What services does History Recon offer?

History Recon offers professional British military genealogy research, including WWI and WWII service records, medal rolls, casualty lists, and personalised gift packages.

Can I trace my ancestor’s military service without a regiment or service number?

Yes. Even if you only have a name or location, we can use clues such as medal cards, enlistment patterns, and war diaries to trace your ancestor’s military history.

Are your services suitable as a gift?

Absolutely. Our research packages make meaningful gifts for birthdays, anniversaries, or Remembrance Day, and are beautifully presented in digital formats ideal for printing and framing.

Matthew Holden | Military Research Specialist

Name: British Military Ancestry Research Packages
Brand: History Recon
SKU: HR-MIL-RESEARCH-PKG

CEO, Soldiers of Gloucestershire Museum | Published Author | Veteran Battlefield Guide

The Researcher Bio

Matthew Holden is a leading authority on British military history and genealogy, currently serving as the CEO of the Soldiers of Gloucestershire Museum. With a career dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of military heritage, he bridges the gap between archival records and the physical reality of the battlefield.

A published author and prolific researcher, Matthew has published several definitive books on military history and has worked directly with the British Army to produce official battlefield guides. His expertise is rooted in a forensic approach to primary source research, with a specialized focus on the administrative evolution of British Army record-keeping and the complex internal numbering systems used to track personnel throughout the 20th century.

Beyond the archives, Matthew is a veteran battlefield guide, having led tours across the globe, from the valleys of South Korea to the trenches of the Western Front. This "boots on the ground" experience allows him to provide a unique, forensic perspective on military records that few other researchers can offer.

Areas of Expertise

Administrative Record Reconstruction: Navigating and interpreting the complex paperwork and evolving identification systems of the British Army.
Forensic Historical Research: Using primary source documents to reconstruct unit movements and individual service timelines.
Battlefield Interpretation: Correlating archival data with geographical terrain across 20th-century conflict zones.
Museum Leadership & Curation: Many years of experience in the professional management of military heritage and material culture.

Recent Publications

Final Roll Call- By Matthew A Holden and Jack Russell MBE. Available here

Defense of the Dunkirk Pocket- Battlefield study from Cassel to Calais (British Army)