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→Army personnel serving after January 1921
The Ministry of Defence has released an aid for the files they hold for service personnel with a '''birth date prior to 1901''', which contains name, date of birth and service number. Numbers with a P prefix are believed to designate officers.<ref>Underdown, David [https://www.greatwarforum.org/topic/221706-index-to-be-released-of-pre-1901-dob-service-records-still-held-by-mod/?do=findComment&comment=2196454 Index to be released of pre 1901 DoB service records still held by MoD] ''Great War Forum'' 05 December 2014. Retrieved 23 May 2018.</ref> The aid is in the form of a letter of advice and eight attachments in MS Excel Spreadsheet format, which may be found in [https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/foi-responses-released-by-mod-week-commencing-1-december-2014 FOI responses released by MOD: week commencing 1 December 2014].
<br>'''Update''': 2017, April. This MOD database is now available on Ancestry as [http://search.ancestry.co.uk/search/db.aspx?dbid=61448 UK, Military Discharge Indexes, 1920-1971], although Ancestry does not advise the source. (Located in the Military category, and otherwise appears unclassified. If locating through Ancestry Search, use the card catalogue with search term Discharge). Also available on Forces War Records as [https://www.forces-war-records.co.uk/collections/180/pre-1921-mod-retention-records/ Pre 1921 MOD retention records], (seen 2018, May).
<br>'''Note''': It appears that this database aid is not 100% accurate, as there is a known instance of a file which the MOD subsequently located, which was not included in the provided database.<ref>Dragoon [httphttps://1914-1918www.invisionzonegreatwarforum.com/forumsorg/topic/255470-soldiers-records-after-1918/?do=findComment&comment=2584570 Soldiers Records after 1918?] ''Great War Forum'' 20 November 2017. Retrieved 20 November 20173 May 2020.</ref>
Hints, mainly from WW2Talk Forum.
*"They will accept anything that is proof of death, even a undertakers receipt or a photograph of a post war civilian headstone”. <ref>Drew5233 [http://ww2talk.com/index.php?threads/clarification-of-provision-of-death-certificate-service-records.49481/#post-582017 Clarification of provision of death certificate (Service records)] ''WW2Talk Forum'' 07 September 2013. Retrieved 7 October 2016.</ref> However, you do not have to supply a death certificate when the date of birth of the individual was more than 116 years ago.<ref>"Veterans:UK" fact sheet [http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20140805133045/http://www.veterans-uk.info/pdfs/service_records/army_pack.pdf Army Personnel Records And Family Interest Enquiries] UK Government Web Archive. </ref>
*The next of kin hierarchy is explained on a WW2Talk Forum topic which also advises that “There is currently about a 12 month wait to receive the records once you apply”<ref> jacksun (Wayne) [http://ww2talk.com/index.php?threads/ww2-soldier-research-tips-and-links-for-new-researchers.41567/ WW2 Soldier Research - Tips and Links for New Researchers], ''WW2Talk Forum'' 28 August 2012. Retrieved 7 October 2016.</ref>
*For help in interpreting the records, the Ministry of Defence archived webpage, [https://web.archive.org/web/20170821062907/https://www.army.mod.uk/welfare-support/23212.aspx Army Personnel Centre] contains a link (on the right hand side of the webpage, towards the top) to a list of Useful Abbreviations. The link is to a Document download, which depending on your browser, you may to locate in your downloads folder. (Note, this download remains accessible, even though it is reached through an archived webpage). Other list of abbreviations, from [http://www.armedforces.co.uk/abbreviations.php Armed Forces.co.uk] and from [http://cmhs.ca/index.php/leftmenu-abbreviations cmhs.ca]. [https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/227048/acronyms_and_abbreviations_dec08.pdf MOD Acronyms and Abbreviations]. Definitions for terms and acronyms used throughout MOD documents. gov.uk.[https://www.awm.gov.au/learn/glossary Glossary: awm.gov.au]
====Died in military service from 1948====
*[http://veterans.mod.uk Online Roll of Honour] contains the names of members of the Armed Forces who died in military service, on or after 1 January 1948 (and Palestine 1945-47), who are commemorated on the official single service rolls of honour. Ministry of Defence: Veterans UK. Elsewhere<ref>[https://www.armymuseums.org.uk/for-archives-collections-museums/for-researchers/ Army Museums: Ogilby Trust/ Support/ Research/People] </ref> it is advised that this a listing of names of servicemen and women killed on duty or as a result of terrorist action, as recorded at the Armed Forces Memorial at the National Arboretum, Alrewas, Staffordshire.
