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Australia Military Records: Difference between revisions

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''[[Australia Genealogy|Australia]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] [[Australia_Military_Records|Military Records]]''  
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==Online Records==
*'''1880-1980''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/70849/ Web: Australia, University of Sydney Biographical Information Including World War I, 1880-1980] at Ancestry - index ($)
*'''1885 onward''' [https://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-20206/australia-roll-of-honour?s=275764761 Australia, Roll of Honour] at MyHeritage - index ($)
*'''1901-1940''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/61986/ Australia, Army Militia Service Records, 1901-1940] at Ancestry - index & images ($)
*'''1914-1918''' [https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-records/australian-imperial-force-nominal-roll-1914-1918 Australian Imperial Force Nominal Roll 1914-1918] at Findmypast - index ($)
*'''1914-1918''' [https://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-20202/australia-first-world-war-nominal-roll-1914-1918?s=275764761 Australia, First World War Nominal Roll, 1914-1918] at MyHeritage - index ($)
*'''1914-1918''' [https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-records/australian-imperial-force-embarkation-roll-1914-1918 Australian Imperial Force Embarkation Roll 1914-1918] at Findmypast - index ($)
*'''1914-1918''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/61966/ ANZAC Memorial, 1914-1918] at Ancestry - index & images ($)
*'''1914-1918''' [https://aif.adfa.edu.au/aif/ Australian ANZACS in the Great War 1914-1918] 
*'''1914-1918''' [https://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-20345/australia-queensland-world-war-i-soldier-portraits-1914-1918?s=275764761 Australia, Queensland, World War I Soldier Portraits 1914-1918] at MyHeritage — index & images ($)
*'''1915-1918''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/61984/ Australia, Applications to Enlist in the AIF, 1915-1918] at Ancestry — index & images ($)
*'''1917-1920''' [http://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/australian-imperial-force-nominal-roll-of-the-first-railway-section-1917-1920 Australian Imperial Force, Nominal Roll Of The First Railway Section 1917-1920] at Ancestry - index ($)
*'''1939-1945''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/61172/ Australia, World War II Military Service Records, 1939-1945] at Ancestry - index ($) 
*'''1914-1920''' [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=9091 Ancestry's Australia, WWI Service Records, 1914-1920] at Ancestry - index ($)
*'''1921-1948''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/61989/ Australia, Royal Australian Air Force Personnel Files, 1921-1948] at Ancestry - index & images ($)
*'''1939-1945''' [https://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-10750/australian-world-war-ii-nominal-roll-1939-1945 Australian World War II Nominal Roll, 1939-1945] at MyHeritage - index ($)
*'''1939-1947''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/61987/ Australia, WWII Second Australian Imperial Forces and Citizen Military Forces Service Records, 1939-1947] at Ancestry - index ($)
*[https://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-20326/australia-military-honour-recommendations-awards?s=275764761 Australia, Military Honour Recommendations and Awards] at MyHeritage — index & images ($)
*[https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/results?count=20&placeId=1927080&query=%2Bplace%3A%22Australia%22%20%2Bkeywords%3Amilitary%20%2Bkeywords%3Arecord%20%2Bavailability%3AOnline&subjectsOpen=360054-50 Online Records for Australia in the FamilySearch catalog]
*[https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/australia-military-commemorative-rolls-and-rolls-of-honour Australia, Military Commemorative Rolls & Rolls Of Honour] - at Findmypast, index & images ($)
*[http://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/all-australia-memorial All Australia Memorial] at Findmypast - index & images ($)
*[https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-records/australian-contingent Australian Contingent] at Findmypast - index & images ($)
*[https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-records/australias-fighting-sons-of-the-empire Australia's Fighting Sons of the Empire] at Findmypast - index & images ($)
*[http://freepages.history.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~garter1/ Australia's Redcoat Settlers]
*[http://www.cwgc.org/ Commonwealth War Graves Commission]
*[https://www.awm.gov.au/advanced-search/people The Australian War Memorial]
*[https://discoveringanzacs.naa.gov.au/ National Archive's Discovering Anzacs]
*[https://familyhistoryact.org.au/boer_war/ Graves and memorials of Australians in the Boer War]
*[http://members.pcug.org.au/~croe/ozb/oz_boer.cgi?setup_file=oz_boer.setup Australians in the Boer War]
*[https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-records/australia-boer-war-contingents Australia, Boer War Contingents] at Findmypast - index ($)
*[http://www.flickr.com/photos/state-records-sa/sets/72157626501163158/ Photos of WWI soldiers, sailors and nurses]
*[http://www.naa.gov.au/collection/explore/defence/service-records/army-wwi.aspx World War I Service Records]
*[https://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-20207/australia-first-world-war-embarkation-rolls?s=275764761 Australia, First World War Embarkation Rolls] at MyHeritage - index & images ($)
*[https://www.theworldremembers.org/search-the-names The World Remembers - WWI Deaths]
*[http://www.hq1atf.org/index.htm Headquarters Company, 1st Australian Task Force]
*[http://nominal-rolls.dva.gov.au/ World War II Nominal Rolls]
*[http://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/australian-military-forces-ww2-missing-and-prisoners-of-war Australian Military Forces WW2 Missing and Prisoners Of War] at Findmypast - index ($)
*[http://www.koreanroll.gov.au/search.aspx Korean War Nominal Roll]
*[http://www.vietnamroll.gov.au/veteransearch.aspx Nominal Roll of Vietnam War Veterans]
*[https://www.dva.gov.au/recognition/commemorating-all-who-served/records-and-military-history/preliminary-gulf-war-nominal Nominal Roll of First Gulf War Veterans]
*[http://www.dva.gov.au/commemorations-memorials-and-war-graves/office-australian-war-graves Office of Australian War Graves]


