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This India List '''WO 120''' and '''WO 121''' records may be helpful. <ref> Murphy, Sylvia. [http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/INDIA/2011-04/1303469139 postThomaSs Pittmans pension record] mentions ''Rootsweb India Mailing List'WO 120''' and '''WO 121''' records22 April 2011. Retrieved 24 July 2016</ref>. Catalogue references are: *[http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/browse/C14328?v=r '''WO 120'''] "From about 1812 dates of death have been noted and in the last series these dates extend to 1877" The WO 120 records are not available online but are available on [[LDS]] microfilm with this [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=315468&disp=Regimental+registers+of+pensioners%2C+ar&columns=*,0,0 catalogue entry].
→1911 England and Wales Census
===Enlistment and birth in other overseas British Empire countries===
When researching, keep in mind that similar to the situation in India, it was also possible for men from other countries to enlist when regiments were stationed in their countries.<ref> Rootsweb Australia Message Board 3004 19 October 2004 post [http://boards.ancestry.co.uk/localities.oceania.australia.general/4184/mb.ashx?pnt=1 Chelsea Pensioners - soldiers with an Australian connection] It includes details of two men who were born in Australia and served in the Madras Artillery</ref> Men whose fathers were in the British Army could be born anywhere in the world the British Army was stationed.
===Indians in the British Army===
===The [London] Gazette===
*[https://www.thegazette.co.uk The [London<nowiki>]</nowiki> Gazette] Official Public Record for the U.K. Free Search for officers' commissions and promotions, and gallantry awards for both officers and other soldiers. Search tips: include full stops after initials, and if the name includes an apostrophe, follow this by a space. <ref> QGE (previously Martin G) et al. [http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=236539&hl= London Gazette Black Belts] ''Great War Forum'' 19 February 2016 et al. Retrieved 17 May 2016.</ref>:Some data from the ''London Gazette'' is available online elsewhere, where the Search facilities may be easier to use (Free Search, pay to view) :: Ancestry includes the database "The London Gazette (London, England), 1825-1962" (located under Newspapers & Periodicals), but notes there are random gaps in this collection.:[[findmypast]] includes the database "The London Gazette, Supplements August 1914 - January 1920" (Located under Armed forces & conflict/Medal rolls and honours), which also includes promotions and Battle Despatches ===Landed Gentry genealogical sources===Officers were often of high social status/the Landed Gentry class and genealogical resources relating to this social class may provide Army details.*[http://www.burkespeerage.com/home.php Burke’s Peerage 1826–2016] A pay website which states “the definitive guide to the genealogy and heraldry of the Peerage, Baronetage, Knightage and Landed Gentry of the United Kingdom, the historical families of Ireland and the Commonwealth of Nations….” :Editions of ''Burke's Peerage'' are available at major libraries.*[http://www.thepeerage.com/index.htm The Peerage]. A genealogical survey of the peerage of Britain. A free website.
===Military records at the National Archives===
For advice about the National Archives, both about visiting and your options if you can't visit, see the Fibiwiki page [[ The National Archives]]
====Service and pension records====
=====Chelsea PensionersOnline records=====Discharge papers ([http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/browse/C14305?v=r'''WO 97''', (to '''1913''')]), usually containing service/attestation informationWhere a record series appears on both findmypast, and pension records ([http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/browse/C14231?v=r '''WO 22''']) Ancestry there may also be found at TNAdifferences in transcriptions of names which will affect the Search results. Records in WO 97 are usually only for men discharged with If you cannot initially find a pension (irecord, it is suggested you try searching on both websites.e. for long service or having been invalided <ref name=====Skel > Victorian Wars Forum thread [http://www.victorianwars.com/viewtopic.php?f=27&tFindmypast=5904#p23104 Pension?] quoting from ''The Victorian Army at Home ''by AR Skelley</ref>) as these were the papers sent to the Royal Hospital Chelsea and preserved, but from 1883, most causes of discharge, (apart from death (with a few exceptions)<ref>There are WO 97 records for a few men who died in the Anglo- Boer War (and papers in the Ancestry "WWI" series for men who died during the Anglo-Boer War) according to this [http://www.victorianwars.com/viewtopic.php?f=82&t=3511&start=15#p23904 Victorian Wars Forum post] dated 1 October 2011 by Meurig. This further Victorian Wars Forum [http://www.victorianwars.com/viewtopic.php?f=82&t=7112#p30127 post] dated 30 May 2012 by Mark A Reid also mentions Findmypast contains a few other deaths. George Francis died in the Tochi Valley in 1897, yet his papers appear in the WO 363 WW1 records on findmypast.</ref>) were included. Note however, database '''the survival rate of discharge papers appears to be low for men discharged overseas<ref>''My Ancestor was in the British ArmyService Records''', page 63 by Michael Watts and Christopher Watts 2009<located in Armed forces & conflict/ref> [ie not in BritainRegimental & service records, which contains records between 1760 and therefore low 1920, for India]. If a man went on to serve during World War 1 then his records would normally have been removed from WO97 officers and placed with his WW1 service records<ref> ''My Ancestor was in the British Army''other ranks, page 64 by Michael Watts and Christopher Watts 2009 and [http://newsarchfrom The National Archives.rootsweb.com/th/read/DEVON/2010 This database consists of *WO 22 -03/1269096802 Royal Hospital Chelsea Pensioners] dated 20 March 2010 from Rootsweb Devon List.