This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this site you agree to accept cookies.
If you enjoy this site please consider making a donation.
Site Home
Help & FAQs
Features
Submissions
Information
Advertisements
World War 1 One ww1 wwII greatwar great 1914 1918 first battalion regiment
This page provides a selection of hints and tips to help you discover the story of your family at war.
Has this website closed down?
No, the website is very much still active, it is updated almost every day. Our latest update was on 17th of November 2024Jump to:
The Great War 1914-1918 - The Second World War 1939-1945
Want to find out more about your relative's service? Want to know what life was like during the Great War or Second World War? Our Library contains many many diary entries, personal letters and other documents, all transcribed into plain text.
Please note: We do not currently have the resources to provide individual research.
Please add the story of your family member to our website so that their contribution can be remembered.
The Great War 1914-1918
Thanks to Heritage Lottery Fund support we now have a Great War Family History Leaflet and accompanying sheet to record your discoveries available to download and print.
WW1 Records
- The Wartime Memories Project Library
Want to find out more about your relative's service? Want to know what life was like during the Great War or World War Two? Our Library contains many many diary entries, personal letters and other documents, all transcribed into plain text along with a wide range of reference materials.
- Our Library offers one of the largest online collections of information on the Great War at a very reasonable price. <
- Find My Past
- Find My Past is one of the best sources for accessing WW1 service records.
- The National Archives, Kew, London.
- The National Archives hold a vast amount of documentary records, some are only available to view if you are able to visit the archive, but some records are available online. See thier Website to access online records and further information.
Casualties of War
- The Commonwealth War Graves Commission
- The Commonwealth War Graves Commission provide a searchable database of those buried in war graves or commemorated on memorials under their care. This is the most complete listing of British and Commonwealth personnel, with almost all names listed.
- Soldiers Died in the Great War, 1914-1919
- Soldiers Died in the Great War, 1914-1919, provides information on soldiers who lost thier lives, often recording thier home town, it is available via <Find My Past
- Soldier's Wills
- The wills of 230,000 British Empire soldiers have been placed on a new website, allowing families and historians to view them for the first time. There is a charge for this service. Search Soldier's Wills
- Silver War Badge
- The Silver War Badge was given to wounded and sick servicemen to show they had done their duty, each badge has a unique number and records are available via Find My Past
Looking at Photographs
- Uniforms and Badges
- Our Army Cap Badge page is under construction, but most are now available to view.
- The Photo Detective website has some excellent examples to help you identify uniforms and badges.
- www.worldwar1postcards.com details what information can be gleaned from postcards and help to identify details of uniform and equipment.
British Army
- Cap Badges
- Our Cap Badge page is under construction, but most are now available to view.
- Medal Cards
- Medal cards give the entitlement to service medals for the Great War and are the most complete record of those who served, unfortunately not all cards survive.
- Medal Card indexes are available via Find My Past
- Copies of Medal Cards are also available via The National Archives a fee is charged.
- Life at the Front
- The Long Long Trail website is an excellent resource for finding out more about the actions your relative was involved in. By sifting through the information listed for the regimental battalions(s) and division(s) for dates served, you can gain a good over view of life at the front.
- Army Service Numbers
- Paul Nixon's excellent website with information about regimental numbers and the dates on which these were issued to soldiers joining the British Army between 1881 and 1918.British Army Service Numbers 1881-1918
Royal Navy
- Ratings Service Records
- The service records of seamen serving in the Royal Navy are available via the National Archives: Registers of Seamen's Service
- Royal Naval Officers' Service Records
- Royal Naval Officers' Service Records are available online via The National Archives: RN Officer's Service Records
- Women's Royal Naval Service (WRNS)
- Women's Royal Naval Service (WRNS) Service Records are available online via The National Archives
- Surface Ships
- World War 1 Naval Combat is an excellent site to find out more about the war at sea, with information about the major battles and individual ships.
- WW1 - The Martime War is another very informative website with lots of detail about life at sea.
