1. What are the armed forces doing today?
The Ministry of Defence web site has a great deal of information about almost every aspect of British Armed Forces activities. Go to our links page.
2. How can I join the British Armed Forces?
The Royal Navy, The British Army and the Royal Airforce all have websites where you can get further details. Go to our links page.
3. Where can I locate Records of Service for former British military personnel?
Requests for the Records of Service of former British military personnel can be made to the following addresses:
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SERVICE RECORDS: ARMY |
SERVICE RECORDS: ROYAL NAVY |
SERVICE RECORDS: |
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All Army ranks enlisted prior to 1920 |
RN officers aged over 60 and World War II RNR/RNVR |
RAF Officers served prior 1922 and Airmen served prior 1924 |
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By August 2002, records for all ranks that enlisted prior to 1920 will be held at the Public Records Office.
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Ministry of Defence |
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All Army ranks that served after 1920 |
RN officers aged under 60 and still serving/retired |
RAF Officers served from 1922 onwards and Airmen from 1924 |
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Army Personnel Centre |
Officers' Mobilisation Section Room 171 |
Personnel Management Agency |
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Army Personnel discharged in the last three years |
Ratings enlisted prior to 1924 and World War I records for WRNS |
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Service records are retained at the Army Personnel Centre for three years after discharge or after Reserve Service liability has finished. Records are then archived at Defence Records 2a Department of the Ministry of Defence. |
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Household Cavalry Personnel |
Ratings enlisted between 1924-39 and WRNS enlisted between 1939-55 |
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The Curator |
Ministry of Defence |
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Footguards Regiments |
Ratings enlisted 1939 onwards and WRNS enlisted 1956 onwards |
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Regimental Headquarters |
Naval Pay and Pensions (Accounts) |
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Royal Marine Officers enlisted before 1926 |
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Royal Marines Officers and other ranks enlisted 1926 onwards |
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Historical Records Royal Marines |
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Royal Fleet Auxiliary |
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Room 11 |
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4. 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.
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War Pensions Agency
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Royal Navy
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Army
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Royal Air Force
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Kinshasa
Alternatively, for advice on service pensions, service records, contacts with military associations, unclaimed medals, war pensions, lost medals, tracing former comrades, historical records and welfare cases contact the Veterans' Advice Unit on 0044 207 218 9621 or e-mail on veteransadvice@veterans.mod.uk
5. 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. Some enquiries involving a lot of research has to be rejected and most need considerable time to get to the front of the queue. It is therefore advisable to be patient.
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Army
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Royal Air Force
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