</ref>. WO 97 records are also unlikely to include men who immediately went on active service with a Milita unit, (whose discharge papers may have been transferred to the Milita unit)<ref>India List [http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/INDIA/2011-06/1308580161 post] dated 20 June 2011</ref>'''. The records often contain a wealth returns of genealogical information, including birth date and location, next payment of kin, physical description, service locations, medical history Army and medals. They may include information about marriages, births of children or deaths of family members.other pensions 1842-1883 The National Archives has worked with findmypast to scan and place online '''*WO 97''' (23 - Royal Hospital Chelsea: Soldiers' Service Documents 1760admission books, registers, and papers 1702-1913). All 1876*WO 97 76 - Regimental records, for the years '''1760 to 1913''' are currently available on findmypast as part of a group of records called ''officers'British Army Service Records 1760services 1775-1915'''. This group of records consists of1914*WO 96 - Militia service records 1806-1915 (WO96)*WO 97 - Chelsea Pensioners : pensioners British Army service records 1760-1913 (WO97)*Royal Hospital, WO 121 - Chelsea: pensioners' discharge documents 1760-1887 (WO121) (see [[British Army#Other Pension Records| Other Pension Records below]])*Royal Hospital, WO 122 - Chelsea: pensioners' discharge documents, foreign regiments 1816-1817 (WO122) *War Office: WO 128 - Imperial Yeomanry, soldiers' documents, South African War 1899-1902 (WO128)*Royal Hospital, WO 131 - Chelsea: documents of soldiers awarded deferred pensions 1838-1896 (WO131)*WO 339 - Officers' services, First World War, regular army and emergency reserve officers Transcripts only*WO 363 - First World War service records 'burnt documents'*WO 364 - First World War pension claims*WO 374 - Officers' services, First World War, personal files*WO 400 - The Household Cavalry 1801-1919 See below for details of these records. An associated database is '''British Army Service Records Image Browse''', located in Armed forces & conflict/Service Records which contains the above records, excluding the First World War records. A separate online dataset is '''British Army Pensioners - Royal Hospital Kilmainham, Ireland, 1783-1822''' located in Armed forces & conflict /Regimental & service records. These records are from the National Archives WO 119 records
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).
For some findmypast blogs about these records, see below<ref>FindMyPast blogs "Behind the scenes":
[http://blog.findmypast.co.uk/2010/09/behind-the-scenes-the-chelsea-pensioners-records-with-paul-nixon-content-licensing-manager/ The Chelsea Pensioners records with Paul Nixon, content licensing manager] 15 Sep 2010 and [http://blog.findmypast.co.uk/2010/10/behind-the-scenes-our-expert-stephen-rigden-on-spelling-variations/ Our expert, Stephen Rigden, on spelling variations] 29 Oct 2010</ref>
======Ancestry======
Ancestry is a pay website.
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=1219 '''British Army WWI Service Records, 1914-1920'''] are WO 363 records.
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=1114 '''British Army WWI Pension Records 1914-1920'''] are WO 364 records.
=====Chelsea Pensioners=====
Discharge papers ([http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/browse/C14305?v=r'''WO 97''', (to '''1913''')]), usually containing service/attestation information, and pension records ([http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/browse/C14231?v=r '''WO 22''']) may also be found at TNA. Records in WO 97 are usually only for men discharged with a pension (i.e. for long service or having been invalided <ref name=Skel > Victorian Wars Forum thread [http://www.victorianwars.com/viewtopic.php?f=27&t=5904#p23104 Pension?] quoting from ''The Victorian Army at Home ''by AR Skelley</ref>) as these were the papers sent to the Royal Hospital Chelsea and preserved, but from 1883, most causes of discharge, (apart from death (with a few exceptions)<ref>There are WO 97 records for a few men who died in the Anglo- Boer War (and papers in the Ancestry "WWI" series for men who died during the Anglo-Boer War) according to this [http://www.victorianwars.com/viewtopic.php?f=82&t=3511&start=15#p23904 Victorian Wars Forum post] dated 1 October 2011 by Meurig. This further Victorian Wars Forum [http://www.victorianwars.com/viewtopic.php?f=82&t=7112#p30127 post] dated 30 May 2012 by Mark A Reid also mentions a few other deaths. George Francis died in the Tochi Valley in 1897, yet his papers appear in the WO 363 WW1 records on findmypast.</ref>) were included.Note however, '''the survival rate of discharge papers appears to be low for men discharged overseas<ref>''My Ancestor was in the British Army'', page 63 by Michael Watts and Christopher Watts 2009</ref> [ie not in Britain, and therefore low for India]. If a man went on to serve during World War 1 then his records would normally have been removed from WO97 and placed with his WW1 service records<ref> ''My Ancestor was in the British Army'', page 64 by Michael Watts and Christopher Watts 2009 and [http://newsarch.rootsweb.com/th/read/DEVON/2010-03/1269096802 Chelsea Pensioners] dated 20 March 2010 from Rootsweb Devon List.</ref>. WO 97 records are also unlikely to include men who immediately went on active service with a Milita unit, (whose discharge papers may have been transferred to the Milita unit)<ref>India List [http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/INDIA/2011-06/1308580161 post] dated 20 June 2011</ref>'''. 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. They may include information about marriages, births of children or deaths of family members. '''Note''': There are examples of records to 1913, which are located in the WW1 records, rather than in the WO 97
records, even though the man did not serve in WW1.
This [http://www.victorianwars.com/viewtopic.php?f=27&t=5904#p23104 link] <ref name=Skel /> has some general information about pensions, quoting from ''The Victorian Army at Home'' by AR Skelley
=====Kilmainham Pensioners=====
The records online at findmypast now include those men discharged through the Kilmainham Hospital in Ireland, as '''"British Army Pensioners - Kilmainham, Ireland 1783-1822'''". These records are held under TNA reference [http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/browse/C14327?v=r WO 119], and are similar to the Chelsea Pensioner records WO 97, above. 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).
There are other records for Kilmainham , not digitised, under [http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/browse/C14326?v=r WO 118] “Registers of in- and out- pensioners of the Royal Hospital Kilmainham”. In-pensioners were admitted until 1922.
