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British Military Records: Difference between revisions
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Britain's armed forces comprise, in order of seniority, the Royal Navy (including the Royal Marines), Army and Royal Air Force. Other units can include local militia, fencibles, yeomanry and territorial units of the army. These are briefly discussed at the end of this section. | Britain's armed forces comprise, in order of seniority, the Royal Navy (including the Royal Marines), Army and Royal Air Force. Other units can include local militia, fencibles, yeomanry and territorial units of the army. These are briefly discussed at the end of this section. | ||
= History and Background = | |||
{{Wikipedia|Military history of England}} Britain has been regularly involved in military action. Examples of these are: | {{Wikipedia|Military history of England}} Britain has been regularly involved in military action. Examples of these are: | ||
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'''1939–1945:''' World War II. Just over 400,000 service personnel and civilians died in the war. | '''1939–1945:''' World War II. Just over 400,000 service personnel and civilians died in the war. | ||
[http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ The National Archives] (TNA), located at Kew, West London, houses a wealth of information on military personnel, much of it now available to download. See the "Online Resources" section below for further information. | [http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ The National Archives] (TNA), located at Kew, West London, houses a wealth of information on military personnel, much of it now available to download. See the "Online Resources" section below for further information. | ||
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'''<u>GREAT BRITAIN - MILITARY HISTORY</u>''' | '''<u>GREAT BRITAIN - MILITARY HISTORY</u>''' | ||
= '''Royal Navy''' = | = '''Royal Navy''' = | ||
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. | ||
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The Royal marines originally maintained military discipline on navy vessels. It has been a separate corps of the military since 1755, although under the control of the Admiralty and forming part of the Naval Service. Alphabetically arranged records of marines exist from 1790, some by enlistment date and others by discharge date. Service records up to 1926 can be accessed online via TNA. | The Royal marines originally maintained military discipline on navy vessels. It has been a separate corps of the military since 1755, although under the control of the Admiralty and forming part of the Naval Service. Alphabetically arranged records of marines exist from 1790, some by enlistment date and others by discharge date. Service records up to 1926 can be accessed online via TNA. | ||
= '''Army''' = | = '''Army''' = | ||
The army began as a permanent organization in 1660. Earlier armies were raised as needed, usually as county militia units. The oldest regiment is the Honourable Artillery Company, formed in 1537. For information on pre-1660 military records, see the handbooks listed at the end of this section. The Soldier in Later Medieval England database has names of about 250,000 soldiers. | The army began as a permanent organization in 1660. Earlier armies were raised as needed, usually as county militia units. The oldest regiment is the Honourable Artillery Company, formed in 1537. For information on pre-1660 military records, see the handbooks listed at the end of this section. The Soldier in Later Medieval England database has names of about 250,000 soldiers. | ||
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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> | ||
<u>'''Available Records'''</u> | === <u>'''Available Records'''</u> === | ||
'''Pre-1914''' | '''Pre-1914''' | ||
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There is currently a £30 fee for copies of these records and the record copies are normally heavily censored. | There is currently a £30 fee for copies of these records and the record copies are normally heavily censored. | ||
The application forms and guidlines can be found here: [http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/AboutDefence/WhatWeDo/Personnel/ServiceRecords/MakingARequestForInformationHeldOnThePersonnelRecordsOfDeceasedServicePersonnel.htm UK Veteran's Agency] | The application forms and guidlines can be found here: [http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/AboutDefence/WhatWeDo/Personnel/ServiceRecords/MakingARequestForInformationHeldOnThePersonnelRecordsOfDeceasedServicePersonnel.htm UK Veteran's Agency] | ||
= '''Royal Air Force''' = | = '''Royal Air Force''' = | ||
Formed on 1st April 1918 by merging the aviation branches of the existing services, namely the Royal Flying Corps (Army) and the Royal Naval Air Service (Royal Navy). This merger created the totally independent Royal Air Force (RAF), and is the oldest air force in the world. | Formed on 1st April 1918 by merging the aviation branches of the existing services, namely the Royal Flying Corps (Army) and the Royal Naval Air Service (Royal Navy). This merger created the totally independent Royal Air Force (RAF), and is the oldest air force in the world. | ||
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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''' = | ||
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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.<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> | ||
= '''Resources ''' = | = '''Resources ''' = | ||
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.] | ||
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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. | ||
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''Commissioned Sea Officers of the Royal Navy, 1660–1815.'' Three Volumes. N.p., n.d. (Family History Library book {{FHL|942 M23cs|disp=942 M23cs}}, films {{FHL|908026|film|disp=909026}}–027. BYU FHL book '''V 11 .G7 A52 vol.1'''.) | ''Commissioned Sea Officers of the Royal Navy, 1660–1815.'' Three Volumes. N.p., n.d. (Family History Library book {{FHL|942 M23cs|disp=942 M23cs}}, films {{FHL|908026|film|disp=909026}}–027. BYU FHL book '''V 11 .G7 A52 vol.1'''.) | ||
= '''Bibliography for Military Records''' = | = '''Bibliography for Military Records''' = | ||
The resorces listed below may assist you in your research: | The resorces listed below may assist you in your research: | ||