Military service, especially during war time, can have a traumatic effect on an individual and families alike. Families, both at the time of war and descendants alike can have little appreciation for the dramatic events which unfolded around their loved ones. Sometime family members failed to come home. Sometimes they came home but would speak little upon their experiences. Yet, military records can be a key resource for genealogists. These records can explain a lot about one’s ancestors, including shedding light on their active service. For those who served in the Army, Royal Nay, Royal Air Force, Merchant Navy, or as a civilian with these organizations within Great Britain, then those service records will be found at the [British] National Archives. This includes records for those whose descendents may have moved to other countries, or for those from other countries who have served with Britain. Family History in the Wars is a guide to military records, both in paper and digital, within the National Archives.
Published by the Archives, this guide is intended to provide the necessary knowledge and skills required to research the archives for those who served in war between 1899 and 1953. These wars and conflicts include:
- Abor 1911-12
- Ashanti Rising 1900
- Second Beor/South African War 1899-1902
- The Third China War (Boxer Rebellion) 1900
- Burma 1930-32
- Operations in India and Afghanistan 1919-39
- Iraq (various between Dec. 1919 and Nov. 1920 and again in 1928)
- Kenya 1952-1960
- Korea (1950-1953)
- Malaya (between 1948 and 1960)
- North West Frontier 1908
- Palestine 1936-9 and Palestine 1945-8
- Persian Gulf 1909-15
- Somaliland (various time between 1901 and 1920)
- Tibet 1903-4
- The First World War
- The Second World War
The book suggests having certain upfront knowledge about what theatre and ancestor served in, along with regiment or ship information, etc. will help speed the process. Other questions suggested in the Introduction will also help lead to greater information resources. For example, having or knowing what medals someone earned may help lead to information on specific lists or rolls. Learn from this book about fields of battle, which services and groups participated, types of medals awarded for service and honor, and where to find associated records in the archives.
Included with those services mentioned above, this book covers women’s auxiliary and nursing units, prisoner-of-war files, civil defence, casualty lists, medals and gallantry awards. Not to mention, the chapters are rich with tips, techniques, and practical advice from an expert military researcher.
Contents
Foreword
Introduction
1. From 1899 to the end of the First World War
2. The inter-war years: 1919-39
3. The Second World War: 1939-45
4. Post-war: 1945-53
5. Consequences of war
6. Research Advice
Useful addresses and websites
Further reading
Picture captions and credits
Index
For your own copy of Family History in the Wars, published by the [British] National Archives, contact Family Roots Publishing; Item #: TNA06, Price: $7.84.