Military records identify individuals who either served in the military or who were eligible for service. Evidence that an ancestor served in the military may be found in family records, biographies, census, probate records, civil registration, and church records.  
==FamilySearch Library==
*'''The FamilySearch Library''' has several Australian military records. Those available online are listed above. However many more have not been digitized. See the [https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/results?count=20&placeId=1927080&query=%2Bplace%3A%22Australia%22%20%2Bkeywords%3Amilitary%20%2Bkeywords%3Arecord '''full listing of FamilySearch military records for Australia'''] in these categories:
:Australia - Military history ( 10 )
:Australia - Military history - Army ( 2 )
:Australia - Military history - Bibliography ( 1 )
:Australia - Military history - Navy ( 1 )
:Australia - Military history - Sources ( 1 )
:Australia - Military history - Vietnam War, 1961-1975 ( 1 )
:Australia - Military history - World War, 1914-1918 ( 3 )
:Australia - Military records ( 64 )
:Australia - Military records - Army ( 11 )
:Australia - Military records - Army - Indexes ( 1 )
:Australia - Military records - Army - World War, 1914-1918 ( 3 )
:Australia - Military records - Handbooks, manuals, etc. ( 1 )
:Australia - Military records - Indexes ( 2 )
:Australia - Military records - Inventories, registers, catalogs ( 2 )
:Australia - Military records - Korean War, 1950-1953 ( 1 )
:Australia - Military records - Navy ( 4 )
:Australia - Military records - Pensions ( 1 )
:Australia - Military records - South African War, 1899-1902 ( 1 )
:Australia - Military records - Vietnam War, 1961-1975 ( 3 )
:Australia - Military records - World War, 1914-1918 ( 5 )
:Australia - Military records - World War, 1939-1945 ( 4 )
:Australia - Military records - World War, 1939-1945 - Regimental histories ( 1 )
 
==Content==
Military records identify individuals who either served in the military or who were eligible for service. Evidence that an ancestor served in the military may be found in family records, biographies, census, probate records, civil registration, and church records.


