Historical Enquiries and Research Service

1. Research request

We can undertake research on your behalf, we charge a fee of £25 for this service, if you would like us to carry out research for you please submit your request using the proforma at the bottom of this page. However, it is important you appreciate the limits of what we can provide.

2. Research information

a. The information that we hold in our archives is primarily historical records of the antecedent Regiments rather than individuals.

We do not hold Army Records of Service for individual soldiers

b. When making an enquiry about an individual soldier the key information we need to know is when he served and in which of our antecedent regiments.

c. If he was awarded a gallantry medal, was killed in action or died whilst serving we can normally find out from the records we hold here.

d. However, in nearly all other cases we would need to refer you in the first instance to those offices where the service records are kept. Individual service records are held by:

(1) The National Archives

Kew

RICHMOND

Surrey TW9 4DU

www.nationalarchives.gov.uk

For service records prior to 1922, including WW1 and medal rolls. (Please note that many of the WW1 records were destroyed by a bomb and subsequent fire in WW2). Also hold army lists, pension records etc. for more information visit their website.

(2) APC, MS Support, Disclosures 4
MP555
Kentigern House
65 Brown Street
GLASGOW
G2 8EX
Tel 0845 600 9663
Email: disc4@apc.army.mod.uk

For service records if the soldier continued to serve after 1922.

Access to these records may also be requested through the Veterans Section of the Army Website. Here you will find advice about medals and how to access Service Records.

There are also a variety of other sources for information on serving soldiers from the early 20th Century. These are:

www.familysearch.org – Free 1881 census

www.findmypast.com – Subscription site – 1841 – 1901

www.ancestry.co.uk – Subscription site – 1841 – 1901 + Scottish transcriptions

National Army Museum (NAM). The NAM contains an impressive library with excellent runs of the Army List and London Gazette. In addition NAM holds records for the period 1901-1960 relating to soldiers’ estates. These are of particular value as they frequently contain details of next-of-kin.

Ministry of Defence Medal Office. The Ministry of Defence Medal office controls the issue and replacement of medals. Before claiming unclaimed WW2 medals you will require a record of service from the Army Personnel Centre. To replace issued medals you will be required to furnish proof of loss (police report or insurance claim etc.). The full cost of any replacement medals may be payable. It is possible for members of the public and non-serving personnel to download a Medal Application Form from the Army website www.army.mod.uk by clicking on “Medals/Badges”, the 2nd bullet under the Veterans heading. Additional advice may be obtained from the Medal Office on 0800 085 3600 or by email from JPAC@afpaa.mod.uk

Armed Forces Memorial – Roll of Honour. On Friday 12 October 2007, HM The Queen unveiled the Armed Forces Memorial at National Memorial Arboretum, Alrewas, Staffordshire. The memorial contains the names of 16,000 servicemen and women killed on duty or as a result of terrorist action since WW2. The Roll of Honour currently provides information up to 31 December 2006. Access to the Roll of Honour and a facility to print a certificate is available at: www.thenma.org.uk

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) provides information on the location of graves and memorials around the world. The Commission has details of all service personnel who died between 4 August 1914 – 31 August 1921 and 3 September 1939-31 December 1947. The CWGC may charge a fee for postal enquiries, but there is a website containing their computerized database www.cwgc.org

e. Once we have the basic information of when he served and in which regiment we can then tell you what actions he would have been involved in and where he would have served in more detail. In most instances, unless specific mention is made of him in the histories or war diaries, or he was awarded a gallantry medal, we cannot tell you about any specific actions he would have carried out as an individual soldier.

You can Download The Regimental Histories of each regiment freely within or website.

3. Visiting

As an alternative to us conducting the research on your behalf, you are welcome to visit us. However, for the use of staff and time and facilities we would require a donation. All applications for research/information must be made either in writing or by email hhqlightdragoons@gmail.com