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.

How to Trace Your British Ancestor’s Service in the First World War

Looking to trace a British ancestor who served in the First World War? Whether you're researching a soldier from the trenches of the Western Front or a relative in the Royal Army Medical Corps, this guide brings together our top resources for uncovering a service history. From understanding WWI service numbers to reading war diaries, every blog here is designed to help you navigate the maze of British military records from 1914 to 1918.

Identifying Their Regiment

Researcher examining a wartime diary with a magnifying glass – identifying a British Army regiment from WWI

Not Sure Which Regiment They Served In?

Don’t worry — it’s one of the most common problems. Start here:

👉 What to Do If You Don’t Know Which Regiment Your Ancestor Served In

👉 Common Regiments in WW1 and Where They Fought

👉 The Royal Scots Regiment in WWI

Want an expert to trace your ancestor? Explore our research services.

Decoding Service Records

Digital screen showing raw data – decoding First World War service records and military files

Understanding the Documents

Once you know their regiment or service number, these posts help decode what their records actually say:

⏳ Guide to WWI Service Numbers

⏳ Understanding Army Forms and Abbreviations

Following Their Unit Through War Diaries

Scaffolding structure – reconstructing a British Army ancestor’s wartime movements using WWI war diaries

Reconstruct Their Wartime Journey

Learn how to use battalion war diaries to uncover daily movements, battles, and locations:

⏳ How to Use Regimental War Diaries in WWI Research

Medals, Casualties, and Memorials

Gold, silver and bronze medals – expert research packages to uncover a British Army ancestor’s service

Were They Wounded, Honoured, or Lost?

Honour their service by exploring medal rolls, casualty lists, and memorial records:

⏳ Using the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Website

⏳ What Medal Records Can Reveal

Don’t Have Time? Let Us Help

Professional WWI Military Research Services

If you’d prefer expert help, explore our affordable research packages:

🧾 View Research Packages

💌 Gift Packages

Tracing a WWI British Army ancestor can be complex, but with the right guidance and tools, it’s possible to uncover their wartime story in remarkable detail. Use the blogs above or get in touch for personalised support. Their story deserves to be told.

Or, return to start tracing