How to find Devon and Dorset Regiment records
Researcher
Tue Oct 21 2025
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< 5 minutes read
Did your ancestor serve with the Devon and Dorset Regiment? Here's how to uncover their story in vivid detail, one British Army record at a time.
What was the Devon and Dorset Regiment?
Imagine your ancestor marching through the mud of Flanders in the First World War or advancing across North Africa in the Second World War. For many families, the Devon and Dorset Regiment is where their military story begins.
The Devon and Dorset Regiment was a proud infantry regiment of the British Army, formed in 1958 through the amalgamation of two historic light infantry regiments – the Devonshire Regiment and the Dorset Regiment.
Both of these British Army units had already seen distinguished service across the world, including both world wars. From the Napoleonic era to post-war peacekeeping, generations of soldiers served under their colours, leaving behind a remarkable paper trail of military records that family historians can explore today.
What did light infantry like the Devonshire and Dorset regiment do?
Throughout the 20th century, light infantry regiments were mobile and independent units tasked with reconnaissance and disrupting enemy forces prior to major battles. Using specialised tactics, they acted as an advance force which delayed the enemy - often playing a critical role in the British Army's success in battle.
Where can I find Devon and Dorset Regiment records online?
Digitised genealogy records make it easier than ever to trace relatives who served with this famous infantry regiment. On Findmypast, you’ll find a wide range of British Army records that include the Devonshire and Dorset Regiments, from service and pension records to casualty lists and medal rolls. These are invaluable for family history, helping you not only to confirm your ancestor’s regiment but also to uncover details of their service.
The 1939 Register and census records can also provide context, showing where your ancestor lived before or after their time in the Army. Together, these sources help build a picture that connects their military service to their wider life story.
How to search military records
When searching for Devon and Dorset Regiment ancestors, start with the information you already know - a name, rough date of birth, or home county. Regiment names were often recorded alongside service details, but sometimes you may need to search more broadly across British Army records and narrow your results down later.
If your ancestor served in the First or Second World War, medal index cards, war diaries and casualty lists are particularly useful. Be flexible with spellings, as clerical errors were common in handwritten records.
Don’t forget to check variants of the regiment's name too – earlier records will list men under the Devonshire Regiment or Dorset Regiment.
What information can I uncover?
Military records can provide extraordinary insights. You might find your ancestor’s:
- Service number and battalion
- Rank and promotions
- Enlistment and discharge dates
- Next of kin and home address
- Campaign medals or gallantry awards
- Records of wounds, illness, or time as a prisoner of war
Together, these details help you understand not just your ancestor’s military career but also the human story behind it - where they fought, the hardships they endured, and how British Army service shaped their lives.
Delve deeper with old newspapers
To bring your ancestor’s military service to life, it's a good idea to turn to online newspaper archives. Local papers frequently reported on men joining up, battlefield honours, and the sombre news of casualties.
When searching Findmypast's millions of digitised British and Irish pages, you may discover an article about your ancestor’s battalion, a roll of honour, or even a photograph.
Newspapers also help you understand the wider historical context of their service. A regimental diary might tell you where the Devon and Dorset Regiment fought, but newspaper reports can capture the impact on their hometown - the pride, the sacrifice, and the community that waited for their return.
With digitised genealogy records and historical newspaper pages, you can build up a vivid picture of what life was like when serving with the Devon and Dorset Regiment.