How to Trace Your Relative
We have created this page of advice and tips because we do not have the resources to enter into correspondence regarding individual searches (for current or previously serving) members of Her Majesties Armed Forces. We are one small branch of an association, and all our effort, time and resources must go into looking after our membership - the veterans of past conflicts.
Whilst we cannot offer you help to find your relative or friend, we understand the importance of such research, so we have created this page of tips and advice to help you get started.
Looking for someone who you believe is alive?
Free service to help track down old comrades exforcesreunited.co.uk
Online telephone directories often provide addresses too. In order to perform a basic search, all you need is the person's name and the name of the UK town you think they live in. Examples of such directories are http://www.192.com/ and http://www.118118.com/
Looking for someone who is deceased
The Public Record Office at Kew has the service records of men who were in the regiment prior to WW1 and some records of men who served during WW1 (although many records were destroyed by a fire during a bombing raid in WW2).
Your local Archive Office may also be able to provide excellent advice. Archives are generally organised on a County basis these days, and are often located in the County Town. You should find them listed as part of the County Council Museum Service.
Ancestry.com and UK Ancestor are useful websites.
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission are also very helpful - and you can search their website for grave locations by typing in a few basic details.
The Ministry of Defence Publication Scheme is something else you should be aware of. The Freedom of Information Act allows organsiations to charge for information they are asked to supply, however, this does not mean that MOD will always impose a fee.
We are sorry that we cannot provide help with individual enquiries on this subject, but we do wish you every success in your search.