Royal Flying Corps & Royal Air Force
- Officers Records
- RAF Officers Records 1918-1922 are available online via The National Archives.
- RFC and RAF Casualties
- The RAF Museum provides access to officers casualty cards, this include the wounded and sick as well as those who lost their lives.
- Some RFC medal cards are available online via The National Archives a fee is charged.
- Women's Royal Air Force (WRAF)
- Women's Royal Air Force (WRAF) Service Records are available online via The National Archives
Australian Army
- Service Records
- All Australian WW1 service records (series B2455) have been digitised and are available to view online: Search by Name
Australian Flying Corps
- Service Records
- Some Australian WW1 Naval service records (series B2455) have been digitised and are available to view online: Search by Name
Royal Australian Navy
- Service Records
- Search for a record
Canadian Army
- Records
- Search for records of Soldiers, nurses and chaplains of the Canadian Expeditionary Force
- Last Post on the web has a searchable database of death notices for Canadian war veterans from The Great War
Indian Army
South African Army
New Zealand Army
US Army
- World War I Draft Registration Cards, American Soldiers of World War I - Death Index and World War I - U.S. Naval Deaths
- Records are available via Ancestry.com
- The LDS (Mormon) Church has microfilmed the records World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 for soldiers of the USA, you can obtain copies of the cards from the Family History Library (FHL) in Salt Lake City or the microfilm rolls can be ordered for viewing and photocopying from local Family History Centers for a small fee. Their website is: http://www.familysearch.org/
Prisoners of War
- The records of the International Red Cross are now available online Prisoners of the First World War ICRC historical records These record cards are often difficult to find on the website as they are not in strict alphabetical order. The 1914-1918.net guide to these records provides further information.
Medical Services
- British Nursing Service Records
- Nursing Service Records for the Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service, the Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service (Reserve) and the Territorial Force Nursing Service are available online via The National Archives
- Red Cross, St John's Nurses and Volunteers records are now available online.
- Australian Army Nursing Service
- The WW1 service records (series B2455) have been digitised and are available to view online: Search by Name
Non Combatants
- Australian
- The records of Australian non-combatants such as artists, photographers, chaplains, nurses, and historians (series B2455) have been digitised and are available to view online: Search by Name
Central Powers
Books
- Books are perhaps one of the best ways to learn more about what your relative went through in the Great War.
- Naval and Military Press have a fantastic range of books on almost every military subject at very competative prices
- We also have a list of Great War Books which may be of assistance.
Newspapers
- Find my Past is the best online archive for 20th Century British Newspapers
- Newspapers of the time are often the best source of info and photos, your local library or record office may hiold copies.
Frequently Asked Questions - The Great War 1914-1918
- Why did my relative serve in a regiment which was not local to his home?
- At the outbreak of war many men were already serving with the Territorial Army with regiments based close to their home towns, these men were called up at once and began their war service with the same regiment. In the first few months of the war Lord Kitchener appealed for men to join the armed forces and the "Pals Battalions" were formed, with men who lived or worked in the same area joining up together and going to war with these locally based units. However, the nature of the brutal fighting meant that in a particular battle many hundreds of men from the same towns were being killed or wounded on the same day. This had a very negative effect on moral at home and at the front.
- Some men tarvelled to enlist, in order to join a regiment with which they had a personal link, such as a father or grandfather having served in that regiment, or a relative of friend currrently serving or a link to the place they were born or brought up. Men who enlisted under the Derby Scheme in late 1915 were also given the chance to serve in a regiment of their choice.
- By the beginning of 1916 enthusiasm for volunteering had diminished and conscription was introduced, new recruits were no longer sent to join their local Regiment, but sent to join which ever unit needed replacements.
- Skilled men who had volunteered early in the war, were also "conscripted" from the army back to the home front to undertake vital war work such as munitions manufacture and ship building.
- Why did my relative change regiments?
- The most common reason for changing regiment is following a spell in hospital. When a man was injured at the front and required treatment in hospital, his place in the front line would have to be filled by another. By the time the man was fit enough to return, his regiment might be fully manned, so he would be sent to join another regiment to replace another injured man.
