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 The following information may assist with research into the service career of a relative. Information can only be disclosed to:
- The ex-serviceman or woman to whom the information belongs.
- The widow/widower of a deceased ex-serviceman or woman.
- The legal next of kin, if both the ex-serviceperson and their spouse are deceased.
Please note that the MOD retains many thousands of records of former members of the British Armed Forces, many of which are not held on computer. As it creates a time consuming task when checking them, a fee (currently £25.00) is levied for each record researched. Only the Serviceman or his widow are exempt the fee. Payment may be made in Sterling by cheque, UK Postal Order, or International Money Order.
Visit Veterans' Agency Service Records
Veterans Agency Helpline http://www.veteransagency.mod.uk/pdfolder/contactpdfs/Helpline.pdf
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Army
Army service records are archived and stored by the Regiment or Corps. It is important that this information is included when requests for details from service records are made. Requests for Army service records should be made to the addresses below. Please note that the Household Cavalry and the Foot Guards keep their own archives.
 Records for all ranks that enlisted prior to 1920
As of August 2002, all records for all ranks that enlisted prior to 1920 will be held at the Public Records Office (PRO) http://www.pro.gov.uk/.
Unfortunately two thirds of First World War service records for the Army were destroyed during the Blitz of London in the second World War.
For a statement of service or part of the information contained in the service record for an Officer or Other Rank who served from 1920 onwards please write to one of the addresses listed below:
For personnel whose discharge date is less than 3 years ago or reserve liability ceased less than 3 years ago:
Army Personnel Centre
Disclosure 1
Mail Point 520
Kentigern House
65 Brown Street
Glasgow
G2 8EX
For personnel whose discharge date is more than 3 years ago or reserve liability ceased more than 3 years ago:
Historical Disclosures
Mail Point 400
Kentigern House
65 Brown Street
Glasgow
G2 8EX
Records for all ranks that served after 1920
The Army Personnel Centre now has a focal point for requests for the entire contents of a service record, regardless of where the record is stored. Please write to:
Army Personnel Centre
Disclosure 2
Mail Point 515
Kentigern House
65 Brown Street
Glasgow
G2 8EX
 When Army personnel discharge their Service Record is retained at the Army Personnel Centre for 3 years after discharge or 3 years after Reserve Service liability has finished. The records are then archived at the Defence Records 2a.
For service records of Household Cavalry Personnel please write to:
The Curator
The Household Cavalry Museum
Combermere Barracks
Windsor
SL4 3DN
For service records of Footguards Regiments other Ranks please write to:
Regimental Headquarters
****** Guards
Wellington Barracks
Birdcage Walk
London
SW1E 6HQ
(******** Please insert the Regiment )
SSAFA Forces Help
National charity helping serving and ex-Service men, women and their families in need. Committed to helping people in need, suffering or distress, regardless of age or condition.
Army Benevolent Fund
The Army Benevolent Fund (ABF) is the Army's national charity and is committed to the welfare of Army and ex-Army personnel and their families.
The Royal British Legion
The Royal British Legion is the UK's leading charity safeguarding the welfare, interests and memory of those who have served in the Armed Forces and their dependants.
Army Families Federation
AFF is a registered charity that acts as a unique two-way communications link between the British Army and its families
Army Welfare Service
(AWS) provides comprehensive community and personal support to servicemen and women and their families.
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Navy
Prior to 1972 all RN personnel were given their service record when they discharged. For pension purposes the RN retained pay details. Therefore the only information held on RN personnel who served prior to 1972 is their Service details (number, rank, name etc) and a list of dates and ships/shore bases. Records for RN personnel are held in different locations according to the period served and rank.
 Records for Officers
Records for Officers who enlisted prior to 1914 are held at the Public Records Office (PRO). http://www.pro.gov.uk/ .
Records for Officers aged over 60 years and Second World War RNR/RNVR are held at:
Navy Correspondence
MoD Repository
Government Buildings
Bourne Avenue
Hayes
Middlesex
UB3 1RS
E-mail: navysearch.defencerecords2@gtnet.gov.uk
Records for Officers under the age of 60 years that are still serving or retired are held at:
Officers' Mobilisation Section
Room 171
Victory Building
HM Naval base
Portsmouth
PO1 3LS
Royal Marines
Records for Officers who enlisted before 1926 are held at the Public Records Office (PRO) http://www.pro.gov.uk/
Records for Officers and Other Ranks who enlisted 1926 onwards are held at:
Historical Records Royal Marines
Room 038
MoD
Centurion Building
Grange Road
Gosport
PO13 9XA
 Records for Ratings
Records for Ratings who enlisted prior to 1924 and First World War records for WRNS are held at the Public Records Office (PRO) http://www.pro.gov.uk/
Records for Ratings who enlisted between 1924-1939 and WRNS who enlisted between 1939 and 1955 are held at:
Navy Correspondence
MoD Repository
Government Buildings
Bourne Avenue
Hayes
Middlesex
UB3 1RS
Email: navysearch.defencerecords2@gtnet.gov.uk
Records for Ratings who enlisted 1939 onwards and WRNS who enlisted 1956 onwards are held at:
Naval Pay and Pensions (Accounts)
Centurion Building
Grange Road
Gosport
PO13 9XA
Royal Fleet Auxiliary
Room 11
Lancelot Building
HM Naval Base
Portsmouth
PO1 3NH
Royal Naval Benevolent Trust
The RNBT exists to give help at times of need to the members of the 'RNBT Family' - those who are serving or have served as RN ratings or RM other ranks and their wives, husbands and other dependants.
The Royal Naval Association
Established to further the efficiency and well being of the Service, preserve its traditions and encourage recruiting. To provide facilities for bringing members together and advise members and their dependants on personal matters.
Royal Navy & Royal Marines Reference Site
These pages contain a broad range of information including Families Information Briefs on Operational, Personnel and other issues.
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RAF
 Please write to:
PMA(Sec)1b
Building 248A
RAF Innsworth
Gloucester
GL3 1EZ
Visit Veterans' Agency Service Records
Service records of RAF Officers that served prior to 1922 and Airmen that served prior to 1924 have been transferred to the Public Records Office (PRO) (http://www.pro.gov.uk/)
The Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund
The Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund exists to provide assistance to those of the extended Royal Air Force Family
The Royal Air Force Association
RAFA Welfare covers a wide range of welfare services for all members of the Air Force Family.
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Books
The following books may be of some use. Click the titles to order.
The Good Web Guide to Genealogy (ISBN: 1903282454)
Family History Starter Pack (ISBN: 1873162995)
Tracing Your Ancestors in the Public... (ISBN: 1903365341)
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Software
This software may also be of use. Click title to order .
Family Tree Quick & Easy
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Historical Records and Information
Historical Manuscript Commission
HMC is the UK's central advisory body on archives and manuscripts relating to British history.
Gazettes Online
Are you looking for records of military honours in World War 1 and 2? Try the London Gazette archive
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Further Family Help
FamilyRecords.gov.uk
This site, provided by the FamilyRecords.gov.uk consortium, aims to help you find the government records and other sources you need for your family history research.
The Royal British Legion
The Royal British Legion is the UK's leading charity safeguarding the welfare, interests and memory of those who have served in the Armed Forces and their dependants.
HIVE
HIVEs offer a wide range of general information of use to families and single Service personnel.
LookupUK
The Resource Centre for finding that Lost Friend or Relative in the UK.
GoneMissingUK
A new missing persons website to help locate missing persons everywhere. If you're looking for someone, leave a message, you never know who will surf on in. Who knows?, someone may be looking for you!!!
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