=====Other Pension Records=====
Another useful TNA source is the now available online '''WO 22''' subseries "Army and other pensions paid out locally in India, Ceylon and China" detailing names and payments made, including [http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/browse/C168751?v=r '''WO 22/228-230'''] Bengal, [http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/browse/C168760?v=r '''WO 22/237-238'''] Bombay and [http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/browse/C168789?v=r '''WO 22/266-270'''], mainly Madras.
**The book ''British Army Pensioners Abroad, 1772-1899'' by Norman K. Crowder includes all British Army pensioners who retired to any place outside of Great Britain for which records are available (1772-1899). There are 8,934 entries, transcribed from [http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/browse/C1923393?v=r WO 120/35] and [http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/browse/C1923427?v=r WO 120/69-70]. Each entry has one line, in the form "51st Regiment of Foot; Josh ABBOTT; pension awarded 27 Sept 1842; residence - Hobart Town, Australia; died 22 Apr 1871. Source WO120 Volume 69 page 206". <ref>[http://grthom.info/cpindex.html Chelsea Pensioners - Out Pensions] by Grahame Thom</ref>
*[http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/browse/C14329?v=r '''WO 121'''] records. These records are available online on findmypast as part of British Army Service Records 1760-1915, refer [[British Army#Chelsea Pensioners|above]]. The records include "Register of men discharged without pension", 1884 to 1887. Although the catalogue does not mention this, there are many records of men leaving the army in India under the heading "Nominal list of men discharged by the Commander-in-Chief in India." As the register provides name, regimental number, rank, corps, date and cause of discharge, attestation date (and a few other administration details) it is an invaluable resource for those not able to find these details elsewhere. 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).
These records are included in the National Archives catalogue entry [http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/browse/C537 Records of the Royal Chelsea and Kilmainham Hospitals]. The latter hospital was in Ireland. This category of records also includes
An interesting series of selected records is [http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/browse/C11584?v=r '''PIN 71''': Selected War Pensions Award Files for Service Prior to 1914]. This series consists of personal case files on disablement pensions arising from service in the Army or Navy before the First World War and case files concerning widows of such servicemen. The files contain medical records and details of place of birth, age, names of parents and siblings, religion, physical attributes, marital and parental status. The series appears to consist of approximately 6,300 individual files which are searchable by name online on the [http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/ Discovery catalogue]. The actual files however are not available online.
Service and pension records from '''World War 1''' from the National Archives are available on the pay site [http://www.ancestry.com sites findmypast and Ancestry .com], and from May 2014 on the pay site findmypast [[British Army#External links| refer below]]above. They do '''contain some papers for men who did not serve in WW1.''',<ref>Victorian Wars Forum [http://www.victorianwars.com/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=7266&start=15#p31162 post] dated 17 July 2012 by Meurig. Other examples have been seen.</ref>so it is suggested you check these records for men with service prior to the War years. The World War 1 records include*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=1219 British Army WWI Service Records, '''1914-1920'''] are [http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/browse/C14567?v=r '''WO 363'''] records also known as the ‘Burnt Documents.’ These are the records which survived a fire, about one third of the total documents. *[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=1114 British Army WWI Pension Records '''1914-1920'''] are [http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/browse/C14568?v=r '''WO 364'''] records
====Courts martial and desertion====
*The National Archives have the following research guides:
**[http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/records/looking-for-person/britisharmyofficerbefore1913.htm Looking for records of a British Army officer up to 1913]
***Regarding records mentioned in this link, note that WO 76 records are now available on findmypast, refer above, and are also available to download free as pdf files from [httpthe National Archives' Discovery catalogue. See "Free online records://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/digital-microfilm.asp National Archives: Documents Online: Digital Microfilm]" (link follows later in this section). For Army Lists, see [[Military periodicals online#New Annual Army List|Military periodicals online-New Annual Army List]]
***[http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/records/research-guides/army-officers-1660-1913.htm British Army officers up to 1913: further research] (Military Records Information 4)
**[http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/records/looking-for-person/officerbritisharmyafter1913.htm Looking for records of a British Army officer after 1913]
***[http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/records/research-guides/british-army-soldiers-discharge-and-pension-records.htm British Army soldiers up to 1913: further research] (Military Records Information 5)
***[http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/records/research-guides/army-muster-1730-1898.htm British Army: Muster Rolls and Pay Lists, c1730-1898] (Military Records Information 7)
**[http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/records/looking-for-person/britisharmysoldierafter1913.htm Looking for records of a British Army soldier after 1913] **[http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/help-with-your-research/research-guides/free-online-records-digital-microfilm/ Free online records: digital microfilm]. Includes a number of records in the WO series, including WO 25, War Office and predecessors Registers; WO 42 War Office: Officers’ Birth Certificates, Wills and Personal Papers; WO65 War Office: Printed Annual Army Lists; WO 76 War Office: Records of Officers’ Services, etc. Download through the record references in the National Archives' Discovery catalogue. (Note, some of these records may be available online on commercial sites such as Ancestry. For example, a selection of WO 25 records is available on Ancestry, in the dataset "Canada, British Regimental Registers of Service, 1756-1900").
*The National Archives has published the book ''Army Records: A Guide for Family Historians '' by William Spencer 2008. 160 pages. It is mainly about records in the National Archives and the India Office at the British Library. It contains a chapter "The British Army in India and the Indian Army", in addition to over twenty chapters about British Army records.