- Sometimes men to be transferred to fill a skills gap in another unit, sometimes permanently, sometimes as attached. Look out for the abbreviation att. on records.
- Men who joined up as Private soldiers and then received a Commission, would be allocated to which ever regiment required new officers, on completing their training.
- I can't find out where my relative's battalion served, how can I get this information?
- Some battalions are easier to find than others, many have excellent books which will spell out their experience in detail, but often it is easier to follow the movements of the Division to which they were attached. The website The Long Long Trail has some excellent pages explaining the structure of the army and details the major battles by Division.
- Reading the stories others have already posted on this site for a particular battalion can give you some good clues as to where to search for more information. Jot down the facts others have mentioned, such as places, dates and battles, you'll be surprised how much more you can find out by searching the web once you have a few facts to hand
- Why is my relative not listed on your website?
- All names listed on this website have been submitted by friends and relatives of those listed or by other interested parties such as those researching their local war memorial or taking part in community history schemes. If you know of someone whose name you would like to add to the website please add thier details via our online form, if possible please also write up what you know about them so that others may learn from and possibly add to their story.
- Can't you do the research for me?
- We are unable to provide individual research.
- The aim of our project is to encourage everyone to learn more about the Great War and we simply don't have enough volunteers to undertake research for everyone, plus half the fun of Family History is finding out for yourself. But if you're stuck, why not ask a question on our Facebook Page?
- Can I redesign your website to bring it up todate?
- No, thank you. Established in the 1990's we have decided to keep the orignial look, but the coding and databases which drive it are very much 21st century and are updated frequently to meet the changes and advances in technology.
Don't forget to share your stories with us!
Add Your Story
The Second World War 1939-1945
Obtaining Records.
- Service Records
- Service Records for British Service Personnel in WW2 are available to the person themselves, or if he or she has died to his or her immediate next of kin. Proof of identity will be required. Anyone else must obtain written permission from the person about whom they are enquiring, or from his or her next of kin, before any information will be given to them. For further information please see: www.veterans-uk.info
Resarching your Relative
- The Wartime Memories Project Library
Want to find out more about your relative's service? Want to know what life was like during the Scond World War? Our Library contains many many diary entries, personal letters and other documents, all transcribed into plain text. Please note we do not hold individual service records.
- Casualties of War
- The Commonwealth War Graves Commission provide a searchable database of those buried in war graves or commemorated on memorials under their care. This is the most complete listing of British and Commonwealth personnel, with almost all names listed. Many civilian casualties of the 2nd World war are also listed.
- Replacing Medals
- Replacement medals will not be issued by the British Government if they have been lost. For more information please see: Replacing campaign medals
Looking at Photographs
- Uniforms and Badges
- The Photo Detective website has some excelent examples to help you identify uniforms and badges.
Women's Land Army
- Records of Service
- for those who served in England, Scotland and Wales records are available to view on microfiche at The National Archives, Kew, Richmond, Surrey. The microfilm you need to ask for is: Series: MAF 421: Ministry of Food: Women's Land Army: Index to Service Records of the Second World War 1939-1948.
- Women's Land Army Badge
- To apply for the badge you need to complete an application form, these are available by writting to: Women's Land Army Unit, Defra, 5E Millbank, c/o 17 Smith Square, London, SW1P 3JR or send an email to: womenslandarmy@defra.gsi.gov.uk or telephone the Defra Helpline on 08459 335577 or you can Download the Application Form
For further information please see the Defra website Badges currently cannot be awarded posthumously.
Australian Army
- National Archives of Australia Armed services personnel records
- World War II Nominal Roll of Australia
Canadian Army
- Records
- Canadian Military Service Files.
- Service Files Canadian Armed Forces War Dead
Last Post on the web has a searchable database of death notices for Canadian war veterans from The Second World WarThe Canadian Book of Remembrance Contains the names of Canadians who died in Canadian Units in WW2.
