Trace the Wartime Story of Your British Army Ancestor
History Recon is a specialist historical research service uncovering the wartime experiences of British soldiers from the First and Second World Wars.
Using service records, medal rolls, war diaries and regimental sources, professional research can identify the regiment, battalion and campaigns experienced by your ancestor.
What Military Records Can Reveal
Even when surviving records are limited, careful research can often identify:
• Regiment and battalion
• Campaigns and battles
• Medal entitlement
• Prisoner of war records
• Casualty records
• Wartime movements
The goal is not simply locating documents, but reconstructing the story behind a soldier’s service.
About History Recon
History Recon was created by military historian Matthew Holden, who now leads a research team specialising in British Army service during the World Wars.
Drawing on archival sources, regimental histories and wartime records, History Recon helps families reconstruct the wartime experiences of their ancestors.
Jack Russell, whose artwork hangs in regimental museums and military collections, had this to say about our work…
Jack Russell MBE, England wicketkeeper turned acclaimed war artist
"Whether I'm painting a battlefield or cricket ground, I try and capture the story behind the picture. That's exactly what History Recon does with research. They don't just find the crucial facts, they bring people's service to life in a way that's both moving and meaningful."
Begin Your Research
If you already have a name, regiment, medal or service number, professional research can often reconstruct a soldier’s wartime story.
Want to research a soldier yourself? Start with our step-by-step guide to tracing a British soldier