=====British Library Guides=====
No further details are given, but previously this [http://researchlondon.info/probate/probate-calendars-to-be-online-soon link]<ref>[http://researchlondon.info/probate/probate-calendars-to-be-online-soon Probate Calendars to be Online Soon] from Geoff Swinfield’s researchlondon.info and [http://www.ffhs.org.uk/news/news120510.php News from FFHS]. </ref> advised that 300,000 wills of soldiers killed in action were to become available online. They do not include officers. These wills date from the Crimea period onwards, and appear to be wills completed by soldiers in their paybooks. It appears the majority are from WW1. The article [http://www.westernfrontassociation.com/great-war-people/research-family-story/3306-wills-of-english-soldiers-killed-in-the-great-war.html "Wills of English soldiers killed in the Great War"] by David Tattersfield 25 September 2013 (“The Western Front Association”) has more details.
The index to some soldiers’ wills , perhaps more likely to be officers' wills, are also available in the [http://search.ancestry.co.uk/search/db.aspx?dbid=1904 Probate Calendars Of England & Wales1858-1996, in an additional section on the UK Government website, National Probate Calendar (Index of mentioned above. Also see [[Wills and , Administrations), 1861-1941 from AncestryProbate and Inventories]].com]
=====Soldiers’ effects records at the National Army Museum=====
====WW1 Casualty Lists====
WW1 Casualty Lists were initially published on a daily basis in newspapers, but WO original lists no longer appear to exist. They were then published weekly by HMSO, as ''War Office Weekly Casualty List'' no.1-48 (7 Aug.1917 - 2 July 1918), and later as ''Weekly Casualty List (War Office & Air Ministry)'' no.49-83 (9 July 1918 - 4 March 1919), available at some libraries. Daily lists may be found in online newspaper databases such as ''The [London] Times Digital Archive'', for access see [[Miscellaneous tips#Access some subscription websites with a Library Card|Miscellaneous tips]], and ''The Scotsman'' in Scotland, the latter initially all casualties but later limited to Scots related. TheGenealogist, a pay website, as part of its Diamond premium subscription, includes a database "Military and Casualty Lists"<ref>[https://www.thegenealogist.com/featuredarticles/2014/was-your-ancestor-wounded-in-the-First-World-War-155/ Was your ancestor wounded in the First World War?] thegenealogist.com</ref>, which appears to consist of Daily Lists transcribed from newspapers, together with Weekly Lists transcribed and with images, from British Library held original publications.,<ref> callowbrack et al. [http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=225762 daily casualty lists] ''Great War Forum'' 17 March 2015. Retrieved 27 December 2015.</ref> with data to April 1918. <ref>Drew1918. [http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=237835&p=2383526 The Genealogist] ''Great War Forum'' 1 April 1916. Retrieved 1 April 1916.</ref>
====Prisoners of War====
===== ICRC Archives=====
*[http://grandeguerre.icrc.org Prisoners of the First World War - ICRC Archives]. Free online records of the International Committee of the Red Cross. These records may be quite complex to search, and there are many helpful hints about searching on the Great War Forum.<ref>Evers, Maureen [http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/INDIA/2015-01/1421673008 Online WW1 Red Cross records (two free datasets)] ''Rootsweb India Mailing List'' 19 January 2015. Retrieved 20 January 2015</ref> Include soldiers of the Indian Army taken as POWs on the Western Front and sent to Germany.
*[https://www.icrc.org/eng/resources/icrc-archives/ ICRC Archives] in Geneva has records for the [[Second World War]].
=====Other=====
*[[Findmypast|findmypast]] includes a database "Prisoners Of War 1715-1945" (located in Armed forces & conflict/Regimental & service records) which appears to contain some records from FO 383, including some for Indian Army soldiers.
====1911 England and Wales Census====
British Army personnel in India, together with their families appeared for the first time in an England and Wales Census in 1911. [http://www.1911census.co.uk Search] the The 1911 census data, free to search, but a pay site to view data. Also Census is available on the pay site websites [http://www.ancestry.com [findmypast]], Ancestry.com] and perhaps other pay sites. This [http://wwwdiscovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/cataloguebrowse/r/h/browser.asp?CATLN=3&CATID=12183&GPE=False&DOWN=TRUE&MARKER=37579000&MARKERSCN C90811 National Archives] catalogue entry shows the regiments that were included in the 1911 Census. The items (17 in total) are RG 14/34978-34992, 34995, 34997. However, it is probable there were other regiments in India at this time. The census was taken on the night of Sunday 2 April, 1911. Note however, there are is at least one known instance of a soldier and his family known to be in the British Army in India at the time of the census, whose names do not appeat in the census, another indication that the data may not be complete. The 1911 Census also includes similar information for
other British Army overseas bases, and returns from ships of the Royal Navy at sea and in ports abroad.
====[[National Army Museum]]====
The National Army Museum's website includes the following Information Sheets which also refer to sources at other institutions
Generally arranged by Electoral District. Mainly contain military personnel, but also men and women who were engaged in war-related work who were still living away from home. Sources are major libraries and record offices nearest to the place in question. Some of these records are available online. The [[London Metropolitan Archives]] holds some AVLs to 1939.<ref>[https://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/things-to-do/london-metropolitan-archives/visitor-information/Documents/10-electoral-registers-at-london-metropolitan-archives.pdf Electoral registers at London Metropolitan Archives: Information Leaflet Number 10]</ref>, however it appears that information such as a serviceman’s rank, unit and number, only appeared initially for a few years.<ref>[http://search.findmypast.co.uk/search-world-Records/britain-absent-voters-lists-1918-1921 Scroll to Discover more about these records] findmypast</ref> Note however these lists appear to have contained some errors when first compiled.<ref>Reeves, Terry. [http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=234798&p=2362732 Compilation of Absent Voters Lists] ''Great War Forum'' 6 February 2016. Retrieved 6 February 2016.</ref>
*[http://mlfhs.org.uk/guides/researching_absent_voters.pdf Absent Voter Lists]. Guide by Manchester & Lancashire Family History Society. May 2015
*[http://www.1914longlongtrail.co.uk/soldiers/how-to-research-1918.neta-soldier/finding-soldiers-through-the-1918-absent-voters-lists/avl.html Finding soldiers through the 1918 Absent Voters Lists] 1914-1918longlongtrail.co.netuk
In October 2015, [[Findmypast|findmypast]] introduced a database "Britain, Absent Voters Lists 1918-1921" (located in Census, Land & Surveys/Electoral Rolls), based on records from the British Library. The coverage is set out in [http://www.findmypast.co.uk/articles/britain-absent-voters-constituency-list?_ga=1.75209553.2135388719.1444195952 Britain, Absent Voters Constituency List]. Data additional to the initial release is expected to be added. There is also a stand alone "Kent, Bromley Absent Voters List 1918". In July 2016 an associated dataset"Britain, Absent Voters Lists 1918-1921 Browse" was introduced to enable browsing through the records.
