Infantry driver british army records

You can start with any relative who you think was in the army, navy or raf. Information about british army service records 17601915 these record collections provide rich and detailed information about soldiers of the british army. Our men and women serve in one of 18 regiments, which together have 33 regular battalions and 16 reserve battalions. The allies led by britain and its commonwealth and the united states fought in the most widespread war in history, with. Afterwards, its off to the defence school of transport for 2 weeks to learn how to be an army driver. Many records are only available online, sometimes on more than one site.

Bounty land youll find basic genealogical information in these application files. The regiment comprises 6 battalions and 1 independent company of combat. The first is labelled not nextofkins records and the second british army. This is a list of regiments within the british army s royal armoured corps during world war ii on the creation of the corps in 1939, just before the outbreak of world war ii, it comprised those regular cavalry and territorial army yeomanry regiments that had been mechanised, together with the royal tank regiment. Each soldiers record of service was stored by the war office after the first world war was over. Search thousands of identified photos, obituaries and service records of first world war officers, soldiers, sailors, nurses, airmen and civilian workers. It also quickly became evident that the initial structure and manpower of the british army were woefully unprepared and illequipped for a war with multiple. Cavalry, tank and infantry regiments of the british army are listed in their own orders of precedence, which dates back to when regiments had numbers rather than names. During this raid, a large portion approximately 60 percent of the 6. The 1st infantry division was a regular british army division with a long history having been present at the peninsula war, the crimean war, world war i, and during the second world war. It also indicates the cavalry amalgamations that would take place forty years later as part of the government cuts of the early 1920s.

Added on 15042010 the royal army service corps rasc was a corps of the british army. With mass conscription, the expansion of the army was reflected in the formation of. Military records reveal the extraordinary deeds of your bravest ancestors. The fusiliers were formed in 1674 and named fuzileers after their fusil, the modern musket of the day. Raf officers and ordinary servicemen and women moved around a lot, frequently serving, throughout their career in. The original punch cards enlistees completed when they joined the army were destroyed after being microfilmed in 1947. During the war, the british army raised 43 infantry divisions. Common british army acronyms and abbreviations of the. Approximately half the records were destroyed during the second world war. Military ranks fibiwiki families in british india society. The british official history of events, records the total british casualties were 260 and. Sadly, about 60% of the records were destroyed during bombing in. Therefore, the military authorities created different types of documents most of which are held at the national archives in england in various war office and admiralty series. The british army service records include the names of both officers and other ranks.

Commissioned officers include the ranks of general, brigadier, colonel, major, captain, and lieutenant. In addition rasc units are provided for the carriage of infantry, tanks and heavy bridging equipment. Regiments of foot, infantry of the line are line infantry regiments part of the army. In addition to vital records, newspaper archives, and other great information sources, military service records can help you create a realistic picture of your ancestor to go along. Understanding british war records can help you find out more information about these family members. Officers and other ranks who served overseas 19141918. The royal corps of signals often simply known as the royal signals abbreviated to r signals is one of the combat support arms of the british army. For example, by the end of january, 1945, the 47 th infantry regiment which fought in france and germany had lost well over 100% of their strength to battle casualties, where men were either killed, wounded, missing, or taken as prisoner of war. When this happened, then pre1914 record of service including boer war is more likely to be among first world war service records.

The royal armouries library, the library, royal armouries, armouries drive, leeds. British army service records explained the genealogy guide. These records can help you find enlistment dates, learn about famous battles, locate gravesites of war veterans and spouses, and discover the unique stories of military service. The history of the british army spans over three and a half centuries since its founding in 1660. Perfect for genealogists, researchers, historians and more. Mar 11, 2020 army history links provided by the archives library information center alic correspondence classification system for the civil works records used in the office of the chief of engineers, november, 1941 17. It was responsible for land, coastal and lake transport. I was a lorry driver in civvy street before i joined, which enabled me to become a military driver more quickly than most of my colleagues as there was no licence acquisition involved. Bounty land youll find basic genealogical information in. Where to find british army service records lovetoknow. The infantry is the largest branch of the army around a quarter of its strength. Lmil1514 officers of british army regiments in india, 18061865 lmil15512 officers formerly on the indian establishment now belonging to the british army, 18631868.

Forms needed to apply for a second world war service record when you have completed the forms, you will need to send them off with a cheque for. World war ii army enlistment records collection of more than 8 million names of u. Get military service records for the army, royal navy, royal marines or raf from 1920 who can apply, how long it takes, cost, how to apply get a copy of military service records gov. This is a guide to the records of british army soldiers who served in the first world war. These records can help you find enlistment dates, learn about famous battles, locate gravesites of war veterans and spouses, and discover the unique stories of military service that help you discover the heroes in your family history. Military abbreviations used in service files library and archives. Nov 16, 2015 the royal regiment of scotland is scotlands infantry regiment forming a core part of the british army s combat capability. Signals units are among the first into action, providing the battlefield communications and information systems essential to all operations. The british regular mounted infantry 1880 19 cavalry of. The british army during the second world war was, in 1939, a volunteer army, that introduced limited conscription in early 1939, and full conscription shortly after the declaration of war with germany.

