UK National Archives Podcasts

The UK National Archives offers audio guides (in MP3 format) on how to obtain service records for various military personnel.There are podcasts for Royal Air Force service records; Customs and Excise service records; Army Service Records from 1760 to 1913; Royal Navy service records; and many more interesting talks available here.

Veterans UK: Requests from former Service personnel

Requests from former Service personnel for his/her personal data held by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) can be made to the Service Personnel and Veterans Agency and are processed in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998. These requests are called Subject Access Requests (SAR). Service records that are held by the MoD date from approx. 1926 to present day. A SAR must be made in writing and must be accompanied by proof of identity (e.g. a copy of a passport or recent utilities bill), and sufficient information to locate the data sought.

To assist the search, your letter should include as much information as possible e.g.:

• Service Number, Rank, Full Name, Date of Birth and period served (dates from and to).
• Requests for data for ex-Army personnel must also include the Regiment or Corps.

A full copy of the record can be requested however, original documents; discharge papers/books can not be replaced. The MoD will also provide extracts from service records. Once all the necessary information has been received, your request will be processed and you should receive a reply within 40 calendar days.

National Archives documents online

The UK National Archives also publish many documents online which may help you with your research, there is a per-record charge system in place here, approx. GBP £2.00 per record.

1. Army records
2. Navy records
3. Air Force records

Genealogy and Family History records (www.ancestry.co.uk)

In addition, you may find some genealogical records useful. At Ancestry.co.uk there are a series of WWI records from UK and Ireland listed. It does require you to register for a free trial but you will get 14 days without having to pay - have the details of the relative you are researching to hand. Note: About 50% of the records are unavailable, many were destroyed during the 1940 London Blitz.

Featured Military Research Categories

1. British Army WWI Medal Rolls
2. Royal Naval Division Casualties
3. British Army WWI Pensions
4. British Army WWI Service Records, 1914-1920