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WWI soldier records placed online WWI soldiers' records go online
(about 2 hours later)
The National Archives has placed details of soldiers who served in World War I on the internet. Service and pension records for more than two million soldiers who fought in the British army in World War I are being put online for the first time.
The move, in partnership with ancestry.co.uk, marks the first stage of a resource for about 2.5m British soldiers who served from 1914 to 1920. The documents provide a broad range of detail, from name and next of kin to wounds suffered and conduct record.
Vital details for family history researchers, military enthusiasts and family members will be provided. The release by the Ancestry website, working in partnership with the National Archives, is taking place in stages over the next two years.
About 60% of the service records for the 5m WWI soldiers in the UK and Ireland were destroyed in World War II. The images are available to view on a subscription or pay-per-view basis.
Original images All the records are already viewable on 28,000 rolls of microfilm at the National Archives in west London, but it is hoped the digitisation process will make them available to a much wider audience.
This occurred during a German bombing raid on the War Office in London in September 1940. The National Archives described the online release as "tremendously significant" and said it would lead to a better understanding for military historians as well as help those researching their family trees.
The originals for all surviving records, many of which were badly damaged during the bombing raid, have been conserved by the National Archives. First tranche
These comprise the two collections to be made available online for the first time. Although five million soldiers from England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland fought in World War I, about 60% of the service records were destroyed in a German bombing raid in 1940.
The records are fully indexed and include original images. The surviving records, many badly damaged and known as the "burnt documents", were conserved by the National Archives and filmed.
Although the collections vary in detail, those searching for details will be able to discover key information, including physical description, regimental number, service history and promotions. The pension record details for about 100,000 soldiers are the first to go online.
RECORDS RELEASE 1.5m names in existing service records1m names in pension recordsAbout 60% of service records destroyed
These relate to some of those men discharged on account of sickness or injuries sustained and include the medical records relating to the disability for which a pension was granted.
The service records, which will follow, describe the careers of soldiers who completed their service, were killed in action, executed or died of their wounds or disease, and provide full details of their service, and, where recorded, death.
The number of documents relating to a soldier varies according to their circumstances, but in some cases there are scores, including items of correspondence.