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

Tracing a WWII British military ancestor can be daunting—especially with only a name, branch, or medal. This hub shows how to trace WWII service records, explore war diaries, uncover medal rolls and casualty lists, and access POW or Home Guard files. We'll guide you through each key resource to help rebuild their wartime service step by step.

WWII Service Records: What Is Available & How to Get Them

Stack of aged wartime documents representing British WWII service records held in military archives

What Records Exist – and Where to Find Them

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

Most WWII service records are still held by the Ministry of Defence — but don’t worry, we explain the process and show what you can expect to uncover.

👉 How to Apply for a WWII Service Record

👉 Interpreting a WWII Army Record

👉Researching your ancestor online

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

How to Trace RAF Ancestors Using Squadron Records & Logbooks

WWII-era RAF Spitfire in flight, ideal for tracing Royal Air Force service records and researching aircrew ancestors

Tracing Royal Air Force Service in WWII

From Bomber Command to ground crew, RAF records require a slightly different approach. These guides will help you identify squadron movements, logbooks, and aircrew roles.

⏳ Coming soon: How to Trace an RAF Ancestor from WWII

⏳ Understanding RAF Squadron Records

How to Trace WWII Royal Navy & Merchant Navy Ancestors

Historic British warship representing Royal Navy personnel research in WWII, including ship logs and sailor records

Researching Naval Service in the Second World War

Naval personnel leave behind unique service papers and ship logs. We’ll explain how to access these records and what they reveal.

⏳ Tracing a WWII Royal Navy Ancestor

⏳ Coming soon: Using Ship Logs and Naval Operations Reports

Tracing Home Guard, ATS & Civil Defence Ancestors in WWII

British Home Guard unit on parade with weapons, ideal for researching home front military roles and WWII service records

Not Everyone Fought Overseas

Many served in vital roles at home. Whether your ancestor was in the Home Guard, ATS, Civil Defence, or Land Army, we cover what you can find.

⏳ Coming soon: Guide to Home Guard and ATS Records

⏳ Understanding Civil Defence and ARP Service

How to Find POW Files, Medal Rolls & Casualty Lists from WWII

Man behind bars in low light, symbolising World War II prisoner of war records and tracing captured military ancestors

Was Your Relative Captured, Injured or Decorated?

Explore how to find POW records, campaign medals, casualty lists, and stories of those who never returned.

⏳ Tracing a WWII Prisoner of War

⏳ What WWII Medal Records Can Reveal

⏳Understanding Casualty Lists

Need Help Tracing Your WWII British Ancestor?

Professional WWII Military Research Services

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

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Tracing a WWII 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

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I apply for WWII British Army service records?

Request WWII British Army service records through the UK Ministry of Defence. You’ll need the soldier’s full name, date of birth, and preferably their service number. If the serviceman died over 25 years ago, anyone can apply; otherwise, only next of kin may request access.

Where can I find WWII war diaries?

WWII war diaries (series WO 166/171 at The National Archives) give daily unit-level reports. Many are digitized and searchable online. They rarely mention individuals by name—but paired with service records, they help map your ancestor’s movements and experiences.

How do I locate medal rolls or POW records for a WWII ancestor?

Medal rolls and POW files can be found via the National Archives, Ancestry, or specialist military databases. Medal rolls often include service numbers and unit details, while POW files (if your ancestor was captured) may include capture date, camp, and repatriation data.