What is a search for Armed Forces records?
Do you want to find out about a relative’s military history? Many records are available to tell this story. You will likely have already applied for and received your relative’s ‘service record’ but it will just be a list of places they were stationed or ships they sailed on.
Why would I need one?
Military records can tell us a lot about the career of a service man or woman. They can tell us where they went in the world, what they did in campaigns and even reveal the reason for being awarded a medal. However, a service record needs fleshing out by undertaking research to find out exactly what the significance of, for example, HMS Vernon is. Or perhaps there’s a family story about the relative being aircrew in WW2. The list of RAF stations and squadrons can help in confirming or denying the story.
What’s involved?
There are online databases that hold some copies of military records and there are more records at the National Archives such as Operations Record Books, which are a kind of diary. In addition there are numerous web discussion forums and groups that are interested in military history where answers can be found. If you’ve got medals in the family then information can be found on what they were awarded for.
What do I get?
From any Armed Forces records I find and from information garnered from other sources I will create a report. If I discover original documents then you will receive a copy of these as well and if I am researching medals then I will provide you with an illustration showing what they are for.
What will it cost?
It is impossible to give an exact figure without knowing what’s involved and costs are based on the time taken to research the information and compile the results. Click here for an example that shows an Armed Forces commission and gives its cost.