Analysis of over 380,000 digitised historic naval records reveals that nearly a third of the sailors who helped Britain achieve naval supremacy in World War I were ‘underage’ volunteers. The Royal Navy Registers of Seaman’s Services, 1900-1928 detail each sailor’s name, birthdate, birthplace, vessels served on, service number, and other service details. Additionally, the records include Read More
War has a tendency to hasten progress and inspire invention. After all, necessity is said to be the mother of invention, and wartime is a period of prolonged, urgent necessity. Radar, the computer, duct tape, and Twinkies all owe their invention or improvement to world wars. Here’s a list of more innovations you probably never knew Read More
Anyone can spout off Winston Churchill and King George VI as prominent Englishmen in the Second World War, but they certainly weren’t the only Brits of wartime significance. Here’s a look at four, fascinating English men and women whose stories of heroism in WWII went relatively untold for decades. Eileen Nearne Topping the list is Read More
5 new ways to trace your military ancestors We’re giving you 5 new ways to trace your military ancestors this Remembrance Weekend. We’ve added thousands of new records covering both World Wars, and stretching right back into the 19th century. The largest new release is Commonwealth War Graves, 1914-1945. If you have relatives who fell Read More
The British Empire lost more than 700,000 service personnel in World War I, and almost three times that many were discharged because of wounds or illness that left them physically unfit for service. The service and sacrifice of more than 800,000 of these men—and women—is recognized in the collection of Silver War Badge Records, 1914–1920, now Read More