Ancestry currently (December 2015) contains one database, Birmingham, [[British Army#Miscellaneous online sources|see below]].
**[[Newspapers]]
**[[Subscription websites-online newspapers, journals and directories]]
:A number of newspapers in the United Kingdom from 1824 into the 1860s contained a Monthly Military Obituary, being a list of names of officers. Includes deaths overseas or in transit (for example on board ship). Available in online newspaper collections including [[findmypast]].<ref>Clark, Noel. [http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/INDIA/2016-03/1458986087 The "Monthly Military Obituary"] Rootsweb India Mailing List 26 March 2016. Retrieved 26 March 2016.</ref>
====Miscellaneous online sources====
***"Silver War Badge Roll 1914-1920" Transcriptions only, no images.
***"Royal Naval Division Records 1914-1919" and "Royal Naval Division Service Records 1914-1920". The Royal Naval Division transferred from the authority of the Admiralty to the War Office on 29 April 1916.
***Databases based on the publications ''The Bond of Sacrifice; a Biographical Record of all British officers who fell in the Great War'' (2 Volumes), ''Soldiers Died in the Great War 1914-19'' (80 Volumes, HMSO) and "Officers Died in the Great War 1914-19" (the latter two, one database), and ''The Roll of Honour. A biographical record of all members of His Majesty's naval and military forces who have fallen in the war'' by the Marquis De Ruvigny (5 Volumes). Databases 2 and 3 are also available on Ancestry.
***"British Jewry Book Of Honour, 1914-1920"
***"British Army, Deserters and Absentees In Police Gazette 1914-1919" . Selected dates only, not a complete range.<ref>Stewart, Graham. [http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=230741&p=2296337 New on Findmypast - Deserters and Absentees, Police Gazette, 1914-1919] ''Great War Forum'' 15 August 2015. Retrieved 15 August 2015</ref>
**Includes a database "British Army Schoolchildren and Schoolmasters 1803-1932" (located in Education & work/Schools & education)
*[http://search.ancestry.co.uk/search/CardCatalog.aspx Ancestry Card Catalogue of all Record Databases] (located as an option under the Search tab). Select the Military filter on the left hand side of the page. Some datasets may unexpectedly provide information relating to India. A researcher, who found some relevant records, found the title of "Canada, British Regimental Registers of Service, 1756-1900", to be misleading, as they are actually records of enlistment and any subsequent notable events, based on WO 25 records for a selection of regiments. <ref> Email to User:Maureene 15-16 April 2016.</ref> Also see comments under findmypast.:Also includes a database for Birmingham, and some of north Warwickshire, Absent Voters Lists (located in Census & Electoral Rolls/Midlands, England, Electoral Registers, 1832-1955). There are many electoral registers (but not currently Absent Voters Lists}, details of which may be found by entering the keyword electoral in the Card Catalogue Search.
*Forces War Records, a pay website, includes the database "Military Hospitals Admissions and Discharge Registers WW1 Collection",<ref> [https://www.forces-war-records.co.uk/military-hospital-records Search the Military Hospitals Admissions and Discharge Registers WW1 Collection] and [http://www.forces-war-records.co.uk/blog/2014/11/12/mh106-the-challenges-of-making-these-wwi-medical-records-available-online? Article about the digitisation] forces-war-records.co.uk</ref> taken from TNA records [http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C10949 MH 106: War Office: First World War Representative Medical Records of Servicemen]. It is possible that the FWR database is only a selection of records from MH 106, which in turn is only a sample.<ref>TEW [http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=234729&p=2345354 Military Hospitals Admission and Discharge Register: Forces War Record] ''Great War Forum'' 25 December 2015. Retrieved 27 December 2015.</ref>
Note however that some records may not have survived, such as some records for those who were awarded a disability pension,<ref>
JeffH01 [http://boards.ancestry.com.au/topics.Military.uk.britarmy/2537.2.3/mb.ashxJohn ashx John Henry James Fairbrother (Harry)] ''Rootsweb British Army Message Board'' 21 March 2015. Retrieved 22 March 2015</ref> or due to 'weeding'.
The service records of Army personnel serving after these dates remain closed to the public. To obtain details from such records you will often have to prove kinship. Charges may apply. Application forms should be sent to
:He went on to serve with the [[16th Lancers]] in the [[Gwalior Campaign]] and the [[1st Sikh War]], and with the [[9th (The Queen's Royal) Lancers|9th Lancers]] in the [[2nd Sikh War]].<br>
:He resigned in 1853 having spent 20 years in the British Army, all in India. However, his years as a Boy were not counted as years of service, so he was not entitled to any pension.
