British Army Records

[paulmh]

My dad and I are planning to serach for my gt grandfather's army records, we have his army serial number, date he joined and date he left and which regiment he was in.

I would like to know what we need to obtain information (what we already know etc) and when we do find the records what will it tell us about him?

[Tony Lund.]

For First World War men (if you are lucky) try the National Archives, unfortunately many records were destroyed by German bombing in 1940.         

   recordcopyingenquiries@nationalarchives.gov.uk.

For after 1920 try

Army Personnel Centre
Historical Disclosures
Mail Point 400
Kentigern House
65 Brown St
Glasgow
G2 8EX

I am told you need to be a relative and have all the man’s details, number, etc.

Tony.

[paulmh]

He was pre-World War One, he aigned up in 1883 and left in 1906. Where do I contact for them?

[Tony Lund.]

I am advised that the Army Service Records for a man who served  from 1883 to 1906 will most likely be in the series of records labelled WO97 at the National Archives.

Tony.

[longtallsally]

Hi!

I am in Canada, and can't get to Kew!  Can you request someones army records such as my grandfathers from  1889 bymail and if so, any idea who i could write too.

 He joined at age 12 and was discharged when he was 19 - we would love to get some information of his army service but all I know is you have to go to Kew.

[manmack]

hiya paul,as far as i know,those records werent touched in the blitz,you should be able to get quite a bit of info from them,a word of advice though,there are many reasons why a man joins the army,one of the most common ones are,his dad was a soldier,might be worth checking his fathers name if you know it,it pays the petrol money,mack

[paulmh]

Ive checked this out and as far as I know his father was never in the army, to be honest I think he may have been the only Townrow to have signed up, well thats what ive found so far.