Tracing a WWII Prisoner of War: A Guide to British POW Records and Resources

Where to Begin: Clues from Family History

If you’ve heard stories about your ancestor being “captured,” “interned,” or “liberated,” they may have been a prisoner of war. Start by gathering:

• Full name and date of birth

• Service number (if known)

• Regiment, corps, or service branch

• Theatre of war (e.g. North Africa, Burma, Europe)

• Any medals or documents in the family

Tip: WWII POW research often begins with the same core records used for standard service tracing — but then expands into more specialist sources.

We have created our own guide to help you start tracing your military ancestry here.

Key British WWII POW Records to Search

📘 1. British Army POW Lists (WO 392)

Held at The National Archives, these include:

• Name, rank, service number, regiment

• Camp location and prisoner number

• Sometimes, the date of capture

These are especially helpful for soldiers held in Germany or Italy.

🌏 2. Japanese Index Cards of Allied Prisoners of War

If your ancestor was captured in the Far East, these cards (also at TNA in WO 345) often include:

• Capture and death dates

• Names in kanji

• Work camp locations

• Personal effects and family contacts

These are among the most detailed WWII Japanese POW records available.

🧾 3. German POW Camp Records (Stalag/Luft)

For RAF and Army personnel, International Red Cross (ICRC) and German records (often held in archives or via Fold3) may include:

• Camp correspondence

• POW registration cards

• Liberation reports

Search terms like “WWII RAF prisoner of war records” or “Stalag prisoner lists” often lead here.

🪖 4. Liberation Questionnaires and Debriefings

Many returning POWs were interviewed after the war. These records, sometimes found in WO 208 and WO 344, may include:

• Escape attempts

• Conditions in camp

• Fellow prisoners’ names

• Experiences of forced labour

Common Challenges in WWII POW Research

• Service records are still restricted: You’ll need to apply via the MOD if the individual died after 1950

• Names may be misspelled in German/Japanese transcriptions

• Far East records can be incomplete or damaged

• Liberation reports often use acronyms or shorthand — decoding them takes some care

Can’t Find Anything? Here's What to Try Next:

• Search local newspapers for “missing in action” or “returned home” reports

• Look for mentions in regimental histories or unit war diaries (even POW events are sometimes noted)

• Consider researching fellow soldiers captured at the same time — group surrenders were common in North Africa and Italy

Need Help Tracing a WWII POW?

At History Recon, we specialise in uncovering wartime stories — including the most complex WWII prisoner of war cases. Whether you have just a name, or need help understanding Japanese index cards, we can piece together your ancestor’s POW experience from capture to liberation.