111
edits
British Military Records: Difference between revisions
no edit summary
(added information + links) |
KitzmillerJM (talk | contribs) No edit summary |
||
| Line 41: | Line 41: | ||
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. | ||
| Line 67: | Line 67: | ||
These Attestation papers give the age, birthplace, trade and physical characteristics of each man on recruitment and details of his enlistment and attestation. There is a summary of his service and details of his discharge. The forms are arranged alphabetically under the year of attestation or discharge. | These Attestation papers give the age, birthplace, trade and physical characteristics of each man on recruitment and details of his enlistment and attestation. There is a summary of his service and details of his discharge. The forms are arranged alphabetically under the year of attestation or discharge. | ||
For more information see "[http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/records/looking-for-person/royalmarines.htm?WT.lp=rg-3189 Looking for records of a Royal Marine]" on The National Archives website. | For more information see "[http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/records/looking-for-person/royalmarines.htm?WT.lp=rg-3189 Looking for records of a Royal Marine]" on The National Archives website. | ||
== Army == | == Army == | ||
| Line 85: | Line 85: | ||
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> | ||
=== Available Records === | === Available Records === | ||
| Line 105: | Line 105: | ||
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> | ||
=== Civilians === | === Civilians === | ||
| Line 131: | Line 131: | ||
RAF Officers can also be found listed in the Air Force lists, which have been published annually since August 1918, Most public libraries have copies available to browse. | RAF Officers can also be found listed in the Air Force lists, which have been published annually since August 1918, Most public libraries have copies available to browse. | ||
There are a large number of records held at TNA that can be researched such as Station and Squadron record books; photo albums and so forth. | There are a large number of records held at TNA that can be researched such as Station and Squadron record books; photo albums and so forth. | ||
== Casualties == | == Casualties == | ||
| Line 170: | Line 170: | ||
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 === | ||
| Line 176: | Line 176: | ||
Brave conduct, meritorious service and so forth have long been awarded 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 awarded 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 (Medals): === | === Online Resources (Medals): === | ||
| Line 184: | Line 184: | ||
Various medal rolls for different campaigns also exist in various forms e.g. printed books; CD's; TNA records etc. Some are also available on the subscription based sites such as Ancestry and Find My Past. | Various medal rolls for different campaigns also exist in various forms e.g. printed books; CD's; TNA records etc. Some are also available on the subscription based sites such as Ancestry and Find My Past. | ||
The [http://www.britishmedalforum.com British Medals Forum] is probably about as definitive a website as one can find when it comes to the subject of British medals of any type. A huge fount of knowledge resides on the forum and membership is free. | The [http://www.britishmedalforum.com British Medals Forum] is probably about as definitive a website as one can find when it comes to the subject of British medals of any type. A huge fount of knowledge resides on the forum and membership is free. | ||
== Understanding Military Records == | == Understanding Military Records == | ||
| Line 200: | Line 200: | ||
=== WO 12 Series: General Muster Books and Pay Lists === | === WO 12 Series: General Muster Books and Pay Lists === | ||
These records begin in 1732 and end in 1878. They cover guards, infantry, cavalry, and household troops. According to the National Archives these records also include special groups, such as colonial troops, various foreign legions, special regiments, and other depots.<br> | These records begin in 1732 and end in 1878. They cover guards, infantry, cavalry, and household troops. According to the National Archives these records also include special groups, such as colonial troops, various foreign legions, special regiments, and other depots.<br> | ||
