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Find family heroes and their remarkable stories

Thousands of Australasians fought with the British military in the First and Second World War. Don’t let their sacrifices be forgotten. Unearth tales of bravery and loss in simple-to-search, original British military records. Together, we’ll keep their legacies alive.

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Enter a few details to see your family’s past at your fingertips.

How to trace ancestors in the British military

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Preserve their memories forever on your family tree

Clever family tree hints will find British military records for you.

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Explore millions of British military service records

This handy guide will help you get started.

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Learn what life was like in Britain at wartime

Historical newspapers provide unmatched colour and context.

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Where will your military past take you?

Millions of families have British military connections. We'll help you find, share and preserve yours with advice from those who know the records best.

It's your past. Find it.

I hunted for details of my grandfather's First World War service records for years, with no success. Imagine my joy when I found them among Findmypast's military collection. I screamed to my husband that I'd finally found him!

Carla

Review collected independently by Trustpilot

Highlights from our extensive British military archive

British Army Service Recordskeyboard_arrow_down

From initial medical reports to discharge documents, this historic archive can be used to paint a detailed picture of your ancestor’s military service. Search British Army Service Records.

Medal Rolls and Honourskeyboard_arrow_down

Detailed accounts of heroism and bravery that give insight into your ancestor’s time in the forces. Many records even contain photographs. Search Medal Rolls and Honours.

British Red Cross Register of Overseas Volunteers 1914-1918keyboard_arrow_down

Even before women could enlist for the armed forces, men weren’t the only wartime heroes. Discover your female ancestors’ contributions. Search British Red Cross Register of Overseas Volunteers 1914-1918.

Historical British Newspaperskeyboard_arrow_down

Read about your ancestor’s service and even get the chance to see them in uniform. Search Historical British Newspapers.

WW1 Ships Lost at Sea, 1914-1919keyboard_arrow_down

Over 500 British Royal Navy ships were lost at sea during the First World War. These records cover every single one of them. Search WW1 Ships Lost at Sea, 1914-1919.

Royal Navy Officers 1899-1919keyboard_arrow_down

Detailed personal information such as father's and wife's name is listed in this set, along with marriage date – a great help when building your family tree. Search Royal Navy Officers 1899-1919.

Enemy Aliens and Internees, First and Second World Warskeyboard_arrow_down

Thousands of foreign nationals were interned in camps and these records comprise the enemy alien index cards from the Home Office, nominal rolls, correspondence, and more. Search Enemy Aliens and Internees, First and Second World Wars.

British Army Casualty Lists 1939-1945keyboard_arrow_down

The majority of Second World War records are still held by the Ministry of Defence. We do, however, have some vital collections including this poignant set. Search British Army Casualty Lists 1939-1945.

Napoleonic War Records 1775 - 1817keyboard_arrow_down

Go beyond 20th-century warfare with some of the best-preserved military service records available online, detailing the men who signed up from England and Wales. Search Napoleonic War Records 1775-1817.

British Army Lists 1839-1946keyboard_arrow_down

A census-like document that tells you the rank and regiment of your ancestor, along with where they were stationed at the time. Search British Army Lists 1839-1946.

Commonwealth War Graves Commission Debt of Honourkeyboard_arrow_down

This important collection lists the 1.7 million men and women of the Commonwealth forces who died in the two World Wars. Search Commonwealth War Graves Commission Debt of Honour.

World War 2 Allies Collectionkeyboard_arrow_down

Handpicked by our in-house military experts, explore a vast one-stop-shop for Allied Forces' records from World War 2. Search World War 2 Allies Collection.