were awarded - the Territorial Forces War Medal and the Silver War Badge (for those discharged
due to wounds or sickness). Note: Not all officers applied for their campaign medals - so if an
officer did not apply there will be no medal index card.
British Army World War I Service Records
> Under ‘Featured data collections’ (lower right) select ‘UK, British Army World War I Service
Records, 1914-1920’.
When inputting information for a Service Record,
minimal is often best. The example opposite
has only first and last name, plus regiment.
Surviving campaign medals can speed up a
search, as the regimental number can be located
on the rim.
Service records infrequently recorded middle
names. Proof of age was not required upon
enlistment so the year of birth may not be accurate
(use the year tool, see census tips (p.2) to allow for
any variation).
The results on Ancestry are for Non-Commissioned Officers and other ranks. Unfortunately, a
large percentage (approximately 60%) were destroyed in 1940 when bombs fell on the Army
repository. The salvaged service records are referred to as the ‘burnt records’. The fire damage is
often evident when viewed online - along with consequent water damage. The undamaged
records, those recovered from other government departments, are referred to as the ‘unburnt
records’; they are ‘service records derived from pension claims’. Surviving records can range from
one page to sixty, consequently information can extend to some or all of the following or more:
name, address, place of birth, age (not always factual), trade, place and date of enlistment,
service number/s, next of kin, siblings or children, theatre/s of war and units served in, conduct
sheet, medical history and treatment, pension correspondence, medal claims and enquiries from
relatives.
Tip: If your ancestor survived the War and you have no luck with Service Records try the Pension
Records as listed under ‘Featured data collections’.
NB: Over 217,000 officers’ records are at the National Archives in Kew. They are supplementary
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