Do you have ancestors who served in the British military? Let us track down what happened to them. We can offer more than just dates and references. We can help to bring the person back to life by placing them in the appropriate historical context. We will tell their story.
British military records can also be an important part of your genealogy or family history research because they not only provide details about the military service itself, but they may provide information not found in other records.
We can also link to the ‘before’ and the ‘after’ of military service.
We have experts who are specialists in British military research, hold Ph.Ds in the subject, and have published books based on their research. We would love to help you track down the information that you need to better understand the military service of your British ancestors.
We are able to research and retrieve those records which are available within the public domain but you should be aware that not all military records have survived.
Searches are conducted at locations such as: The National Archives, National Army Museum, The Imperial War Museum, Copyright Libraries, and Regimental and Military Museum collections. We also use secondary source materials to further strengthen the research.
Research findings can include:
- Photographs and moving images
- Newspaper articles
- Service records
- Personal accounts
- War diary accounts
- Information on awards and medals
- Placing the record into an understandable context, such as units and campaigns
Depending on what it is you are looking for, we can offer a range of options and prices.
The following example is work completed by us and highlights the nature of the research that we are able to provide.
We were commissioned by a collector in Pittsburgh, USA, to find out more about Private John Smith Wallace who was killed in action on the Western Front. The clue we got to follow included his hymnal, memorial plaque, and a temporary grave marker.
We got to work and with some desktop research and the invaluable assistance of the Liverpool Scottish Museum, we managed to tell the story of a young man shot dead by a German sniper. He was only 19 years old.
Born in 1895 in Liverpool, England. He was the son of Robert Wallace. (B.1868c. Gore, Aberdeenshire. – Barman / Licenced Victualler/ Manager.) Resident. 44, Lowther St., Liverpool. / Duckinfield St., Liverpool… Married at Liverpool. 28/11/1894 to, Catherine ‘Kate’ McLennan. (B.1866c. Garston, Liverpool.)…Brother of, Kenneth McLennan Wallace. (B.1900c. – D.1958).
City of Liverpool Cadet Bn. King’s Liverpool Regiment… … Previous employment. Apprentice/Engineer. (Elder Dempster & Co. Ltd.)
Residence. (1911c.) 41, Mulliner St., Smithdown Rd., Liverpool… Previous employment, Engineer (Mersey Ironworks)…
There is an Elder and Dempster record published in 1921 which lists all the war dead on their fleet and employees.
Joined ranks of 10th (Scottish) Battalion. Kings Liverpool Regiment. Territorial Force, at HQ. Fraser St., Liverpool…Medical & Attested. 26/05/1913… Given age 17 – 5… Pte… No.2708… Posted to E.Coy…
One of the many interesting minor points of the research into John Smith Wallace was observing that the Medical Officer that signed him as fit to serve on his T.F. attestation papers in 1913 was none other than Noel Chavasse (the only soldier to be awarded 2 Victoria Crosses during the war).
Mobilised 05/08/1914… Serving in U.K. – King’s Park, Edinburgh. (Camp) & Tunbridge Wells. (Billets). Volunteered for foreign service at T/Wells 29/10/1914… Proceeded for service overseas with E.Coy. 1/10th., left T/Wells 31/10/1914… Embarked Southampton 01/11/1914 aboard the S.S. ‘Maidan’… Disembarked Le Havre 03/11/1914… Y.Coy 1/10th Bn… Fell out, 21/12/14 – 24/12/14.…
KIA. 19/01/1915. Aged 19… Service 1yr. – 239dys. (1914 Star, BWM., VM.) Medals sent to brother Kenneth McLennan Wallace at, 69, Wavertree Rd., Liverpool .. Plaque & Scroll issued…
Buried Kemmel Chateau Military Cemetery., Belgium.
Billets, boxing competition in evening. Started building stables. Wrote to father of Pte. Wallace. Pte.Boyd (died in hospital) buried in the churchyard at L… (3158 Boyd P.J.)
The diary of Lt. Colonel Davidson (the C.O.) recorded the death of Pte. Wallace, and stated that he had written to his father.
Unfortunately, the whole family had a tragic fate. Within a few months of a letter written by the commanding officer of the 10th Liverpool Scottish, Lt. Col Davidson, to Robert Wallace informing him of his son’s death, Robert died at the age of 47. One year later, Kate also died aged c50. This left the 16-year-old Kenneth as the only member of the family who survived within the space of 18 months. There are some touching letters from Kenneth to the War Office about obtaining the grave plaque of his brother from Kemmel Cemetery.
French Phillips Historical Consultancy 