• Full name (including any variants or service name)
• Date of birth (or approximate year)
• Service number (if known)
• Branch of service (Army / RAF / Royal Navy / Royal Marines)
• Date(s) or conflict (e.g., “WW2”, or enlistment years)
• Unit, sub-unit, or battalion if known (helps museums locate records and context)

Having as much of this as possible speeds up searches.

1. Go to GOV.UK’s Get a copy of military records of service guidance and follow the instructions.
2. If the person is deceased, download and complete the relevant request forms and send them with supporting documents (e.g., death certificate).
3. If the person is alive, follow instructions for applying for your own records (proof of identity and address required).

Top tip: explain any urgent reason (legal / medical / probate) when applying as requests can sometimes be prioritised.

• MOD/National Archives processing can take many months; GOV.UK currently notes applications can take up to a year.
• If your GOV.UK search returns no result, check the National Archives and other repositories, which may hold relevant material and offer separate guidance.

• Search the National Archives and their research guides for Army personnel records.
• For those who died in service, check the Commonwealth War Graves Commission database.
• For detailed guidance, consult parliamentary research briefings on accessing service records.

1. Identify the correct regiment or corps and its successor if amalgamated (using Regimental Succession Documents).
2. Use the AMOT Museums Directory to contact the appropriate museum. Museums can often:
   • Confirm battalion postings and likely locations
   • Search for photos, rolls, medal indexes, or other archival items
   • Offer contextual information about what the unit was doing at the time
3. Some museums charge for detailed research; others answer basic queries for free (donations welcome).

• Short summary of what you already know (name, service number, DOB, service branch, dates)
• Copies or photos of any documents already held (medal cards, photos, discharge papers)
• A clear question (e.g., “Do you hold any photos or unit war diaries for Private X, service number Y, 1943–1946?”)

• Collect as much information as possible before contacting a museum; this increases the chance of useful results.
• If unsure of the regiment, don’t assume local recruitment, men were often drafted where needed, especially during world wars.
• Use photographs to identify badges or insignia; specialist groups like the Great War Forum (WWI) or the Victorian Military Society (19th century) can help.
• Museums provide context to official records, e.g., if you know the unit and dates, they can tell you where the battalion was stationed and what they were doing.

• Re-check spellings and service numbers (records may use variations).
• Try genealogy services or specialist military researchers.
• Contact your local Member of Parliament for advice if official records remain inaccessible.