First World War Army

Its important when researching army veterans from any war to understand that army units are separated by Service Arms.Army culture is tied in to The Regiment even after service has ended so much detail of army service can be found from first locating the appropriate Regiment. If the Regiment is not known then the best place to locate a Veterans details is via his Army Service Record.

• Service Records All Servicemen and women have a record of their service whilst serving with the military. The Service record provides hard to find detail on the Service Men. However like all things there is a catch. First World War Service records are now accessible in the Public Records Office. All "burnt" records for Officers and Enlisted men are now complete. Please follow link for PRO Comments :- UPDATE Please be aware that 60% of other ranks service records were destroyed when the office was hit in 1940 during the blitz. It is quite possible therefore that the service record in question no longer exists.

  Regimental Museums The tradition is so strong in British Regiments that ,in general each has a supported Regimental museum. This is normally situated in the home town of the Regiment.

  War Diary Entries Each army unit was required to record daily activities in a War Diary

  Medal Rolls Every serviceman serving in a conflict is entitled to a campaign medal . His name rank and serial number is recorded on a medal roll.

  War Graves Commission If a soldier is killed in action ,British tradition is that he is buried near to where he fell. Detailed lists of army personnel buried in foreign graves are kept by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.(Where it is possible to locate the burial. Some War Graves memorials are just entries on a plaque.

  Old Comrades Associations Numerous veteran organisations exist to support veterans and provide contact to other veterans.(Note that most veterans of the First World War are about 100 yrs old )

  Regimental Histories The history of each Regiment is important for maintaining the tradition of the armed services and for providing an identity for serving men and women.

  Regimental Newsletters Many Regiments produce regular newsletters which contain such things as present activities right through contact/search pages for veterans and there families.

  Prisoner of War Records Prisoner of War records provide good information into a servicemans career.

  Local Records Offices These can be a good source of military history for the home Regiment.

Last Updated :- 2 October, 2002