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England Military Records: Difference between revisions
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=== History and Background === | === History and Background === | ||
{{Wikipedia|Military history of England}} | |||
England was almost always involved in some military action. Some of these were: | |||
'''1455–1485:''' Wars of the Roses. These ongoing wars involved mostly knights pledged to lords or vassals. Few commoners were involved, and few records were kept. | |||
''' | '''1642–1651:''' Civil War and Cromwellian period. Disputes over the form of government and religion led to civil war. Only very brief military records of officers still exist. | ||
{{Wikipedia|Military history of the United Kingdom}} | |||
''' | '''1756–1763:''' Seven Years War. Called the French and Indian War in North America, this war involved 120,000 British soldiers and began a continuous series of army records. | ||
'''1775–1783:''' | '''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 England. 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. Also including the [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). | '''1854–1856:''' 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. | ||
'''1914–1918:'''World War I. About three million English troops served in this war. 750,000 died. | '''1914–1918:''' World War I. About three million English troops served in this war. 750,000 died. | ||
'''1939–1945:'''World War II. Over one million British soldiers and civilians died in the war. | '''1939–1945:''' World War II. Over one million British soldiers and civilians died in the war. | ||
=== Army Records === | |||
The army began as a permanent organization in 1660. Earlier armies were raised as needed, usually as county militia units. For information on pre-1660 military records, see the handbooks listed at the end of this section. | |||
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). | 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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GREAT BRITAIN - MILITARY HISTORY | GREAT BRITAIN - MILITARY HISTORY | ||
=== Navy Records === | |||
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. | ||
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Seamen often moved between the navy and the merchant marines. Until 1853 enlistment was informal and lasted for the ship’s commission, usually three years. Individual "ratings" (seamen) were not mentioned in navy records other than musters or pay lists unless they deserted, misbehaved, or earned a medal. After 1853 seamen often made the navy their career. They were assigned continuous service numbers and records were maintained for the duration of their careers. | Seamen often moved between the navy and the merchant marines. Until 1853 enlistment was informal and lasted for the ship’s commission, usually three years. Individual "ratings" (seamen) were not mentioned in navy records other than musters or pay lists unless they deserted, misbehaved, or earned a medal. After 1853 seamen often made the navy their career. They were assigned continuous service numbers and records were maintained for the duration of their careers. | ||
=== Royal Marines === | |||
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. | |||
=== Twentieth Century Records === | === Twentieth Century Records === | ||