How to Trace a British WWI or WWII Soldier
Tracing a British soldier who served in the First or Second World War can feel daunting at first. Military records are scattered across archives, numbering systems changed during the wars, and many service files were destroyed during the Blitz.
However, most military research follows a predictable path. By combining service numbers, regimental records, and wartime documents, it is often possible to reconstruct a soldier’s wartime story.
This guide explains the key records historians use when researching British Army soldiers from 1914–1918 and 1939–1945.
Step 1: Start With What You Know
Every military research project begins with a few basic details. Even small pieces of information can unlock important records.
The most useful starting clues include:
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Full name
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Regiment or corps
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Service number
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Approximate dates of service
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Family photographs or medals
Of these, a service number is often the most powerful research clue, because it can reveal when and where a soldier joined the army.
Step 2: Use the Service Number
British Army service numbers were not random. During both world wars they were issued in identifiable blocks that were often linked to specific regiments or enlistment periods.
By analysing these numbering systems, historians can sometimes estimate:
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the regiment a soldier joined
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when he likely enlisted
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the type of unit he first served with
For example, certain service number ranges were allocated to particular battalions or Territorial Force units during the war. Tools that analyse these historical numbering systems can sometimes provide useful clues when beginning research.
Step 3: Check Medal Records
One of the most useful sources for First World War research is the Medal Index Card. These cards record the medals awarded to soldiers and usually include their regiment and service number.
The corresponding medal rolls can sometimes identify the exact battalion a soldier served with, which helps reconstruct their wartime service.
For many soldiers, medal records provide the first confirmed link between a name, service number, and unit.
Step 4: Look for Service Records
Some soldiers’ full service files still survive.
For the First World War these records are mainly found in two archive series:
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WO 363 – “Burnt Documents”
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WO 364 – Pension Records
Although many files were destroyed during the Second World War bombing of London, surviving records can contain detailed information such as:
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enlistment dates
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postings between units
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medical history
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discharge details
When they survive, these records provide the most complete picture of a soldier’s service.
If you would like a deeper explanation of the documents mentioned here, you can download our guide to understanding British Army service records. Download here
Step 5: Reconstruct the Unit Story
Once a soldier’s unit or battalion has been identified, historians often turn to war diaries.
War diaries record the daily activities of military units during wartime, including:
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movements
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battles
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casualties
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operational orders
While they rarely mention individual soldiers, they allow researchers to reconstruct the events a soldier likely experienced during the war.
Step 6: When Records Are Missing
Because many military records were destroyed or never preserved, it is often necessary to combine several sources to rebuild a soldier’s history.
Researchers frequently cross-reference:
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Commonwealth War Graves Commission records
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casualty lists
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regimental histories
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medal rolls
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wartime newspapers
By combining these sources, it is often possible to reconstruct a surprisingly detailed account of a soldier’s wartime service.
When to Consider Professional Research
Sometimes military research reaches a point where surviving records become difficult to interpret. Service numbers may appear in multiple records, soldiers may transfer between units, and key documents may be missing.
Professional military researchers specialise in interpreting these records and reconstructing soldiers’ wartime histories.
Need Help Tracing a Soldier?
History Recon specialises in researching British soldiers of the First and Second World Wars, helping families uncover the wartime stories behind their relatives.