The following links may be helpful to others with an interest in the First World War. Please do recommend
sites and report broken links by contacting me. Please also link to this site by bookmarking
http://www.chailey1914-1918.net
The National Archives (NA)
An essential resource for anyone researching WW1. The NA website can be a confusing place and so I list below some
of the key links within it - but there are plenty more.
2. Search and download
British soldiers' campaign medal index cards.
Ancestry has also made these cards available on-line and the quality is far better than those available through the National
Archives. Also, whereas, the National Archives only records the information on the front of the cards, Ancestry has
also photgraphed the back. In most cases, the back is blank, but it does occasionally contain useful additional information
such as the address of the soldier or details of correspondence.
5. Search officers' service records in
the Catalogue (formerly PROCAT). Records are housed in series WO 374 and WO 339. Type in your ancestor's name in the mandatory
Word
or phrase box and the WO reference in the
Department or series code box. It is worth checking both references.
You will need to visit the NA or hire a researcher in order to access the original documents.6. Approximately 40 per cent of WW1 servicemen's records are stored on microfilm in the series WO 363 (burnt documents)
and WO 364.
The Catalogue isn't much help here as it only lists the first and last names on the microfilm reels. As above though, type in the
appropriate references to see where your ancestor's service record
may be located.
Note, pension records from the WO 364 series are now available on line through ancestry.co.uk (see
below). Service records from the WO 363 series (the burnt documents) are promised by the end of 2008. Surnames beginning
A-C have already been released.
7. Some WW1 pension records can also be found in the PIN series at the NA. Follow the steps in 5. above
for PIN 26 (men wounded and receiving a pension), PIN 71 (men invalided
to pension) and PIN 82 (men who died as a result of war service and whose widows subsequently claimed
a pension). All these searches will give you reference numbers only.You will need to visit the NA or hire a
researcher in order to access the original documents.
8. If your ancestor was a
British POW you might find him here.
Other Archive Resources
If your ancestor was an officer or was decorated for gallantry you will probably find him here. Searchable
but often quirky database; nevertheless the rewards - often including citations for bravery - can be great.
This site contains a searchable database of the Scottish Roll of Honour and records details of men killed in action.
Some soldiers' wills are also held (see
Robert Mearns Hobbs on this site for instance) and this information is recorded on individual records. Copies of the wills can then be
ordered.
An essential resource for researching Australian servicemen. All service records have now been digitised and
were all due to be on-line by the end of 2006.
Part of the Australian War Memorial and a useful, searchable database. A report of
Frederick Heasman's death appears here - type in his name to view it.
A searchable database of the 600,000 Canadianswho enlisted in the CEF. Many of the attestation papers have been
scanned and can be downloaded
Contains diaries of Canadian units and some British ones. To use the search form, click
HERE.
In the words of the CWGC, "The "Debt of Honour Register" is the Commission's database listing the 1.7 million men and
women of the Commonwealth forces who died during the two world wars and the 23,000 cemeteries, memorials and other locations
worldwide where they are commemorated. The register can also be searched for details of the 67,000 Commonwealth civilians
who died as a result of enemy action in the Second World War."
An incomplete and often inaccurate record of men and women from Manchester who served during WW1. Nevertheless,
some useful information can be gleaned from the volumes in the National Roll series.
A database of 50,000 names compiled from the Leeds Absent Voters List of the Leeds Electoral Roll 1914/1918.
The archives record the history and activities of the British Red Cross Society from its foundation in 1870 as the British
National Society for Aid to the Sick and Wounded in War.
General WW1 Interest
The resource on the web for information about Britain's role during the First World War. There is
also a very knowledgeable discussion forum.
Ian Bowbrick's informed and well run forum is an essential bookmark for anyone with a WW1 interest.
A regularly updated, Canadian-centric list of Great War resources on the web.
Paul Reed's web site dedicated to the history and battlefields of the Great War 1914-1918.
Recommended WW1 interest association which, in my opinion, is well worth the annual subscription fee for its journal
Stand To! and Bulletin alone.
On-line memorial to Service Personnel from 1914 to the present day. The photo archive
of over 300,000 images is the largest of it's kind in the world.
Launched in 2002, the Centre aims to provide an intellectual and social focus for the University of Birmingham’s
community of staff and graduate students and for lay persons interested in the First World War.
An international archive presenting primary documents concerning the Great War.
Well presented, clear and concise information plus a research service. An essential site if your relative nursed
during the late 19th or early 20th century.
Commemoration and remembrance site as well as a comprehensive guide to
the military cemeteries and memorials of Belgium, France, Great Britain and elsewhere. The site contains photos from
all 940 cemeteries featured in the 1929 book, The Silent Cities.
Excellent resource for anybody with an interest in Scottish war memorials and the men remembered on these.
An edited review of hand-picked First World War related news items & articles.
Village / Town / City / County Commemorations
Superb and vast UK centric site dedicated to those who fell fighting for their
country. Includes an ever growing database of county war memorials and details of the men and women commemorated
on these.
Meiculously researched site commemorating the men of Lancing, Steyning and Bramber in West Sussex.
This site aims to record and honour the memory of Derbyshire
men who participated in the Great War.
Commemorating the men of both world wars from these communities in the Borough of Stockport, Lancashire.
Dedicated to the memory of the men and women of Stevenage, Aston, Benington and Walkern (in Hertfordshire) who gave
their lives in two world wars.
Commemorating more than 2800 individuals from the Stockport area who lost their lives during the First World War.
Commemorating the men from the parish of Newbattle, Midlothian, who served their King and Country during the Great War.
James Sweeney, a patient at
Hickwells in Chailey, is one of many men commemorated here.
Maesteg is located to the north of the Welsh county of Bridgend. This website commemorates those who lost their
lives in the service of their country.
Extensive, thoroughly researched testimonial to the men and women of the City of York and Ainsty who served during
the Great War.
Huge website which covers far more than Kent's fallen. Nominal rolls, rolls of honour and background information
on Kent units are all here.
Army Unit and Battle Commemorations
The Bedfordshire Regiment during The Great War; its soldiers and the conditions they endured on The Western Front, Gallipoli,
Egypt and Palestine.
2.
Pro Patria MoriThe 56th (London) Division at Gommecourt 1st July 1916.
Home of the Royal Gloucestershire, Berkshire and Wiltshire Regiment (Salisbury) Museum. Includes transcripts
of the 24 WW1 battalion war diaries for the Berkshire and Wiltshire Regiments.
Site dedicated to the memory of the 11th (Service) Battalion (Accrington) East Lancashire Regiment, better known as the
Accrington Pals.
4.
Gallipoli. For information on where to stay, what to see, what happened during WW1, and areas of commemoration, this site
is essential.
Sussex Genealogy
This web site is for the benefit of SFHG members and all those interested in family history and genealogical research
in Sussex
An Online Parish Clerk (OPC) researches all the available historical data they can find on a parish, and transcribes
records. They may also offer a look up service in response to an email or postal request.
Founded in 1901 for the publication of records and documents relating to the county of Sussex.
The history genealogy and topography of the Weald of Kent, Surrey and Sussex.
General Genealogy
Subscription based resource of worldwide census, marriage, newspaper and various other records including WW1 service
records from the WO 364 pension series. The WO 363 (Burnt Documents) series is projected to be on-line by the end of 2008.
Well worth the investment.
A large categorised and cross-referenced directory of sites useful for genealogical research.
Free UK Genealogy website with the ability to search and add your own genealogy interests.
Excellent resource which has made available digital copies of rare old books, maps, photographs and documents
relating to the West Midlands. A number of these publications focus on WW1. Inexpensive, friendly and efficient
service.
