National Army Museum : Collections and Research : Research Tips

Researching a soldier’s military career

Surviving records relating to soldiers whose service ended in or before 1920 (other ranks) and 1922 (officers) are held by the National Archives (formerly known as the Public Record Office), Ruskin Avenue, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 4DU.

Records relating to soldiers who served after 1920 (other ranks) and 1922 (officers) are still held by the Ministry of Defence (Army Personnel Centre, Historic Disclosures, Mailpoint 400, Kentigern House, 65 Brown street, Glasgow G2 8EX)

The private papers of senior British soldiers can be traced via the National Register of Archives.

You can find more detailed guidance on the Ancestor Tracing pages of the Army Museums Ogilby Trust website.

Finding soldiers who died during the First and Second World Wars

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission keeps records relating to all those who died on active service in the two World Wars. A database of casualties is accessible via the Commission’s website.

Tracing former Army comrades

The Royal British Legion runs a service called ‘Lost Trails’, which aims to reunite old army friends. Telephone Legionline on 0345 725 725 to register your search on this computerised service, or write to Legion, Centurion Publishing Ltd, 17 Britton Street, London, EC1M 5NQ

You can also register at www.forcesreunited.org.uk

Researching Indian Army soldiers

Official records relating to European soldiers who served in the East India Company and Indian Army are held in the British Library Asia, Pacific and Africa Collections.

Researching prisoners of war

The International Committee of the Red Cross in Geneva keeps lists of all known POWs and internees of all nationalities for the Second World War. Enquiries concerning these lists should be directed to:

Archives Division and Research Service
International Committee of the Red Cross
19 Avenue de la Paix, Geneva CH-1202, Switzerland
Email: archives.gva@icrc.org
Internet: www.icrc.org