Changes

There are India Office records in the British Library, reference [http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/browse/r/h/30346e87-7f04-47dc-9c3f-6176d4596cba '''IOR L/MIL/14''']. The records include Indian Army Records of Service [http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/8104f4f4-178f-4c70-bdc4-ac5e570e256d '''IOR/L/MIL/14/239-72481'''] c 1901-1947. It appears unlikely that these records contain men in the Volunteer or [[Auxiliary Regiments]]. Previously the catalogue entry advised that the closure period for these files has been set at 75 years from the date of entry of the serviceman/woman into the service. The files are opened on an annual basis. On 1 January 2010, files relating to persons joining the service in 1934 were opened. However, this wording does not now appear. A complete alphabetical index to the opened files is now available on open access in the Asian & African Studies Reading Room at the [[British Library]] or it can be searched by name on [http://searcharchives.bl.uk/primo_library/libweb/action/search.do?vid=IAMS_VU2 British Library archive search]. '''Note''' <nowiki>*</nowiki>The majority of files date from the 1930s. '''<nowiki>*</nowiki>''' "It was the policy for a very long time that on retirement of a regular IA officer to give them their service record when they did retire, and in the case of officers died in service the papers were sent on to the family as a rememberence. That is why if you are researching a regular IA officer of the period say 1900 - 1930 the papers will '''not''' be there. After 1930 you get a selection of papers but not the full lot - these seem to be a mixed bag.<ref>Matthew B. [httphttps://1914-1918www.invisionzonegreatwarforum.com/forums/index.php?org/topic/97932-3rd-skinners-horse/&?do=findComment&comment=950005 3rd Skinner's Horse] ''Great War Forum'' 30 June 2008. Retrieved 13 March 2017December 2018.</ref> This policy is illustrated by a researcher who found a relative’s British Army, and Indian Army service records through to 1947, in an old family suitcase.<ref>ShirlD [httphttps://1914-1918www.invisionzonegreatwarforum.com/forums/index.php?org/topic/247349-indian-army-triviamiscellanea/&?do=findComment&comment=2494314 Indian Army TriviaMiscellanea] ''Great War Forum'' 14 February 2017. Retrieved 17 February 201713 December 2018.</ref> '''<nowiki>*</nowiki>'''It is not known whether the search facility only locates names where there is an open file.

Top officer cadets in both Australia and Canada could opt for service in the Indian Army. The Australians liked the cavalry and the Canadians liked the infantry.<ref>bushfighter [httphttps://1914-1918www.invisionzonegreatwarforum.comorg/topic/forums213939-indian-army-officers/index.php?showtopicdo=213939findComment&pcomment=2144952 Indian Army Officers] ''Great War Forum'' 25 August 2014. Retrieved 30 March 201613 December 2018.</ref>