Searching Records on Web

Searching for Service Records on the WW2 Nominal Roll

On this Nominal Roll site you can search by Name, Service Number, Honours, or Place (of birth, locality of residence, enlistment) to see a summary of a person's service record. Once found it is possible to print out a copy.

If the name if known, but not the service number, then click on the Name tab, select Army and then enter as much detail as possible. The more detail, the smaller the number of results.
If the Service Number is known then this will give the details immediately. From this summary a certificate can be printed, and a link to the National Archives site is provided.

Searching for Service Records on the National Archives Website

On this site you can access detailed service records by viewing online (if available) or purchasing a hard copy of the records.

As an example, imagine we are looking for a member of the 2/24th Battalion whose name is Smith.
If you do not know the Service Number then look it up on the Báttalion Roll on this site. Note: Use the browser BACK key to return to the Search Archives page, or click on 'Search Archives' in the menu.

With Surname and Service Number you can search for the service record on the website of the National Archives.
There are two approaches, depending on how much detail you have. With Surname and Service Number the quicker method is to use 'Search Now'.
With only a Surname the better option is to use 'Name Search' - however, it will give details of all people with the name Smith, including middle names, hypenated names and next-of-kin.
The results can be quite extensive (there are 11678 Smiths recorded).and require patience to scroll through.
The best option is to provide additional information to modify the search.

Note that World War II records have not been digitised completely, so full details of a service record are not available online. In order to have all service details it is necessary to purchase the records.

Using the Search Now Option

Click 'Search Now' and enter Surname in the box for Keywords - other names often confuse the search program
In the Dates box enter the war years 1939-1945 - this will help restrict the options
Enter Serial Number in the box for Reference Numbers - this, with the surname, will usually give immediate results
A list of Search Results will appear.
The top box labelled Items will generally have only one result to display
Click on Display button and the basic details on the veteran will appear on screen
Unless there is a symbol indicating a digital image the record will need to be purchased - see below

Using the Name Search Option

Click anywhere in the Name Search box to bring up the search page.
Enter Surname and select World War II from the drop-down list in Category of Records
The search finds all veterans (surname and middle name) and next-of-kin with the same name (e.g. Smith).
Click on 'Refine the search' and input first names and/or service number. This should create an accurate match.
Click on the service number to view more detail. A symbol on the side will indicate if a digital record exists.
Otherwise click on 'Request copy' button to purchase the record.

Purchasing Service Records

At the bottom of the screen is a button to Request copy. You can order full records by entering the Shopping Zone

The next two screens explain the options and costs: Digitised Record (that is, placed on the web from where you can print the record - a good idea if many people want copies) or Photocopy.
On the next screen nominate whether the veteran is deceased, living or unknown
The next screen is the start of the ordering process. The left hand column is a summary of details, and the second column allows a choice of Digital Image or Photocopy. Note: if you change the selection you must click the 'Update Basket' button, then 'Continue'
Click 'Create new account' which then takes you through to ordering and payment (credit card or cheque).