*Sylvia Murphy, "Walter Williams, A Private Soldier in India 1878 to 1888 (Part 1)" ''FIBIS Journal Number 35 (Spring 2016)'', pages 31-38. For details of how to access this article, see [[FIBIS Journals]]
== Conditions and activities==
*[[Medals]]
*[[Military periodicals online]]
*[[Prince Consort's Library]], the military specialist library of the Army Library Service.
*[[Temperance organisations]]
*[[Trooping season]] including information about Troopships and conditions of troops sailing to India.
*[http://www.armymuseums.org.uk/index.htm Army Museums Ogilby Trust] provides information about regimental museums. There is also a “book search” which lists books about the various regiments. Also includes
**[http://www.armymuseums.org.uk/ancestor.htm Ancestor Research & Military Genealogy]
:[https://www.gov.uk/search-local-archives Locate a local archives] England and Wales only. gov.uk. Some regimental archives are located in local archives, not at the regimental museum.
*[http://www.britishmedals.us/kevin/intro.html The Asplin Military History Resources], about British Army history in the Victorian era, includes pages relevant to the British Army in India.
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20131117052045/http://www.hargreave-mawson.demon.co.uk/46thmen.html 46th Foot.com] includes a detailed account of the 1834 attestation of a private, Frederick Crosland.
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20111130053326/http://orbat.com/site/history/1900-38/index.html Historical Orders of Battle and TOEs 1900-1938]. Includes British Army and Indian Army. orbat.com, now archived.
:[https://web.archive.org/web/20080831052956/http://orbat.com/site/history/1939-45/index.html Historical Orders of Battle and TOEs 1939-1945], Includes British Army and Indian Army. orbat.com, now archived.
*Army Service Numbers
**[http://www.samrainc.org/Pdf/Whats%20In%20a%20Number.pdf "What’s In A Number? The Personal Numbering System of the Australian Army"] by 2151240 Graham Wilson. Scroll to the section titled "Background – The British Experience".
*[http://www.ceylondatabase.net/military.html International Ceylon Database: Military] from Kyle Joustra’s [http://www.ceylondatabase.net/Genealogy.html website]. Includes lists of names by regiment.
*[http://www.soldiersofthequeen.com/India.html Soldiers of the Queen: The Jewel in the Crown]. Photographs of soldiers in India, Ceylon,The North-West Frontier Afghanistan. Includes [http://www.soldiersofthequeen.com/India-TwoPrivatesaServantaDogandaMonkey.html Two Privates with a servant and pets], [http://www.soldiersofthequeen.com/india-SergeantEdgarJobEvansandWife.html Sergeant E. J. Evans in the tropical version of his regimental "Mess Dress" uniform, with wife], [http://www.soldiersofthequeen.com/India-ArtillerySergeantandFamily.html Artillery Sergeant and family c 1900]
*Uniform items: [http://www.militarysunhelmets.com/2012/british-puggarees-2-3-4-and-6-folds "British Puggarees 2, 3, 4 and 6 Folds"] by Stuart Bates. May 22, 2012. [http://www.militarysunhelmets.com/2012/helmet-flashes-in-the-british-army "Helmet Flashes in the British Army"] by Benny Bough July 30, 2012. Includes details of two series of reference articles by John Mollo, and by Ron Kidd in ''The Formation Sign'', ''Journal of [http://www.militaryheraldrysociety.com/journal.html The Military Heraldry Society]''. Alternative terminology is tactical recognition flash, or pagri (puggaree) badge, Foreign Service Helmet (F S H) badge, or formation badge. [http://www.militarysunhelmets.com/2012/british-army-spine-pads "British Army Spine Pads"] by Stuart Bates , April 27, 2012 militarysunhelmets.com. [http://www.nam.ac.uk/online-collection/detail.php?acc=1965-07-45-4 Photograph: Wolseley helmet. Prince of Wales's Leinster Regiment (Royal Canadians)], 1916 (c). National Army Museum
:[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puttee Puttee] Wikipedia. [http://smnmcshannon.hubpages.com/hub/World-One-War-Puttees-and-How-to-Wrap-Them "Puttees and How to Wrap Them"] May 31, 2011. The alternative herringbone style for putting on putties, using the principles of reverse spiral or looped bandaging<ref>[https://archive.org/stream/practicalmanualo00fitzuoft#page/42/mode/2up/search/puttees Page 42] ''A Practical Manual of Bandaging'' by Duncan C L Fitzwilliams Capt. RAMCT 1915 Archive.org.</ref> may be seen [http://www.medalofkar.com/medalofhonour/index.php/component/k2/item/24-uniforms-equipment-kar here] (scroll to first puttees image and click to enlarge) medalofkar.com. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ur3seXl8-14&ebc=ANyPxKoYqIFsW3HfcmuX9Nij_I3LA3LJTGaeGaGaEwS8sYJqj1SGgRg6Q5WDq0NRl-F3uu_DpTn_Q_CkHNSPqjYT8yA1mY-29w How to wrap puttees, with crossing turns] by James Heath. YouTube video.
*[http://www.archhistory.co.uk/taca/home.html The Army Children Archive (TACA)] contains information about children and wives, with themes such as [http://www.archhistory.co.uk/taca/accomm.html Accommodation] and [http://www.archhistory.co.uk/taca/move.html On the Move]. [http://www.archhistory.co.uk/taca/history.html History Matters] (scroll down) gives details of the enlistment of an orphan boy age five,the son of a soldier, as a drummer in 1786. There are references to India in a number of the themes. [http://www.archhistory.co.uk/taca/accompicsind.html Accommodation Album: India]
*[http://www.warof1812.ca/family.htm "A Soldier's Family in the British Army
during the War of 1812"]
by Robert Henderson warof1812.ca
*[http://www.victorianforts.co.uk/tommyatkins.htm Tommy Atkins]. A series of five articles including [http://www.victorianforts.co.uk/flipbook/atkinsdomestic/atkinsdomestic.html "The Domestic Life of Tommy Atkins"], [http://www.victorianforts.co.uk/flipbook/atkinsmarried/atkinsmarried.html "Tommy Atkins Married"], about aspects of life in the Army in the late Victorian period.<ref> Originally published in ''The Redan'', journal of The Palmerston Forts Society, three articles by Duncan Williams , (originally published in 1999-2001 (issues 46, 50, 53)) and two articles by David Moore (issues 72,74). From the website [http://www.victorianforts.co.uk/index.htm Victorian Forts and Artillery].</ref> These articles in turn include quotes from a series of articles which appeared in ''Navy and Army Illustrated'' commencing in June 1898 which gave insight into the life of an ordinary soldier.
