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→Service and pension records
====Service and pension records====
Discharge papers ([http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/displaycataloguedetails.asp?CATID=13157&CATLN=3&Highlight=&FullDetails=True WO 97]), usually containing service/attestation information, and pension records ([http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/displaycataloguedetails.asp?CATID=13082&CATLN=3&Highlight=&FullDetails=True WO 22]) may also be found at TNA. Discharge papers up to 1854 are listed alphabetically by name and can be searched online on the National Archives site.. Records in WO 97 are usually only for men discharged with a pension (ie having served 12 years or having been invalided) as these were the papers sent to the Royal Hospital Chelsea and preserved. Note however, WO 97 records are unlikely to include the records of men who subsequently rejoined the British Army during World War 1. The records often contain a wealth of genealogical information, including birth date and location, next of kin, physical description, service locations, medical history and medals.
The National Archives is working with findmypast.co.uk to scan and place online WO 97 (Royal Hospital Chelsea: Soldiers' Service Documents 1760-1913) and [http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/displaycataloguedetails.asp?CATID=13156&CATLN=3&accessmethod=5 WO 96] (War Office: Militia Attestation Papers 1806-1915) by the end of 2011. All WO 97 records, for the years 1760 to 1913 are currently available on [http://www.findmypast.co.uk/chelsea-pensioners-service-records-collection-search-start.action findmypast.co.uk]. Searching the records is free, but charges apply to view the records, although they can be viewed for free at TNA (and other institutions with a FMP subscription).
