How to find out about your ancestors’ military service

Millions of British and Irish military records are now digitised and searchable on genealogy websites like Findmypast. These include service records, pension files, draft registrations, medal rolls and casualty lists. You can search these record sets by name, birth year, and service branch. 

Some key record sets to explore are: 

• British Army Service Records - These may list your ancestor’s rank, regiment, physical description, next of kin and even conduct. 
• Medal Index Cards – These are particularly useful for First World War soldiers, as they show what medals were awarded and when. 
• Pension Records – Pension documents are helpful for finding veterans injured during service. 
• Royal Navy and Royal Air Force records - These offer insight into roles at sea or in the air, from engineers to pilots. 

When searching, remember that names may be misspelled. Be sure to try name variants and use filters like birth place or service number if known. 

The 1911 Census often includes military personnel stationed in Britain or abroad, especially within the British Empire. You may spot regimental details listed alongside their occupation. 

The 1921 Census goes even further – it includes those serving in the armed forces, plus detailed employer information for those working in military-related industries or recovering from the First World War in hospitals. 

Many local communities created memorials or rolls of honour listing those who served or were lost during the First and Second World Wars. Many of these have been transcribed online. 

You might also find your ancestor in unit histories or regimental war diaries, which document the daily life of military units and offer clues to where and how they served. 

Military service often appeared in newspapers, particularly if your ancestor received a medal, died in action, or returned home with honours. Newspaper archives may include personal mentions, letters from the front, or accounts of key battles involving their regiment. 

You might even find photographs or interviews, especially for those who served in notable roles or actions. 

Even if you only uncover a few facts about your ancestor’s service, learning about the regiment or conflict they were part of helps bring their experience to life. Did they fight at the Somme? Serve in the RAF during the Blitz? Knowing what they faced helps you to build a more vivid picture, so be sure to carry out background research. 

Some service records, particularly from the Second World War, are still held by the Ministry of Defence and may require a formal application to access. Older records may have been lost to time or fire (as with the ‘Burnt Documents’ of the First World War). 

Don’t be discouraged. Clues from censuses, newspapers, medals or even family stories can still help you piece together a story. 

Whether your ancestor served on the front line or worked tirelessly behind the scenes, military records can help you to understand their wartime experiences in startling detail.