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==== Army Records ==== | ==== Army Records ==== | ||
The army began as a permanent organization in 1660. Earlier armies were raised as needed, usually as county militia units. The oldest regiment is generally known to be the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coldstream_Guards Coldstream Guards] which has been existence since 1660. For information on pre-1660 military records, see the handbooks listed at the end of this section. | The army began as a permanent organization in 1660. Earlier armies were raised as needed, usually as county militia units. The oldest regiment is generally known to be the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coldstream_Guards Coldstream Guards] which has been existence since 1660. 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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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. | ||
For information on how to locate your army soldiers by their Regiment consult: Fowler, Simon, [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=1405849&disp=Tracing+your+army+ancestors ''Tracing Your Army Ancestors''] (Pen & Sword, 2006) (Family History book 942 M27) | For information on how to locate your army soldiers by their Regiment consult: Fowler, Simon, [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=1405849&disp=Tracing+your+army+ancestors ''Tracing Your Army Ancestors''] (Pen & Sword, 2006) (Family History book 942 M27) | ||
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 [http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/militaryhistory/ The National Archives of England ]is labeled WO for locating all Army collections. Now the armey is run by comissioned officers. | |||
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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