This comprehensive collection has the records of over 8. Some first world war veterans continued to serve with the army after the war and for the records of these soldiers you may need to read the advice in our guide to british army soldiers in service after 1918. In 1877, it was replaced in turn by the rank of second lieutenant, although this rank had always been used by the royal artillery, royal engineers, and rifle and fusilier regiments. British army pensioners kilmainham, ireland 17831822 british army service records 17601915 inc chelsea pensioners british army, honourable artillery company.

Perhaps you had a grandfather in one of the world wars. During the early years of the war, the army suffered defeat in almost every theatre in which it was deployed. Use this guide if you are researching the british army, the royal navy andor the royal. In 1940 there was a world war two bombing raid on the war office in london where the records were held. The order comes from the start of the regiments service under the crown, up to 1881 and the cardwell reforms, when the use of numbers was abolished in favour of linking. This is a guide to finding records of soldiers who served with the british army after the end of the first world war, including service in the second world war and up to the 1980s. At the start of 1939 the british army was a small volunteer professional army. All soldiers would know the basics of being infantry, whether they were on a tank or baking bread with the army catering corps.

War deaths includes boer war army world war 1 armynavy some royal air force for those men in the royal flying corp they were registered by the army world war 2 armynavyroyal air force 18811965. Wwi records fold3 search historical military records. Bounty land was granted as a reward to men for their wartime service between 1775 and march 3, 1855. Their website has a comprehensive section on military records. However, many of the records in the first world war collections cover service up to 1920. You can also go to the familysearch catalog and search great britain military records. British army ww1 service records, 19141920 soldiers there were about 67 million soldiers other ranks and noncommissioned officers who served with the british army in the first world war. War department collection of confederate records national. The majority of the infantry in the british army is divided for administrative purposes into five divisions. Findmypasts british army service records is one of the most significant british army collections available online. Army records at the national archives national archives.

You will be an advanced combat driver with a host of licences, and an expert in vehicle maintenance, qualified to fix and replace complex vehicle parts. British military records online genealogy familysearch wiki. This manual will be of use not only to members of the 6th aarr, but also to anyone wishing to portray a british infantryman of ww2, as well as other hobbyists, from wargamers to diorama makers to armchair generals. If an individual was commissioned from the ranks, moved from. Get military service records for the army, royal navy, royal marines or raf from 1920 who can apply, how long it takes, cost, how to apply. The collection includes a myriad of army forms including attestation papers, medical forms, discharge documents, pension claims, and proceedings of regimental boards. Regiments and corps of the british army geni family tree. Remember that many scottish regiments have their own museums and these will often have collections of information about past units and the men who served in.

However, though we do hold some records that may help to paint a picture of a soldiers time in the army during this period, we do not hold the service records of. The 11b infantryman are riflemen who assist in the performance of reconnaissance. The article history of british army infantry regiments is a general history of the. The modern regiment was formed in 1968 from four english fusilier regiments, seeing service in northern ireland, cyprus, bosnia, kosovo, iraq and afghanistan. British army operations in the second world war the national. This database contains the surviving service records of noncommissioned officers and other ranks who served in wwi and did not reenlist in the army prior to world war ii. As a reserve driver, you may be able to train with specialist army vehicles further down the line. Learning the service history of your british world war ii soldier or volunteer can be a rewarding experience. It continued in service until the 1881 british army reforms, when it became part of the prince of waless volunteers south lancashire regiment. The infantry of the british army, part of the structure of the british army, comprises 49 infantry battalions, from 19 regiments. Ww1 officer casualties biographies of british army officers, many of these including photos, up until june 1915. The infantry is the main land combat force and backbone of the army. Kings college london, liddell hart centre for military archives.

Pension applications and payment records files include marriage certificates, birth records, death certificates, family letters, and other supporting papers. The infantrymans role is to be ready to defend our country in peacetime and to capture, destroy and repel enemy ground forces during combat. British army service records can tell you a lot about your military ancestors. The british army briefly used the rank of sublieutenant from 1871 to 1877, replacing the ranks of ensign in the infantry and cornet in the cavalry. Service records should give you details of your relatives postings, promotions, disciplinary record and medical condition throughout their career. In this dataset you can search around 500,000 militia service records for the period of 18061915, organized as wo96 in the national records. World war ii or the second world war was a global conflict from 1939 to 1945 involving most of the worlds nations. With the final release, this database now contains the entire service records collection. Please note that many soldiers and officers who served in the british army during the second boer war also served in the british army during the first world war 19141918. The service records for more than 7,000 women who served in the womens army auxiliary corps between 1917 and 1920 are held at the national archives in kew, surrey. The british army world war one service records are war office wo records also known as the wo363 records and the burnt documents. British army during the second world war wikipedia. This thread will aim to resolve that, with a post for each letter of the.