Military records may include:  
Military records may include:  
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=== Army  ===
=== Army  ===
The history of the army in Australia can be divided into three main groups:  
The history of the army in Australia can be divided into three main groups:  
*Imperial forces  
*Imperial forces  
*Local colonial forces  
*Local colonial forces  
*Commonwealth military forces
===Navy===
*AIF Project - Australian Anzacs in the Great War - 1914-1918
'''The organization of the navy is divided into three groups:'''
 
*The British era, 1788–1887<br>
*Auxiliary squadrons and subsidies, 1887–1909
*Australian squadron, 1909–
* The British navy first arrived in Australia as a part of the first fleet. The first regular warship was stationed at Sydney in 1821, and the navy continued to be in Australia from that point on. In 1855 Australia’s first warship was built. Although Australia had organized its own navy by 1869, it was still under the protection of the British navy. In 1901 the Australian government took over jurisdiction of the navy. <br>
=== Imperial Forces (1788–1870)  ===
=== Imperial Forces (1788–1870)  ===
 
The marines, under the direction of the Admiralty Board, were the first military presence in Australia. They arrived with the first fleet and were assigned to guard the convicts. In 1790 the marines were replaced by the first army regiment. The British maintained army regiments in Australia from that time until 1870.  
The marines, under the direction of the Admiralty Board, were the first military presence in Australia. They arrived with the first fleet and were assigned to guard the convicts. In 1790 the marines were replaced by the first army regiment. The British maintained army regiments in Australia from that time until 1870. The following source lists army regiments that were and are stationed in Australia:
 
Defense. ''The Australian Encyclopaedia''. Third Edition. (Sydney, New South Wales, Australia: The Grolier Society of Australia) Volume 2, (1977): 230. (Family History Library Call Number 994 A5a.)
 
