“A to Z Genealogy Tips – Fortnightly Series”

Military records reveal more than service details—they uncover family stories and relationships.

Enlistment papers, service records, medals, and pensions provide personal information and often include next-of-kin details. These records can reveal life events not documented elsewhere, from battles to migrations.

Unit and Commander’s War Diaries record daily activities of units during operations periods.  While an ancestor may not be specifically recorded, the diaries give an insight into the lives of those in the unit during that period of time.

Nearly all Australian WWI and WWII military records have been digitised and are held by the National Archives of Australia.  The exceptions are where personnel continued in the service beyond the specific wars, though a request can be made for an assessment of the file if it’s not currently available.  Archives New Zealand have all World War I military service records digitised.

Search military archives for an ancestor’s service record and add depth to their story.