They recorded an individuals rank and regiment, service number, birth place, occupation, attestation date and service history. Between 20 and 25% of those uk military records did survive. Where to find army service records imperial war museums. Fold3 provides convenient access to us military records, including the stories, photos, and personal documents of the men and women who served. The british army s infantry forms a highly flexible organisation, taking on a variety of roles, including armoured, mechanised, air assault and light. British army soldiers up to 19 the national archives. Army history links provided by the archives library information center alic correspondence classification system for the civil works records used in the office of the chief of engineers, november, 1941 17. Armed forces records held by other archives the national archives. Nov 12, 2011 a brief video of some of the basic points during training in the bitish army infantry. The british 1st division was originally formed in 1809 by arthur wellesley, 1st duke of wellington for service in the peninsula war, drawing from two british. Some records are free to view but others are available on either a subscription or pay per view basis. Records relating to members of the british army or their families where the event has taken place outside of the united kingdom. They can tell you where they were dispatched to, what battles they fought in, awards they received and so much valuable information.

Youre part of the armys front line team, taking part in all kinds of operations from peace keeping and disaster relief to full scale war. As noted above, many of the records for world war i enlisted men were lost in a bombing raid in september of 1940. So much of the information about ww2 is peppered with abbreviations and acronyms, and although there are many sites listing these, it doesnt seem like any have anything approaching a complete list. The individuals rank, regiment and dates of service determine which set of records you need. British army ww1 service records, 19141920 soldiers. After 1707 the army was controlled from london and most british army records are held at the national archives, london tna. Of these, 33 battalions are part of the regular army and the remaining 16 a part of the army reserve. Common british army acronyms and abbreviations of the first world war military records, whether of a soldier of a unit, are often packed with mysterious abbreviations. This page should help you understand what it all means. Apr 16, 2020 cromwells new model army was established in 1645 was the foundation of the british army as we know it today, including its regimental system. Most records for other ranks give place of birth, place of residence and place of enlistment details.

Military records include draft or service records, pension records, prisoner rolls and histories. First world war army service records pdf file 22kb. More than 4 million index cards, created in various formats by the army records office in the 1920s to record medal entitlement, provide the most complete listing of those who served with the british army during the first world war. Correspondence classification system for the civil works records used in the office of the chief of engineers, november, 1941 17. Ia indian army ib infantry brigade icc imperial camel corps.

Whether you use a government site or a paid service, finding british army service records can help illuminate some of the mystery areas about your ancestors past. Many infanteers will also spend time serving away from regimental duty, including as instructors at the school of infantry and in the wider army. From 1759 to 1871, the defense of canada was primarily the responsibility of british military and naval forces. At the beginning of the second world war, 3 september 1939, the british army was small in comparison to its enemies, as it had been in the first world war. Digitised first world war records first world war portal. Another 15% or so were reconstructed from pension records. This is a list of british army cavalry and infantry regiments that were created by childers reforms in 1881, a continuation of the cardwell reforms. And you will get to drive everything from a weaponsmounted jackal to a warrior armoured vehicle. Approximately 5 million men served in the british army in world war one. Until 1871, commissions up to the rank of colonel were purchased. List of royal armoured corps regiments in world war ii.

Royal regiment of scotland army regiments army jobs youtube. C 1911, there were indian soldiers serving in the royal artillery as drivers. Search over 10 million military records for world war ii 19391945 has one of the largest online collections for the second world war. Interpreting service records who do you think you are. The role of infantry driver is two jobs rolled into one. An incredible resource of millions of british and irish prisoners of war, covering members of the military, diplomats, civilians, missionaries and merchant seaman. The men and women called to serve their country in military duty are a source of pride to their families and to their nation. Army service records for world war one are available at the national archives, and many are online at uk. British army service records 17601915 genes reunited.

Young american patriots military yearbooks photos and short biographiess of approximately 60,000 soldiers from young american patriots, a commemorative yearbook series published shortly following world war ii. Sep, 2018 essential record of ww1 british army deaths. This comprehensive military history collection includes more than 8. The mechanical transport of medical and certain other units is. Abbreviations and acronyms of ww2 and service records. The new english army was comprised of 22,000 soldiers, divided into 12 foot regiments of 600 men each, one dragoon or mounted regiment of men, and an artillery corps with 900 guns. British army during the second world war military wiki. Embarkation records show officers named, the number of other ranks per unit. On september 3, 1939, britain declared war on germany. The small amount of original material covering british army units stationed in india is divided into the following subseries. The casualties suffered by a typical american infantry regiment serving in world war ii were horrendous.

Other ranks who were killed in action, died or left the british army before 1920 including the british west indies regiment, the west india regiment and european noncommissioned officers of the west african field force, but not those of commonwealth armies such as canada. These transcriptions include enlistments from 1938 to 1946. This military service records collection contains nearly 159,000 images of documents for 26,680 men during the period 18991902, cataloged as wo128 in the national archives. Now, with databases containing more than 16 million names and thousands of government records available to search, researching your. This guide will help you find records at the national archives relating to military operations in the second. If you have recent british roots, you may have a british world war ii soldier or two in your family tree. Household cavalry soldiers service records 17991920.