/looking-for-subject/secondworldwar.htm?WT.lp=rg-3073 World War II]. Just over 400,000 service personnel and civilians died in the war. Click [http://www.archive.org/details/TurnerPublishingHistoricPhotosofWorldWarII here ]for photos of the war. | ||
[http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ 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. | [http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ 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. | ||
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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<br> | Several sources list navy ships with descriptions and the dates on which they were placed in service<br> | ||
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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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.<br> | 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> === | === <u>'''Available Records'''</u> === | ||
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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] | 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 & 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> | 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 & 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> | ||
'''Post-1920''' | '''Post-1920''' | ||
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Formed on 1st April 1918 by merging the aviation branches of the existing services, namely the Royal Flying Corps (Army) and the Royal Naval Air Service (Royal Navy). This merger created the totally independent Royal Air Force (RAF), and is the oldest air force in the world. | Formed on 1st April 1918 by merging the aviation branches of the existing services, namely the Royal Flying Corps (Army) and the Royal Naval Air Service (Royal Navy). This merger created the totally independent Royal Air Force (RAF), and is the oldest air force in the world. | ||
<br> | <br> | ||
The RAF maintains its own records archive although officers papers are downloadable (£) from TNA here: [http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/browse-refine.asp?CatID=43&searchType=browserefine&pagenumber=1&query=*&queryType=1 RAF Officers records.] Other ranks service records are not online but if service ended prior to 1920, can be accessed at TNA. Post-1920 records are dealt with in the same way as army & Navy records under FOI requests(see above). | The RAF maintains its own records archive although officers papers are downloadable (£) from TNA here: [http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/browse-refine.asp?CatID=43&searchType=browserefine&pagenumber=1&query=*&queryType=1 RAF Officers records.] Other ranks service records are not online but if service ended prior to 1920, can be accessed at TNA. Post-1920 records are dealt with in the same way as army & Navy records under FOI requests(see above). | ||
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The Commonwealth War Graves Commission has a searchable internet website: | The Commonwealth War Graves Commission has a searchable internet website: | ||
[http://www.cwgc.org/ www.cwgc.org/]<br> | [http://www.cwgc.org/ www.cwgc.org/]<br> | ||
Lists of British army personnel who died during '''World War I''' have been compiled from official casualty lists and published in: | Lists of British army personnel who died during '''World War I''' have been compiled from official casualty lists and published in: | ||
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The Royal Navy instituted its own equivalent, the Naval General Service Medal, also in 1847 but covering the slightly longer period of 1793-1840. Whilst a staggering 231 different campaign or battle clasps were authorised, not all were issued. The most clasps issued to any single recipient was 7. As the medal was authorised some considerable time after most of the campaigns and battles had taken place, and also due to widespread illiteracy, a large number of men did not claim their medals. In total just over 20,000 medals were actually issued. | The Royal Navy instituted its own equivalent, the Naval General Service Medal, also in 1847 but covering the slightly longer period of 1793-1840. Whilst a staggering 231 different campaign or battle clasps were authorised, not all were issued. The most clasps issued to any single recipient was 7. As the medal was authorised some considerable time after most of the campaigns and battles had taken place, and also due to widespread illiteracy, a large number of men did not claim their medals. In total just over 20,000 medals were actually issued. | ||
These two medals started a precedent of issuing campaign medals that still continues to this day, with the RAF joining the process in 1918 by following the lead set by the Army. It is a widely collected field and there are many resources on the subject. From a family history perspective, knowing what medals a relative was entitled to can lead to fascinating journies of discovery as well as the medal themselves providing useful information. <br> | These two medals started a precedent of issuing campaign medals that still continues to this day, with the RAF joining the process in 1918 by following the lead set by the Army. It is a widely collected field and there are many resources on the subject. From a family history perspective, knowing what medals a relative was entitled to can lead to fascinating journies of discovery as well as the medal themselves providing useful information. <br> | ||
==== '''Awards & Honours:''' ==== | ==== '''Awards & Honours:''' ==== | ||
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Brave conduct, meritorious service and so forth have long been rearded publicly. Since the 19th century, such awards to the military have generally taken medallic form although it has historically been shown that a reward may also involve a promotion or a share of the spoils, particularly if at sea and an enemy vessel was captured, | Brave conduct, meritorious service and so forth have long been rearded publicly. Since the 19th century, such awards to the military have generally taken medallic form although it has historically been shown that a reward may also involve a promotion or a share of the spoils, particularly if at sea and an enemy vessel was captured, | ||
