Military records & research
Records of Service for former British military personnel can be acquired by authorised enquiries from the addresses given below:
|
Army:
Ministry of Defence Departmental Record Office CS(R)2a Bourne Avenue Hayes, Middlesex UB3 1RF United Kingdom |
Royal Air Force:
Ministry of Defence PMA(CS)2a(2)RAF Royal Air Force Innsworth, Gloucestershire GL3 1EZ United Kingdom |
|
Royal Navy (Prior to 1892):
Public Record Office Ruskin Avenue Kew, Surrey, TW9 4D4 United Kingdom |
Royal Navy (1892-1939):
CSR(N) Bourne Avenue Hayes, Middlesex UB3 1RF United Kingdom |
|
Royal Navy (1940-Present):
NP(ACTS)1c HMS Nelson Gosport, Hants PO12 9XA United Kingdom |
|
Do I qualify for a pension?
To find out if you qualify for a pension, you may contact the addresses given below. Full details of service and copies of all relevant documentation should be provided with all enquiries.
|
War Pensions Agency:
194 Euston Road London NW1 2DG United Kingdom Tel: 0044 845 6020302 |
Royal Navy:
Naval Pay & Pensions Ministry of Defence Centurion Building Grange Road Gosport, Hants PO13 9XA United Kingdom |
|
Army:
Army Pensions Office Kentigern House 65 Brown Street, Glasgow G2 8EX United Kingdom |
Royal Air Force:
Ministry of Defence PMA(CS)2a(2)RAF Royal Air Force Innsworth Gloucestershire GL3 1EZ United Kingdom |
How do I obtain British military medals?
Please note that only British Servicemen and those who have served with the British forces in campaigns are entitled to receive medals. They are not for sale.
Armed Forces Personnel Administration Agency
(Joint Personnel Administration Centre)
MOD Medal Office
Building 250
Royal Air Force Innsworth
Gloucester GL3 1HW
Tel: 0044 (0)1452 712612 ext 8149
How can I obtain historical military information?
Please note that the departments below do not have the resources to answer all the enquiries they receive. Enquiries involving a lot of research unfortunately need to be rejected and most need considerable time to get to the front of the queue. It is therefore advisable to be patient.
|
Army:
Army Historical Branch Ministry of Defence Main Building Whitehall London SW1A 2HB United Kingdom Tel: 0044 207 218 5463 |
Royal Navy:
Naval Historical Branch Ministry of Defence Room 3,05 Great Scotland Yard, Whitehall London SW1A 2HW United Kingdom Tel: 0044 207 218 5451 |
|
Royal Air Force:
Air Historical Branch (RAF) AHB3 Ministry of Defence Main Building Whitehall London SW1A 2HB United Kingdom Tel: 0044 207 218 5452 |
|
Below is a list of useful links to museums and archives:
Army A collection of the regimental museums of the British Army, with details of collections held and forthcoming events.
Royal Airforce Museums and archives of the Royal Air Force, with details of collections held and forthcoming events.
Royal Naval Museum Museums and archives of the Royal Navy, with details of collections held and forthcoming events.
Useful Research Links:
The British Library The British Library is the national library of the United Kingdom.
Commonwealth War Graves Commission The authority responsible for all British and Commonwealth war dead from both World Wars.
Family Records Your official source for family records.
Imperial War Museum Important source of information on 20th century UK and Commonwealth military operations and campaigns.
Land Forces of Britain, the Empire & Commonwealth Regimental histories.
London, Belfast Edinburgh Gazettes Sources of information for citations for gallantry awards and honours.
National ArchivesHistorical records of the UK Government from Domesday to the present.
Irish War Memorials & Graves Details of Irish war memorials and graves
Defence for Veterans Information on researching service records and medal awards.
Defence Image Database Searchable database of defence photographs.
MOD Art Collection The collection consists of over fifteen hundred items of fine art and antiques, including paintings, drawings, engravings, photographs, clocks and furniture.
What do I need to do if I am a long term absentee from the British Armed Forces and now wish to be discharged?
Please note this information is applicable for all services.
You need to write a letter to the address shown below, detailing the following information:
Your Service Number, your date of birth, the date of joining and regiment, location, the date you went absent, plus your current address so that the authorities can respond to your request. You should also state in the letter that you now wish to be discharged from the Military.
Directorate of Manning (Army)
Trenchard Lines
Upavon
Pewsey
Wiltshire SN9 6BE
United Kingdom
