British Military Personal Papers and Possessions[edit | edit source]

Paybooks[edit | edit source]

A Soldier's Record and Pay Book was issued to each soldier in the Army and had two parts to it. Part I was to be in their possession at all times and contained all identifying information pertaining to the soldier. Part II pertains to active service and is a record of pay. These books changed very little over time and may contain any of the following bits of information:

Sizes of their clothing
Personal information: Name, Birth, Regiment, Date of Attestation (enlistment) along with age at that time and a description of themselves, their trade at the time of attestation
Specific types of training and dates
Promotions with dates of such
Record of Leave time
Medical Issues with dates
Inoculations with dates
Name of an individual to be notified if necessary
Dates and amounts of Pay (Part II)

Much detail on these books is provided online by ab64.

Journals[edit | edit source]

Envelopes and Letters[edit | edit source]