As such, honours and awards tend to be publicly announced in the London Gazette newspaper. The online search archive can require a certain amount of skill to find what or rather who you are searching for but it can yield fantastic results: [http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/search London Gazette Archive] <br> | As such, honours and awards tend to be publicly announced in the London Gazette newspaper. The online search archive can require a certain amount of skill to find what or rather who you are searching for but it can yield fantastic results: [http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/search London Gazette Archive] <br> | ||
==== '''Online Resources:''' ==== | ==== '''Online Resources:''' ==== | ||
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These records of army service are available only for those soldiers who were discharged to pension through Royal Hospital Chelsea near London. The records contain the reason for discharge and details on age, birthplace, and trade or occupation on enlistment. They are arranged by regiment, then alphabetically by surname for the years 1760 through 1872. The records for 1873 to 1882 are alphabetically arranged by corps (cavalry, foot soldiers, guards, and so forth). From 1883 to 1914, these records are arranged in one alphabetical series. | These records of army service are available only for those soldiers who were discharged to pension through Royal Hospital Chelsea near London. The records contain the reason for discharge and details on age, birthplace, and trade or occupation on enlistment. They are arranged by regiment, then alphabetically by surname for the years 1760 through 1872. The records for 1873 to 1882 are alphabetically arranged by corps (cavalry, foot soldiers, guards, and so forth). From 1883 to 1914, these records are arranged in one alphabetical series. | ||
An index to the pension records is available in the [http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/search.asp online catalogue] of the National Archives of the UK. You may enter the name of a soldier in the 'Word or phrase' field and the 'Department or series code' of WO (for War Office) 97. [http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/records/research-guides/british-army-soldiers-discharge-and-pension-records.htm Click here for further information from the National Archives]. | An index to the pension records is available in the [http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/search.asp online catalogue] of the National Archives of the UK. You may enter the name of a soldier in the 'Word or phrase' field and the 'Department or series code' of WO (for War Office) 97. [http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/records/research-guides/british-army-soldiers-discharge-and-pension-records.htm Click here for further information from the National Archives]. | ||
At the [https://beta.familysearch.org/s/catalog/show?uri=http%3A%2F%2Fcatalog.familysearch.org%3A8080%2Fwww-catalogapi-webservice%2Fitem%2F161618&hash=HloWXpZgU9zB10k5M56iYku8TUc%253D Family History Library] the records are on microfilm and arranged by regiment. A project is underway to digitize the records and make them available online through [http://www.findmypast.co.uk/home.jsp FindMyPast.com], by the end of 2011. | At the [https://beta.familysearch.org/s/catalog/show?uri=http%3A%2F%2Fcatalog.familysearch.org%3A8080%2Fwww-catalogapi-webservice%2Fitem%2F161618&hash=HloWXpZgU9zB10k5M56iYku8TUc%253D Family History Library] the records are on microfilm and arranged by regiment. A project is underway to digitize the records and make them available online through [http://www.findmypast.co.uk/home.jsp FindMyPast.com], by the end of 2011. | ||
It was possible to have a qualified pension commuted to allow a soldier to immigrate to British colonies. A list of those who did, between the years 1830-1839, is found online at [http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/passengerlists/chelseab.htm TheShipsList.com]. | It was possible to have a qualified pension commuted to allow a soldier to immigrate to British colonies. A list of those who did, between the years 1830-1839, is found online at [http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/passengerlists/chelseab.htm TheShipsList.com]. | ||
==== '''Chaplains’ Returns''' ==== | ==== '''Chaplains’ Returns''' ==== | ||
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*The Coast Guard (1816–1923) kept their own records, including pension, description, and other records. | *The Coast Guard (1816–1923) kept their own records, including pension, description, and other records. | ||
These records are at The National archives. For further information on military records for branches of the service other than navy or regular army, see the military record handbooks at the end of this section.<br> | These records are at The National archives. For further information on military records for branches of the service other than navy or regular army, see the military record handbooks at the end of this section.<br> | ||
= '''Resources ''' = | = '''Resources ''' = | ||
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Pre-1914 records for both the army and the navy are at [http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/militaryhistory/ The National Archives.] | Pre-1914 records for both the army and the navy are at [http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/militaryhistory/ The National Archives.] | ||
The National Archives, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 4DU England<br> | The National Archives, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 4DU England<br> | ||
Post-1914 army records are at: | Post-1914 army records are at: | ||
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MILITARY RECORDS - ARMY | MILITARY RECORDS - ARMY | ||
MILITARY RECORDS - NAVY | MILITARY RECORDS - NAVY | ||
= '''Search Strategies''' = | = '''Search Strategies''' = | ||