*[http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/09612020000200233 "‘Delicate duties’: issues of class and respectability in government policy towards the wives and widows of British soldiers in the era of the great war"] by Janis Lomas ''Women's History Review'', 9:1, 2000 pages 123-147. For rank and file soldiers, “on the strength” widows pensions applied from 1901, and “off the strength” widows pensions applied from the beginning of the First World War.
*History of the British Army Vol II by J W Fortescue [http://archive.org/stream/historyofbritish02fortuoft#page/170/mode/2up First British troops to land in India p 171]
*The National Archives [http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/podcasts podcasts] have a [http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/podcasts/military-history.htm military history] category including
**[http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/podcasts/sahib.htm Sahib, the British soldier in India, 1750 – 1914] by Professor Richard Holmes
*Recruiting regions of Irish infantry regiments in the British Army from 1881 until 1922. A list of regiments, depots, counties together with a map. Select page 5 of this the document in [httphttps://docsaran.google.com/viewer?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwwwlibrary.nuigalway.ie%2Fgeography%2Fdocuments%2FHeritage-Chapter.pdf /handle/10379/5134 this link] docs.google version] or [httphttps://wwwaran.library.nuigalway.ie/geographybitstream/documentshandle/Heritage-Chapter10379/5134/Ireland%27s_Heritages_Chapter.pdf ?sequence=6&isAllowed=y pdf]<ref>[httphttps://docs.googlearan.com/viewer?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwwwlibrary.nuigalway.ie%2Fgeography%2Fdocuments%2FHeritage-Chapter.pdf /handle/10379/5134 "A Lost Heritage: The Connaught Rangers and Multivocal Irishness"] (docs.google version) by John Morrissey, 2005 , Chapter 3 of ''Ireland’s Heritages: Critical Perspectives on Memory and Identity'' edited by M Mc Carthy 2005. Website: Geography Dept, National University of Ireland, Galway. [httphttps://wwwaran.library.nuigalway.ie/geographybitstream/handle/documents10379/Heritage-Chapter5134/Ireland%27s_Heritages_Chapter.pdf original ?sequence=6&isAllowed=y pdf]Website: ARAN, National University of Ireland, Galway. </ref>
*"Information Document on the Irish Regiments of the British Army up to 31st July 1922". Irish Military Archives Dublin [http://docs.google.com/viewer?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.militaryarchives.ie%2Ffileadmin%2Fuser_upload%2Fdocuments%2FInformation_Document_on_Irish_Regiments_of_the_British_Army.pdf docs.google version], [http://www.militaryarchives.ie/fileadmin/user_upload/documents/Information_Document_on_Irish_Regiments_of_the_British_Army.pdf original pdf]
*"Irish Soldiers in the British Army 1792-1922: Suborned or Subordinate?" by Peter Karsten ''Journal of Social History Volume 17 No. 1 (Autumn 1983)'' pages 31-64 [http://docs.google.com/viewer?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.reenactor.ru%2FARH%2FPDF%2FKarsten.pdf docs.google version] [http://www.reenactor.ru/ARH/PDF/Karsten.pdf original pdf]
**Relating to India: [http://www.archive.org/stream/historyofbritish02fortuoft#page/170/mode/2up Volume 2, page 167], [http://www.archive.org/stream/historyofbritish03fortuoft#page/48/mode/2up Volume 3 page 49], [http://www.archive.org/stream/historyofbritish04fortuoft#page/402/mode/2up Volume 4 page 402], [http://www.archive.org/stream/ahistorybritish00fortgoog#page/n137/mode/2up Volume 4, Part II, page 711], Volume 5, 1803 to 1807, includes detailed treatment of the situation and operations in the East Indies and Ceylon, [https://archive.org/stream/historyofbritis06fort#page/40/mode/2up Volume 6 page 40], [http://www.archive.org/stream/historyofbritis07fortuoft#page/n5/mode/2up Volume 7 page 563], Volume 11, 1815-1838, includes the War with Nepal, the Pindari War, the War in Ceylon and the War with Burma. Volume 12, 1839-52. This volume is mainly concerned with India, and covers operations in Afghanistan and on the Khyber Pass, together with internal security operations in India itself. Volume 13, 1852-1870, includes the Indian Mutiny.