These records show an individual's enlistment dates, his movements and dischage dates as show below, notice the sections under "First Muster, Second Muster, and Third Muster", these are the locations of the soldiers at the time of their pay. <br> | These records show an individual's enlistment dates, his movements and dischage dates as show below, notice the sections under "First Muster, Second Muster, and Third Muster", these are the locations of the soldiers at the time of their pay. <br> | ||
[[Image:3rdbk-DSCN0211-1.png]] | [[Image:3rdbk-DSCN0211-1.png]] | ||
| Line 208: | Line 208: | ||
*Photo curtesy of the National Archives at Kew, London, England<br> | *Photo curtesy of the National Archives at Kew, London, England<br> | ||
If the information you seek is after 1868. there is a "Roll of Married Establishment" which lists husbands and wives as shown below:<br> | If the information you seek is after 1868. there is a "Roll of Married Establishment" which lists husbands and wives as shown below:<br> | ||
[[Image:Marriage-roll-2a.png|640x321px]] | [[Image:Marriage-roll-2a.png|640x321px]] | ||
| Line 214: | Line 214: | ||
*Photo curtesy of the National Archives at Kew, London, England<br> | *Photo curtesy of the National Archives at Kew, London, England<br> | ||
Recording all this information must have been a daunting task as these books are very large as shown in the earlier picture. There are 13, 307 volumes of these records located at the National Archives. To view them, you have to be there and view them in a special document room. <br> | Recording all this information must have been a daunting task as these books are very large as shown in the earlier picture. There are 13, 307 volumes of these records located at the National Archives. To view them, you have to be there and view them in a special document room. <br> | ||
Because photopying these very large volumes would be extremely difficult, you can use a camera (without flash) to capture the images. <br> | Because photopying these very large volumes would be extremely difficult, you can use a camera (without flash) to capture the images. <br> | ||
If you are unable to visit the National Archives, they provide a document service at £0.40 per page.<br> | If you are unable to visit the National Archives, they provide a document service at £0.40 per page.<br> | ||
Visit $ [http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/displaycataloguedetails.asp?CATLN=3&CATID=13072&SearchInit=4&CATREF=wo+12&j=1 WO12 Series General Muster Books and Pay Lists] to learn more about these valuable records. | Visit $ [http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/displaycataloguedetails.asp?CATLN=3&CATID=13072&SearchInit=4&CATREF=wo+12&j=1 WO12 Series General Muster Books and Pay Lists] to learn more about these valuable records. | ||
=== Description Books === | === Description Books === | ||
| Line 310: | Line 310: | ||
*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> | ||
'''POWs''' | '''POWs''' | ||
The [http://www.icrc.org/eng/index.jsp International Committee of the Red Cross ]has an [http://www.icrc.org/eng/war-and-law/protected-persons/prisoners-war/index.jsp incomplete list of all known POWs and internees] of all nationalities for both World Wars. Searches can be made only by a written request and an hourly rate is charged. To learn more about how to obtain a copy of a listing use the [http://www.icrc.org/eng/resources/documents/misc/order.htm contact information ]located on their website. | The [http://www.icrc.org/eng/index.jsp International Committee of the Red Cross ]has an [http://www.icrc.org/eng/war-and-law/protected-persons/prisoners-war/index.jsp incomplete list of all known POWs and internees] of all nationalities for both World Wars. Searches can be made only by a written request and an hourly rate is charged. To learn more about how to obtain a copy of a listing use the [http://www.icrc.org/eng/resources/documents/misc/order.htm contact information ]located on their website. | ||
== Resources == | == Resources == | ||
| Line 320: | Line 320: | ||
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: | ||
| Line 330: | Line 330: | ||
'''Ministry of Defense'''<br>Main Building, Whitehall SW1A 2HB<br>England <br>[http://www.mod.uk/defenceinternet/home Internet] | '''Ministry of Defense'''<br>Main Building, Whitehall SW1A 2HB<br>England <br>[http://www.mod.uk/defenceinternet/home Internet] | ||
'''Imperial War Museum''' | '''Imperial War Museum''' | ||
[http://www.iwm.org.uk/ Imperial War Museum], London (WWI & WWII Collections) | [http://www.iwm.org.uk/ Imperial War Museum], London (WWI & WWII Collections) | ||
Records at the Family History Library | Records at the Family History Library | ||
| Line 370: | Line 370: | ||
MILITARY RECORDS - ARMY | MILITARY RECORDS - ARMY | ||
MILITARY RECORDS - NAVY | MILITARY RECORDS - NAVY | ||
== Search Strategies == | == Search Strategies == | ||