IWM's extensive collections reflect people from all walks of life. This makes us a practical resource to help put the wartime experiences of your relatives into context.
We do not hold personal service records or official documentation.
Our expert staff have put together these useful guides to help you start your research into your family history, explaining what records you will need and where to find them.
- Tracing your Army family history
- Tracing your Royal Flying Corps and Royal Air Force history
- Tracing your Royal Navy history
- Tracing your Merchant Navy history
- Tracing Prisoners of War
- Tracing your Second World War Home Front family history
- Tracing US Forces in Britain
You can research the experiences of an individual by looking at:
- Service records – administrative files may record dates and places of enlistment and demobilisation, postings and units, injuries or disciplinary action. Different records exist for airmen and officers.
- Casualty information – sources recording those wounded or taken prisoner of war as well as the burial and commemoration of those who died.
- Medal records – medal entitlements can indicate involvement in specific campaigns as well as awards for service or gallantry.
- Unit and operational histories – resources describing the day to day operational activities of units.
- Social and local history – church records, local newspapers, school and workplace registers may mention an individual.
Start by gathering information from mementoes, medals, letters and documents that you or other family members may still have. Look for clues about which units the person served with, what ranks they held and their service number, to help you find and search the right records.
Many records are only available online, sometimes on more than one site. We have listed the main sources but there may be others. Some records are free to view but others are available on either a subscription or pay per view basis. Check the home page of the sites for details and current offers.
IWM
We have an outstanding research library including over 150,000 books and periodicals. Search our online catalogue for materials we have in our collection that you can request to view.
Appointments are available for you to do more in-depth investigation in our Research Room.
For more information, opening times and to request an appointment check our research facilities.
You can also search IWM's War Memorials Register - search over 1.6 million names and 50,000 images from the UK’s War Memorials.