*''British Battles on Land and Sea'' by James Grant. First published c 1873 [https://archive.org/details/cu31924091765655 Volume I: to 1743] [https://archive.org/details/cu31924091765663 Volume II: 1745-1826]. [https://archive.org/details/recentbritishba00grangoog ''Recent British Battles on Land and Sea''] [1875-1884] by James Grant 1884. Later called Volume IV. Archive.org
*[https://archive.org/details/afamiliarhistor00stocgoog ''A Familiar History of the British Army, from the Restoration in 1660 to the Present Time''] by J H Stocqueler 1871 Archive.org
*''Her Majesty's Army; a descriptive account of the various regiments now comprising the Queen's forces, from their first establishment to the present time'', by Walter Richards. First published 1887. Stated on the title page to be “In Four Divisions”, this appears to consist of Volumes I and II, each in two Parts. Although there are references to coloured illustrations, these appear to be missing in most of the digital files. [https://archive.org/details/hermajestysarmyd01richuoft Volume I: [Division I<nowiki>]</nowiki>] to page 176. [https://archive.org/details/hermajestysarmyd02richuoft Division II] pages 177-352. [https://archive.org/details/hermajestysarmyd03richuoft Division III] to page 176, Volume II. [https://archive.org/details/hermajestysarmyd04richuoft Division IV] pages 177-348. The last volume includes [https://archive.org/stream/hermajestysarmyd04richuoft#page/349/mode/1up Index], [https://archive.org/stream/hermajestysarmyd04richuoft#page/n186/mode/1up Contents Volume I], [https://archive.org/stream/hermajestysarmyd04richuoft#page/n193/mode/2up Contents: Volume II]. Alternative file: [http://hdl.handle.net/2027/uc1.c3113623?urlappend=%3Bseq=15 Volume II] (complete). Does contain Illustrations. Hathi Trust Digital Library. There is also another digital file available, titled [https://archive.org/details/hermajestysarmyd02rich Volume II] which appears to consist pages 241-352 of Volume I, together with [https://archive.org/stream/hermajestysarmyd02rich#page/n122/mode/1up Volume II page 1-128] This volume includes [https://archive.org/stream/hermajestysarmyd02rich#page/n57/mode/1up Illustration: The 68th – Durham Light Infantry]
*''The British Army and Auxiliary Forces'' by Colonel C. Cooper-King, late Professor of Tactics, Royal Military College 1893. [http://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/btv1b84273974/f11.image Volume I], [http://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/btv1b84274057/f13.image Volume II] With 132 Illustrations. Gallica gallica.bnf.fr. Catalogued with the subject category "costume militaire", military uniforms.
*[http://www.archive.org/stream/historyofscottis00murrrich#page/n5/mode/2up ''History of the Scottish regiments in the British Army''] by Arch. K. Murray 1862 Archive.org
*[http://www.archive.org/stream/historyofscotlan08browiala#page/n15/mode/2up ''The History of Scotland, its Highlands, Regiments and Clans, Volume VIII''] by James Browne 1909 Archive.org. This volume includes the regiments.
*[http://archive.org/stream/cu31924012890970#page/n7/mode/2up ''Social Life in the British Army''] by "A British Officer" Illustrated by R. Caton Woodville. 1899 Archive.org
**[http://archive.org/stream/cu31924012890970#page/n83/mode/2up The officer in India, page 55],[http://archive.org/stream/cu31924012890970#page/n137/mode/2up The soldier in India, page 94], [http://archive.org/stream/cu31924012890970#page/n119/mode/2up The soldier’s wife’s view of India, page 81]
*[https://archive.org/details/cihm_05361 ''Mr. Thomas Atkins''] by E J Hardy, Chaplain to the Forces.1900 [microform] Archive.org. Aspects of life in the Army
**[https://archive.org/stream/cihm_05361#page/407/mode/2up "Mrs Thomas Atkins"] page 370
*[https://archive.org/details/britisharmyfromw00vivirich ''The British Army from Within''] by E Charles Vivian 1914 Archive.org. Includes
**[https://archive.org/stream/britisharmyfromw00vivirich#page/24/mode/2up "The Way of the Recruit"] Chapter II, page 25.
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20150320013811/http://historyoffashiondesign.com/part-13-date-unknown-the-cutters-practical-guide-to-cutting-making-all-kinds-of-british-military-uniforms ''Part 13 The Cutter’s Practical Guide to Cutting & Making all kinds of British Military Uniforms'']. Pages from an undated publication, but known to be close to 1902.<ref>Frogsmile [http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=225848&p=2241295 Where can I buy a sewing pattern for officer's tunic?] ''Great War Forum'' 20 March 2015. Retrieved 20 March 2015</ref> Pages 2-4 are about rank badges, including those for NCOs, with illustrations. historyoffashiondesign.com, now an archived page.
*[https://archive.org/details/trumpetbuglesoun00ingl ''Trumpet and bugle sounds for the army: with instructions for the training of trumpeters and buglers''] HMSO 1914 Archive.org
**[http://gutenberg.net.au/ebooks13/1306081h.html#ch20 "The Buglers"] from ''Smithy Abroad: Barrack-Room Sketches'' by Edgar Wallace 1909 Project Gutenberg Australia
*[http://www.archive.org/stream/catalogueofbooks00cockrich#page/n1/mode/2up ''A catalogue of books relating to the military history of India''] drawn up by Maurice J.D. Cockle 1901 Archive.org
*''In Search of the "Forlorn Hope" : a comprehensive guide to locating British regiments and their records (1640-WWI)'' by John M. Kitzmiller, II, Volumes 1 and 2, may be [[Online books#Family History Books| read online]] at a [[FamilySearch Centres|FamilySearch Centre]] on a Family History Library computer.
*For general information about the British Army in India c 1924-1935, see [[Indian Army#Historical books online| Indian Army-Historical books online]], item ''Armaments Year-Book : General and Statistical Information''.
*[https://archive.org/stream/entericfeverinin00roberich#page/273/mode/1up List of Military Prisons in India 1900-1904] page 273 ''Enteric fever in India …etc'' by Ernest Roberts, Major Indian Medical Service 1906 Archive.org
*[http://digital.nls.uk/indiapapers/browse/pageturner.cfm?id=74905433&mode=transcription "List of Stations at which Military Family Hospitals are Authorized"] An Appendix from ''Regulations for the Medical Services of the Army of India 1930'' National Library of Scotland 'Medical History of British India' digital books.