=== Local Colonial Forces (1854–1901)  ===
=== Local Colonial Forces (1854–1901)  ===
By 1842 Great Britain was pressing the colonies to develop and support their own defense force. By 1870 the last of the British troops had left Australia. In order to keep a strong military force, some colonies, including New South Wales and Victoria, offered land to those who had served at least five years in the military. The colonies soon realized they needed to coordinate their defense activities. As a result, in 1877 a British commissioner of defense came to the colonies and helped organize an army.  
By 1842 Great Britain was pressing the colonies to develop and support their own defense force. By 1870 the last of the British troops had left Australia. In order to keep a strong military force, some colonies, including New South Wales and Victoria, offered land to those who had served at least five years in the military. The colonies soon realized they needed to coordinate their defense activities. As a result, in 1877 a British commissioner of defense came to the colonies and helped organize an army.  
=== Commonwealth Military Forces (1901–Present)  ===
In 1901 the Australian government took responsibility for the defense of for the whole country.
'''The Australian War Memorial''' Website Biographical Records has available listings by several categories of military service: http://www.awm.gov.au/database/biographical.asp
The "'''Debt of Honour Register'''" is the Commonwealth War Graves Commission's database listing 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. The register can also be searched for details of the 67,000 Commonwealth civilians who died as a result of enemy action in the Second World War&nbsp;: http://www.cwgc.org/debt_of_honour.asp?menuid=14
'''Graves and memorials of Australians in the Boer War 1899-1902''' are maintained by The Heraldry and Genealogy Society of Canberra Inc. The site now has a searchable database of information for South African Graves and Australian Boer War memorials:[http://www.hagsoc.org.au/sagraves/abwmdb/abwm-search.php| Boer War]
===== [http://www.aif.adfa.edu.au:8080/index.html AIF Project - Australian Anzacs in the Great War - 1914-1918]<br>  =====
The AIF project is a database that has many records of the 330,000 men and women who served overseas in (first) Australian Imperial force in the years 1914-1918.<br>
[http://www.naa.gov.au/collection/explore/defence/service-records/army-wwi.aspx '''World War I Service Records''']<br>Records of Australian servicemen and women who served in World War&nbsp;I are preserved in the National Archives. Click on the link above<br>
[http://www.flickr.com/photos/state-records-sa/sets/72157626501163158/ Photos of WWI soldiers, sailors and nurses.]
'''World War II service records''' - Also held in the National Archives above.<br>The Archives cares for the service records of Australians who served during World War II (1939–45). <br>'''[http://www.ww2roll.gov.au/ World War II Nominal Roll]<br>'''
You may search for service record details by specifying [http://www.ww2roll.gov.au/script/name.asp#searchtabs name], [http://www.ww2roll.gov.au/script/service_number.asp#searchtabs service number], [http://www.ww2roll.gov.au/script/honour.asp#searchtabs honours], [http://www.ww2roll.gov.au/script/place.asp#searchtabs place] (of birth, of enlistment, or residential locality at enlistment). Once you find an individual service record you can print a certificate of service, if you wish.<br>http://www.ww2roll.gov.au/script/name.asp#searchtabs
[http://www.koreanroll.gov.au/search.aspx '''Korean War Nominal Roll''']<br>The Nominal Roll of Australian Veterans of the Korean War honours and commemorates the men and women who served in the Royal Australian Navy, Australian Army and Royal Australian Air Force in Korea, or in the waters adjacent to Korea, during the conflict and after the ceasefire, between 27 June 1950 and 19 April 1956.<br>
'''[http://www.vietnamroll.gov.au/veteransearch.aspx VietNam Nominal Roll]<br>'''
The Nominal Roll of Vietnam Veterans honours and commemorates the men and women who served in the Royal Australian Navy, Australian Army and Royal Australian Air Force in Vietnam, or in the waters adjacent to Vietnam, during the conflict between 23 May 1962 and 29 April 1975.The roll contains information from the Service records of more than 60 000 military members who served during the Vietnam War. You can seek information on these members using the Search function.'''<br>'''
[http://www.hq1atf.org/index.htm Headquarters: 1st Australian Task Force South Vietnam 1966-1972]
'''[http://members.pcug.org.au/~croe/ozb/oz_boer.cgi?setup_file=oz_boer.setup Australians in the Boer War]<br>'''
[http://freepages.history.rootsweb.com/~garter1/ '''Australian Redcoat Settlers''']<br>This Site is dedicated to the Officers, men and families of British Regiments who settled in Australia, including soldiers that served in Australia and settled in New Zealand.<br>[http://www.ww2roll.gov.au/script/name.asp#searchtabs]
For more details on the history of the army and the navy in Australia, read volume two, pages 215–244, of the Australian Encyclopedia mentioned earlier.
The following book can supply further information on tracing your military ancestors:
Montague, R. H. ''How to trace your military ancestors''''''. Sydney, N.S.W., Australia: Hale &amp; Iremonger, 1989. (Family History Library Call Number 994 M27m.)'''
'''Navy'''
'''The organization of the navy is divided into three groups:'''
'''* The British era, 1788–1887<br>* Auxiliary squadrons and subsidies, 1887–1909<br>* Australian squadron, 1909–'''
'''The British navy first arrived in Australia as a part of the first fleet. The first regular warship was stationed at Sydney in 1821, and the navy continued to be in Australia from that point on. In 1855 Australia’s first warship was built. Although Australia had organized its own navy by 1869, it was still under the protection of the British navy. In 1901 the Australian government took over jurisdiction of the navy. '''<br>
=== '''Availability of Records'''  ===
=== '''Availability of Records'''  ===


The records of regiments that served in Australia are available at some archives and genealogical societies in Australia. British military records are held at the Public Record Office listed below. Some records are also available on microfilm through the Family History Library.  
The records of regiments that served in Australia are available at some archives and genealogical societies in Australia. British military records are held at the Public Record Office listed below. Some records are also available on microfilm through the FamilySearch Library.  