Indian Army
Polish Army
- Polish soldiers fighting with the Allies
- To obtain the war records of Polish soldier who fought alongside the Allies in World War II, write to the British Army records office. Send details of your relationship to the soldier in question and the possible units and dates of service: Polish Army in Exile Records-British Ministry of Defence, APC Polish Enquiries, Building 28B, RAF Northolt, Westend Road, Rusilip, Middlesex, HA4 6NG, England
South African Army
New Zealand Army
US Army
- The American Battle Monuments Commission Searchable database listing monuments to US Casualties.
Other Sources
- Find my Past is the best online archive for 20th Century British Newspapers
German Forces
- Luftwaffe Archives & Records Reference GroupA co-operative resource for world-wide research on the German Air Force, 1933-1945.
- The German Wargraves Commission
- Deutsche Dienststelle (WASt) for the notification of next-of-kin of members of the former German Wehrmacht who were killed in action
- Cannock Chase German Military Cemetery
- The German Public Records Office
Frequently Asked Questions - The Second World War 1939-1945
- Why is my relative not listed on your website?
- All names listed on this website have been submitted by friends and relatives of those listed or by other interested parties such as those researching their local war memorial or taking part in community history schemes. If you know of someone whose name you would like to add to the website please add thier details via our online form, if possible please also write up what you know about them so that others may learn from and possibly add to their story.
- Can't you do the research for me?
- We are currently unable to provide individual research.
- Why did my relative serve in a regiment which was not local to his home?
- At the outbreak of war many men were already serving with the Territorial Army with regiments based close to their home towns, these men were called up for active service at once and began their war service with the same regiment. Likewise those serving in the regular army and those on the reserve lists would usually serve with the same regiment, though some changed battalion. Civilians who were conscripted underwent training and were then assigned to regiments which required more manpower, so are unlikley to be allocated to their local unit.
- Why did my relative change regiments?
- Sometimes men would be transferred to fill a skills gap in another unit, sometimes permanently, sometimes as attached. Look out for the abbreviation att. on records.
- Men who joined up as Private soldiers and then received a Commission, would be allocated to which ever regiment required new officers, on completing their training.
- Can I redesign your website to bring it up todate?
- No, thank you. Established in the 1990's we have decided to keep the orignial look, but the coding and databases which drive it are very much 21st century and are updated frequently to meet the changes and advances in technology.
- www.AbeBooks.co.uk Can't find the book you need? Try abeBooks, find more than 110 million out-of-print books worldwide.
- Genes Reunited
- Army Numbers Allocated to Corps and Regiments of the British Army
- Identifying British Cap Badges
- Medal Ribbon Checker for British Orders, Decorations and Medals
- The UK National Archives Great War Medal Cards now available online.
- The National Archives of Canada
- Last Post on the web has a searchable database of death notices for Canadian war veterans from both conflicts
- Canadian Air Force Honours and Awards an alphabetical listing of citations for Canadians who served in the RCAF and RAF plus Commonweath Airmen who recieved Canadian honours, WW1 and WW2.
- US National Archives and Records Administration
- The B-26 Marauder & Ninth Air Force Association Archives
- Dutch representatives of Bomber Command AssociationTrying to trace missing Allied Airmen? Looking for information on crashed aircraft?
- The Ex-Forces Network
- Warships.netInformation on ships of the British Navy
- Accident Report.comOffers accident reports and information on USAAF and USN. *Charges for service.
- research on the German armed forces 1918-1945
- How to determine US Army Serial Numbers and a wealth of other information on army life.
- The Association of Liberation Children An excelent organisation helping children track down their parents.
- Occupation Babies
- Airforce Personel from Cumbria, UK The RAF Millom museum are compiling an index.
Have you tried your local library and local historical groups?
The Wartime Memories Project is a non profit organisation run by volunteers.
This website is paid for out of our own pockets and from donations made by visitors. The popularity of the site means that it is exceeding available resources.
If you are enjoying the site, please consider making a donation, however small to help with the costs of keeping the site running.
Hosted by:
Website © Copyright MCMXCIX - MMXXIII
- All Rights Reserved
