Find Old Friends Or Relatives Who Served In The forces ****************************************************** Search For Ancestors From Military Records Commonwealth Graves Commission The Commonwealth Graves Commission website at www.cwgc.org.uk holds the service records of soldiers and QAs killed in action. Their address is: The Commonwealth War Graves Commission 2 Marlow Road Maidenhead Berkshire SL6 7DX ************************* National Archives The National Archives in Kew (used to be called Public Record Office) holds the service records of soldiers and QAIMNS personnel who survived their World War One service and those who served in the forces before 1921. Some records may not be complete due to London bombing raids of the Second World War. The National Archives website is www.nationalarchives.gov.uk and the address is: The National Archives Ruskin Avenue Kew Richmond Surrey TW9 4DU ************************* Army Personnel Centre Soldiers, QAIMNS and QARANC personnel who served after the year 1921 records are stored at the Army Personnel Centre. Their contact details are at: Army Personnel Centre Historic Disclosures Mailpoint 400 Kentigern House 65 Brown Street Glasgow G2 8EX. The Army Personnel Centre will then send you their search questionnaire and certificate of kinship. Please note that it should be the eldest surviving relative who applies for the information and he or she will have to sign a certificate of kinship. Information needed to make searching for the military records of a deceased relative include, surname, Christian name, rank held on discharge, service number, regiment or corps, date of birth and year of discharge from the Army, Navy or RAF with reason for leaving, IE demobilisation, completion of regular engagement, medical discharge or end of National Service. Any details known of disability pension, wounds, injury or illnesses from army service should be included in the request for service details of an ex-serviceman/woman search document. There is a small charge for the information and in 2008 this was £30. Qaranc.co.uk do not think there is a charge for widows and widowers. Payment details are included in the pack. Please do not send any money until requested by the Historical Disclosures Section. They will also need proof of death of the serviceman or woman such as a copy of their death certificate, obituary notice or funeral certificate. These should be copies since documentation may not be returned. This is needed to comply with the Data Protection Act 1998. It can take up to four months for information to be sent back to the applicant. Welfare enquires are given priority over family interest enquires. Records may not include specific theatres of operation or action seen but could include medals and awards though not citations. Few records contain photographs. The Army Personnel Centre advise relatives who have completed their search to also approach the respective Regimental or Corps museums which may store war diaries. Details of army museums can be found at www.armymuseums.org.uk Many army museums have teams of researchers who can help with information and photos of specific time periods and locations. Trace QARANC Members Through The QA Association Members of the QA Association can be serving QA's and those who have retired or left the army. Any member of the QA Association can ask for help in tracing and contacting a former member. Use the address or telephone number on the QA Association page. http://www.qaranc.co.uk/qaassociation.php *********************** Military Medical Records Those seeking information about their Military medical records should contact : Central Health Records Library Room 24 Sentinel House MOD Shoeburyness Southend-on-Sea SS3 9SR Tel: (01702) 299302 *********************** Applying For Medals When applying for medals of your own, a deceased relative or replacement medals further information can be obtained from: MOD Medal Office Building 250 RAF Innsworth Gloucester GL3 1HW Telephone Number 0141 224 3600 Website: www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceFor/Veterans/Medals/ *********************** Websites That Trace Or Contact Soldiers There are several websites where soldiers and ex-soldiers can register for free in order to contact or be contacted by former comrades. After registering you can post a biography or profile for others to read such as where you now live, hobbies, interests, other postings, promotions, medals, family news, etc. If someone reads about you and remembers you then they can get in touch. Some of these sites may charge a small fee if you want to send messages to other members. Other services from such websites include arranging reunions, sharing memories, remembrance, being able to upload photos, chat rooms and message boards. Forces Reunited www.armedforcesfriends.co.uk http://www.forcesreunited.org.uk/ ************************ Trace Information About Dead War Nurses Scarlet Finders is run by an ex QA who specialises in tracing information about military and civilian nurses who nursed during the late nineteenth or early twentieth century. This information includes details of their military and nursing service and how he or she lived and worked. Historical information can be obtained for nurses who served in the First and Second World Wars and even as far back as the Boer War. There is a small charge for the research report, but this is worth paying to get expert research help from a team that will be able to accurately source material that could be time consuming for someone who does not know their way around researching records or getting permission to access records and files. In addition you get the benefit of help from someone who has served in the army and worked as a nurse. www.scarletfinders.co.uk ************************** Military Genealogy Forces Reunited Military Genealogy Forces Reunited is the only site where you can find military records of over 2 million British Armed Forces personnel exclusively cross matched with over 4000 Regiments, Bases and Ships of the British Armed Forces going back to before 1630, making your genealogy task much easier and more complete. http://www.forcesreunited.org.uk/forum/displaycategory.asp?C=11 For the official Army QARANC webpage please go to www.army.mod.uk/home.aspx For the QARANC Association website please go to www.army.mod.uk/army-medical-services/qaranc/9884.aspx ************************