'''Public Record Office'''<br>Ruskin Avenue<br>Kew<br>Richmond, Surrey TW9 4DU<br>ENGLAND <br>Internet: http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/default.htm  
'''Public Record Office'''<br>Ruskin Avenue<br>Kew<br>Richmond, Surrey TW9 4DU<br>ENGLAND <br>Internet: [http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/default.htm website]


Military records in Australia can be found in the following repository:  
Military records in Australia can be found in the following repository:  


'''Australian War Memoria'''l<br>G.P.O. Box 345<br>Canberra<br>Australian Capital Territory 2601<br>AUSTRALIA <br>Internet: http://www.awm.gov.au/  
'''Australian War Memoria'''l<br>G.P.O. Box 345<br>Canberra<br>Australian Capital Territory 2601<br>AUSTRALIA <br>[http://www.awm.gov.au/ website]


The Australian War Memorial holds a large collection of military records. The memorial has a research center, but the staff does not offer a research service. They will provide a list of other people who do research at their center. The following is a guide to the center’s records:
The Australian War Memorial holds a large collection of military records. The memorial has a research center, but the staff does not offer a research service. They will provide a list of other people who do research at their center. There are many research guides avalible at the site, under Research a Person.[https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/understanding-the-memorials-collection/researching-a-person website]


Bradley, Joyce, et al. ''Roll call! a guide to genealogical sources in the Australian War Memorial''. Canberra, Australia: Australian War Memorial, 1986. (Family History Library Call Number [http://webview/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=502185&disp=Roll+call!&columns=*,180,0 994 M23r]).  
'''Australian Goverment Department of Veteran's Affairs'''<br>GPO Box 9998<br>Brisbane QLD 4001<br>Phone:800-555-254<br>[https://www.dva.gov.au/ website]. *Please be aware that webiste will be moving to its new home by the end of 2019.  


Other national offices that have records are:


'''Naval Records'''<br>Directorate of Sailors’ Postings<br>D-2-26<br>Department of Defence (Navy Office)<br>Russell Offices<br>Canberra<br>Australian Capital Territory 2600<br>AUSTRALIA <br>Internet: http://www.dva.gov.au/media/publicat/2004/oawg_journal2004/6_reference/04_ref_servicedetails.html


'''War Graves'''<br>The Office of Australian War Graves<br>Department of Veterans’ Affairs<br>P.O. Box 21<br>Woden<br>Australian Capital Territory 2606<br>AUSTRALIA <br>Internet: http://www.dva.gov.au/commem/oawg/general.htm
'''Military Historical Society of Australia'''<br>Federal Secretary<br>Military Historical Society of Australia<br>PO Box 5030<br>GARRAN ACT 2605<br>Australia<br>[http://www.mhsa.org.au/ website]


'''Military Historical Society'''<br>Federal Secretary<br>Military Historical Society of Australia<br>P.O. Box 30<br>Garran<br>Australian Capital Territory 2605<br>AUSTRALIA <br>Internet: http://www.mhsa.org.au/FedCouncil_biog/Alexander_biog.htm
'''Royal Australian Air Force -RAAF- Records'''<br>National Australian Archives Office and the RAAF Aviation heritage centres have records to help your search.<br>[http://www.naa.gov.au/ NAAwebsite] and [https://www.airforce.gov.au/displays/heritage-centre RAAF]


'''RAAF records'''<br>Australian Archives National Office<br>P.O. Box 34<br>Dickson<br>Australia Capital Territory 2602<br>AUSTRALIA <br>Internet: http://www.naa.gov.au/fsheets/FS97.html
'''Astralian Goverment Department of Veterans Affairs Pension Entitlements'''<br>Veterans’ Affairs Network<br>G.P.O. Box 802<br>Canberra<br>Australian Capital Territory 2601<br>AUSTRALIA <br>[https://www.dva.gov.au/benefits-and-payments website].
 
