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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: | {{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. | '''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. | ||
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'''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. | '''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}} | {{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. | '''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. | ||
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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 [http://www.icmacentre.ac.uk/soldier/database/search.php Soldier in Later Medieval England] database has names of about 250,000 soldiers.<br> | [[Image:British Military.jpg|thumb|right|200x300px]]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 [http://www.icmacentre.ac.uk/soldier/database/search.php Soldier in Later Medieval England] database has names of about 250,000 soldiers.<br> | ||
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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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: | ||
GREAT BRITAIN - MILITARY HISTORY | GREAT BRITAIN - MILITARY HISTORY | ||
==== Navy Records ==== | ==== Navy Records ==== | ||
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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. | ||
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 ==== | ==== 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. | |||
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 === | ||
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WW1 Army medal rolls are also available through [http://www.ancestry.co.uk www.ancestry.co.uk] if you have a subscription they are free. Otherwise you will have to pay £2 fee '''for the same record '''if you get it through [http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/] | WW1 Army medal rolls are also available through [http://www.ancestry.co.uk www.ancestry.co.uk] if you have a subscription they are free. Otherwise you will have to pay £2 fee '''for the same record '''if you get it through [http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/] | ||
<br> | <br> | ||
=== United Kingdom World War I Army Service Records === | === United Kingdom World War I Army Service Records === | ||
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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. | 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> | <br> | ||
=== Locating Military and Naval Records === | === Locating Military and Naval Records === | ||
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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 | 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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Post-1914 navy records are at: | Post-1914 navy records are at: | ||
'''Ministry of Defense'''<br>Main Building, Whitehall SW1A 2HB<br>England <br>Internet: http://www.mod.uk/defenceinternet/home | '''Ministry of Defense'''<br>Main Building, Whitehall SW1A 2HB<br>England <br>Internet: http://www.mod.uk/defenceinternet/home | ||
=== Records at the Family History Library === | === Records at the Family History Library === | ||
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MILITARY RECORDS - ARMY | MILITARY RECORDS - ARMY | ||
MILITARY RECORDS - NAVY | MILITARY RECORDS - NAVY | ||
=== Search Strategies === | === Search Strategies === | ||
It is difficult to locate an individual’s record without knowing his ship or regiment. If you do not know this, you may find it in other types of records. Once you know the regiment or ship, consult the muster rolls, records of service, or other records available for that ship or regiment. Strategies for finding the ship or regiment follow. | It is difficult to locate an individual’s record without knowing his ship or regiment. If you do not know this, you may find it in other types of records. Once you know the regiment or ship, consult the muster rolls, records of service, or other records available for that ship or regiment. Strategies for finding the ship or regiment follow. | ||
==== What is a Service Record? ==== | ==== What is a Service Record? ==== | ||
Many records have been produced to give information about a military man's career. Company clerks were ordered to document certain activities of each regiment and these collections detail specific periods and events. The most useful collections for family historians fall in the following collections: | Many records have been produced to give information about a military man's career. Company clerks were ordered to document certain activities of each regiment and these collections detail specific periods and events. The most useful collections for family historians fall in the following collections: | ||
*Enrollment (attestation) | *Enrollment (attestation) | ||
*Muster Rolls (roll call) | *Muster Rolls (roll call) | ||
*Discharge | *Discharge | ||
*Stations or assignments | *Stations or assignments | ||
*Diaries | *Diaries | ||
*Medal rolls | *Medal rolls | ||
*Pensions for disability or death | *Pensions for disability or death | ||
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Many officers are included in published biographies, such as: | Many officers are included in published biographies, such as: | ||
''Commissioned Sea Officers of the Royal Navy, 1660–1815.'' Three Volumes. N.p., n.d. (Family History Library book [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titlehitlist&columns=*%2C0%2C0&callno=942+M23cs 942 M23cs], films [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=filmhitlist&columns=*%2C0%2C0&filmno=908026 909026]–027.) | ''Commissioned Sea Officers of the Royal Navy, 1660–1815.'' Three Volumes. N.p., n.d. (Family History Library book [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titlehitlist&columns=*%2C0%2C0&callno=942+M23cs 942 M23cs], films [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=filmhitlist&columns=*%2C0%2C0&filmno=908026 909026]–027.) | ||
=== Handbooks for Military Records === | === Handbooks for Military Records === | ||
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Rodgers, N.A.M. ''Naval Records for Genealogists''. Second Edition. London, England: Her Majesty’s Stationery Office, 1988. (Family History Library book [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=367639&disp=Naval+records+for+genealogists%20%20&columns=*,0,0 942 A5] number 22.) | Rodgers, N.A.M. ''Naval Records for Genealogists''. Second Edition. London, England: Her Majesty’s Stationery Office, 1988. (Family History Library book [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=367639&disp=Naval+records+for+genealogists%20%20&columns=*,0,0 942 A5] number 22.) | ||
Swinson, Arthur S., Editor. ''A Register of the Regiments and Corps of the British Army''. London, England: Archive Press, 1972. (Family History Library book [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=264575&disp=A+register+of+the+regiments+and+corps+of%20%20&columns=*,0,0 942 M2].) | Swinson, Arthur S., Editor. ''A Register of the Regiments and Corps of the British Army''. London, England: Archive Press, 1972. (Family History Library book [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=264575&disp=A+register+of+the+regiments+and+corps+of%20%20&columns=*,0,0 942 M2].) | ||
=== External Links === | === External Links === | ||
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*http://genealogy.about.com/od/british_military/index.htm | *http://genealogy.about.com/od/british_military/index.htm | ||
{{Place|England}} | {{Place|England}} | ||
[[Category:England|Military Records]] | [[Category:England|Military Records]] | ||