Many rolls of honour or service started being compiled in the early days of the First World War and if your ancestor died in 1914 or 1915 it is worth checking items such as the two volumes of De Ruvigny's Roll of Honour (it is possible that more volumes may have been produced but only two are held by the Museum) in the Department of Printed Books. This was a private initiative to honour the dead and ceased fairly early on, as did several other similar undertakings, presumably because the unprecedented number of casualties made it impossible for the compilers to cope. 

Other institutions such as schools, universities, hospitals, companies, societies, sports organizations and churches all published rolls of honour, as did regiments and towns and counties, usually after the end of the War when the information could be fully collated. Information contained in these does vary, but it is always worth checking to see if one exists. The growth in the popularity of researching local war memorials has meant that new books or pamphlets are being published all the time. See also National Inventory of War Memorials.

Personal details are more likely to be found for those individuals who were commissioned or those who won gallantry awards. Printed Books hold some issues of The London Gazette and also sets of The Navy List, The Army List and The Royal Air Force List. There are a number of published medal rolls (although some medals are better documented than others, such as the Victoria Cross, the George Cross and the Distinguished Conduct Medal) as well as books describing the various medals and the conditions of their award. 

Unit histories are also extremely useful sources of information and will usually provide details relating to officers and medal awards. The collection of orders, medals and decorations held by the Department of Exhibits and Firearms is extensive and staff can provide guidance on other sources for further research.

Information sheets are available for some well known awards: the 1914 Star, (and 1914-15 Star), the British War Medal and Allied Victory Medal awarded to those who served in the First World War (see British Service Medals of the First World War); The Next of Kin Memorial Plaque, sent to the named next of kin of those who died as a direct result of First War service, and The Campaign Stars and Commemorative Medals of the Second World War.