'''Pension Entitlements'''<br>Veterans’ Affairs Network<br>G.P.O. Box 802<br>Canberra<br>Australian Capital Territory 2601<br>AUSTRALIA <br>Internet:  


Most state archives will have some military records. For a listing of the archives and their addresses, see the "'''[[Australia Archives and Libraries|Archives and Libraries]]'''" article of this wiki. Check their holdings to determine exactly what the state archives have. Two states have military history societies that can help you. The addresses of these societies are:  
Most state archives will have some military records. For a listing of the archives and their addresses, see the "'''[[Australia Archives and Libraries|Archives and Libraries]]'''" article of this wiki. Check their holdings to determine exactly what the state archives have. Two states have military history societies that can help you. The addresses of these societies are:  


'''New South Wales'''<br>New South Wales Military Historical Society<br>112 Irvine Crescent<br>Ryde<br>New South Wales 2112<br>AUSTRALIA <br>Internet: http://www.mhsa.org.au/
'''New South Wales State Archives'''<br>Reading Room: 161 O'Connell Street<br>Kingswood NSW 2747<br> Telephone:(02)9673-1788<br>Email: info@records.nsw.gov.au<br>[https://www.records.nsw.gov.au/ website].
 
'''South Australia'''<br>South Australian Maritime Museum<br>126 Lipsom Street<br>Port Adelaide<br>South Australia 5015<br>AUSTRALIA <br>Internet: http://www.history.sa.gov.au/maritime/maritime.htm
 
The Family History Library has some Australian military records. Look in the Place Search of the FamilySearch Catalog under:
 
[[Australia_Military_Records|AUSTRALIA - MILITARY RECORDS]]
 
AUSTRALIA, [STATE] - MILITARY RECORDS
 
The following are some examples of military records:
 
''Military records: marriages, baptisms and births of military units in New South Wales, ca. 1850–1942''''''. Salt Lake City, Utah, USA: Filmed by the Genealogical Society of Utah, 1983. (Family History Library Microfilm 1368199.)'''
 
''Alphabetical lists of deserters from ships, 1852–1952 (South Australia)''''''. not published, [199-?]. (Family History Library Microfiche 6344807–6344808.)'''


Australian Army. ''Southern Tasmania Volunteer Artillery. Register of volunteers, 1879–1903, Southern Tasmanian Volunteer Artillery''''''. Salt Lake City, Utah, USA: Filmed by the Genealogical Society of Utah, 1975. (Family History Library Microfilm&nbsp; 919514–919516.)'''
'''South Australia'''<br>South Australian Maritime Museum<br>126 Lipsom Street<br>Port Adelaide<br>South Australia 5015<br>AUSTRALIA <br>[https://maritime.history.sa.gov.au/ website].


Great Britain. War Office. ''Muster rolls and pay lists of New South Wales Regiment, 1799–1823''''''. Canberra, Australia: Filmed by the National Library of Australia, [1908–?]. (Family History Library Microfilm 1483372–1483547.)'''


<br> <br>


[[Category:Australia military_records]]
[[Category:Australia]]

Latest revision as of 19:48, 16 June 2024


Australia Wiki Topics
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Record Types
Australia Background
Cultural Groups
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Online Records

FamilySearch Library

Australia - Military history ( 10 )
Australia - Military history - Army ( 2 )
Australia - Military history - Bibliography ( 1 )
Australia - Military history - Navy ( 1 )
Australia - Military history - Sources ( 1 )
Australia - Military history - Vietnam War, 1961-1975 ( 1 )
Australia - Military history - World War, 1914-1918 ( 3 )
Australia - Military records ( 64 )
Australia - Military records - Army ( 11 )
Australia - Military records - Army - Indexes ( 1 )
Australia - Military records - Army - World War, 1914-1918 ( 3 )
Australia - Military records - Handbooks, manuals, etc. ( 1 )
Australia - Military records - Indexes ( 2 )
Australia - Military records - Inventories, registers, catalogs ( 2 )
Australia - Military records - Korean War, 1950-1953 ( 1 )
Australia - Military records - Navy ( 4 )
Australia - Military records - Pensions ( 1 )
Australia - Military records - South African War, 1899-1902 ( 1 )
Australia - Military records - Vietnam War, 1961-1975 ( 3 )
Australia - Military records - World War, 1914-1918 ( 5 )
Australia - Military records - World War, 1939-1945 ( 4 )
Australia - Military records - World War, 1939-1945 - Regimental histories ( 1 )

Content

Military records identify individuals who either served in the military or who were eligible for service. Evidence that an ancestor served in the military may be found in family records, biographies, census, probate records, civil registration, and church records.

