Discover your connection to the Second World War

Elected Chancellor of Germany in 1933, Hitler led a regime based on racial superiority and nationalism. After he broke rules laid out in the Treaty of Versailles, and following his invasion of Poland in 1939, France and Britain declared war. Concentration camps were established in 1942.

The D-Day landings in 1944 provided a turning point for the Allies. Eventually, in 1945, Hitler committed suicide and the Nazi regime was dismantled.

It is estimated that 70-85 million people died, including 20-28 million deaths from famine, poverty, and war-related disease. Approximately 5 million prisoners of war died in captivity, and a total of 6 million died from direct Nazi persecution.

The effects of the war were felt for years to come, and the generational trauma is still felt to this day. We can honour the tragedies of the Second World War and the sacrifice of our military ancestors by telling these stories.

You've made the first step towards unearthing your wartime ancestors with the 1939 Register, and now it's time to continue the journey. From World War 2 British Army collections to detailed records of service throughout the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy, there's so much to uncover.

You may be able to find your ancestor amongst the thousands of individuals featured in the Army Roll of Honour (1939-1945), or even in the pages of our World War 2 Prisoners of War collection. Whichever route you take, behind every one of these names is a story of torment and triumph, a family legend to be passed down through the ages, and a connection waiting to be discovered.