Researching your military family history is incredibly rewarding, but one common roadblock stands in the way of many genealogists: not knowing which regiment an ancestor served in. Without a regiment, it can be hard to trace a WW1 soldier from the UK or locate accurate British Army service records.
The good news? Even if the regiment isn’t immediately known, there are still several practical steps you can take to identify it — and unlock a fuller story of your ancestor’s military service.
In this guide, you’ll learn what to do if you don’t know which regiment your ancestor served in, how to use long-forgotten clues, and where to find UK military family history records that hold the answers.
Step 1: Start with the Soldier’s Name, Age, and Location
Even without a regiment, you can begin your search using:
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Full name (including any middle names or spelling variations)
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Year of birth and place of residence before the war
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Approximate service dates (e.g., WW1 or WW2)
Search British Army ancestry records using this basic information to filter out unrelated entries. Many service records include place of enlistment or hometowns, which can point toward a local regiment.
Tip: Use “trace British army ancestors by name and birth date” as a strategy, not just a search phrase.
Step 2: Look for Clues in Family Documents and Photos
Don’t overlook the power of family archives. Old letters, postcards, or photographs may contain:
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Cap badges or insignias identifying a regiment
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Postmarks from training camps or overseas postings
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Mentions of fellow soldiers or commanding officers
If you find a photo of your ancestor in uniform, compare the cap badge to online guides or regimental reference books. This can help you narrow down the unit they served with.
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Step 3: Search Medal Index Cards and Award Rolls
During WW1, nearly every soldier was issued medals — and medal records are often the easiest way to trace a WW1 soldier when you don’t know their regiment.
Visit online databases to search the Medal Index Cards using the soldier’s full name and date of birth. These cards typically include:
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Regiment
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Service number
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Medals awarded
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Theatre of war first served in
Once you find the service number and regiment, you can begin tracking down regimental war diaries and service histories.
More information on how to find WW1 ancestor’s medal card here.
Step 4: Use Census Records and Absent Voter Lists
The 1911 Census and 1921 Census (UK) can help you identify a person’s civilian status before or after the war. In some cases, service status is mentioned directly in census records.
More importantly, Absent Voter Lists from 1918 and 1919 often include:
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Names of soldiers
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Service number
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Regiment and battalion
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Home address
These records are gold for researchers tracing WW1 soldiers in the UK by regiment and residence.
Keyword: “find UK military family history by town and regiment”
Step 5: Explore the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Database
If your ancestor died during service, the CWGC database may list their:
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Full name
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Regiment and unit
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Service number
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Burial or memorial location
Even if you’re unsure whether your ancestor survived the war, it’s worth checking this database using different spelling variants.
For help to trace WW1 soldier UK via military burial record click here.
Step 6: Investigate Local Newspapers and Rolls of Honour
Many towns, schools, and churches created local rolls of honour that include the names and regiments of those who served. These may be:
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Published in local newspapers
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Engraved on war memorials
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Stored in local archives or libraries
You might find mentions of specific battles, promotions, or injuries — all of which can help trace the right British Army service records. It can be useful to research local regiments from your town or county.
Step 7: Consider the Most Likely Regiment Based on Geography
If you still don’t have confirmation but know where your ancestor lived, you can make an educated guess about the regiment. Many men enlisted in local units, especially early in the war. For example:
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Men from Manchester often joined the Manchester Regiment
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Men from Glasgow might have served in the Highland Light Infantry
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Those in Yorkshire may have joined the King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
From there, you can check regimental enlistment dates and cross-reference names and service numbers.
Related phrase: “manchester regiment records lookup” or “help tracing soldiers from Scotland in WW1”
Step 8: Use the Service Number (If You Have It)
Sometimes a service number appears on medals, headstones, or family records even if the regiment isn’t mentioned. Each regiment and corps used specific numbering sequences, which can help identify the unit.
There are online resources and military research professionals who specialize in interpreting British Army service numbers to help you trace service history.
Tips on how to trace British army ancestor using service number can be found here.
Final Thoughts: You Don’t Need All the Answers to Get Started
Not knowing a soldier’s regiment can feel like a dead end — but it’s not. By combining family information, public records, and even local knowledge, you can piece together a compelling military profile and deepen your military family tree.
Whether you’re researching British army WW1 records, trying to find medal cards, or exploring regimental war diaries, there are still paths forward.
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