Military records may include:

  • Muster rolls
  • Personnel files
  • Regimental account books
  • Letters of deportment
  • Lists of officers
  • Pay vouchers or records
  • Pension records
  • Records of leave
  • Naval records
  • Descriptive rolls

Army

The history of the army in Australia can be divided into three main groups:

  • Imperial forces
  • Local colonial forces

Navy

The organization of the navy is divided into three groups:

  • The British era, 1788–1887
  • Auxiliary squadrons and subsidies, 1887–1909
  • Australian squadron, 1909–
  • The British navy first arrived in Australia as a part of the first fleet. The first regular warship was stationed at Sydney in 1821, and the navy continued to be in Australia from that point on. In 1855 Australia’s first warship was built. Although Australia had organized its own navy by 1869, it was still under the protection of the British navy. In 1901 the Australian government took over jurisdiction of the navy.

Imperial Forces (1788–1870)

The marines, under the direction of the Admiralty Board, were the first military presence in Australia. They arrived with the first fleet and were assigned to guard the convicts. In 1790 the marines were replaced by the first army regiment. The British maintained army regiments in Australia from that time until 1870.

Local Colonial Forces (1854–1901)

By 1842 Great Britain was pressing the colonies to develop and support their own defense force. By 1870 the last of the British troops had left Australia. In order to keep a strong military force, some colonies, including New South Wales and Victoria, offered land to those who had served at least five years in the military. The colonies soon realized they needed to coordinate their defense activities. As a result, in 1877 a British commissioner of defense came to the colonies and helped organize an army.

Availability of Records

The records of regiments that served in Australia are available at some archives and genealogical societies in Australia. British military records are held at the Public Record Office listed below. Some records are also available on microfilm through the FamilySearch Library.

Public Record Office
Ruskin Avenue
Kew
Richmond, Surrey TW9 4DU
ENGLAND
Internet: website

Military records in Australia can be found in the following repository:

Australian War Memorial
G.P.O. Box 345
Canberra
Australian Capital Territory 2601
AUSTRALIA
website

The Australian War Memorial holds a large collection of military records. The memorial has a research center, but the staff does not offer a research service. They will provide a list of other people who do research at their center. There are many research guides avalible at the site, under Research a Person.website

Australian Goverment Department of Veteran's Affairs
GPO Box 9998
Brisbane QLD 4001
Phone:800-555-254
website. *Please be aware that webiste will be moving to its new home by the end of 2019.


Military Historical Society of Australia
Federal Secretary
Military Historical Society of Australia
PO Box 5030
GARRAN ACT 2605
Australia
website

Royal Australian Air Force -RAAF- Records
National Australian Archives Office and the RAAF Aviation heritage centres have records to help your search.
NAAwebsite and RAAF

Astralian Goverment Department of Veterans Affairs Pension Entitlements
Veterans’ Affairs Network
G.P.O. Box 802
Canberra
Australian Capital Territory 2601
AUSTRALIA
website.

Most state archives will have some military records. For a listing of the archives and their addresses, see the "Archives and Libraries" article of this wiki. Check their holdings to determine exactly what the state archives have. Two states have military history societies that can help you. The addresses of these societies are:

New South Wales State Archives
Reading Room: 161 O'Connell Street
Kingswood NSW 2747
Telephone:(02)9673-1788
Email: info@records.nsw.gov.au
website.

South Australia
South Australian Maritime Museum
126 Lipsom Street
Port Adelaide
South Australia 5015
AUSTRALIA
website.

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