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The National Archives holds British soldiers' documents from 1660 to 1921 including WW1 officers' records provided the officer left the service before 1922. All military records include details of Scottish, Irish, Welsh and English Regiments. In military searches, if a soldier's discharge papers are in place it will usually show most of the information below. However, the earlier the record, the less genealogical information it will contain: Name, age and place of birth Trade or calling Dates of enlistment and discharge Regiment and where he served Marriage details and details of any children born to the soldier whilst in service Details of any campaigns, wounds, and medals An assessment of his conduct on discharge If the discharge was for medical reasons, then details will be given Pension records are also available for those who were discharged as a result of sickness or long service. Up to 1875 the date of death will usually also be noted in the pension records. After 1882, his next of kin might initially be his parents which may change to his wife if he marries. Usually a home address will be given. The reconstruction of his career from the muster rolls is slow and painstaking and is usually less informative than the personal records. Information in the muster roles is predominantly service orientated. We are experienced in researching these records. Ask us for an obligation free quote for your project. For an example of 18th century military muster rolls see this link to one of our client's web pages (about half way down page for images of documents copied by us). Thanks to Helen Whyte for this link. Operational Records We are also able to research Army Operations from 1660 to 1914, (predominantly correspondence with the central departments about land forces), and during WW1 and WW2. Also available, are registers, returns and records of military courts martial. For details of our fees for these searches please see History Projects.
Bob O'Hara and Becky Langton being interviewed by Mac TV following their research into the tragic death of Major General Hector McDonald in 1903.
Bob has also greatly assisted American author, Brian Garfield, in tracking down information for his book - The Meinertzhagen Mystery. Col. Richard Meinertzhagen (1878 - 1967) was an acclaimed British war hero, secret agent and dean of ornithology. He was trusted by Winston Churchill, David Lloyd George, Chaim Weizmann, David Ben Gurion, T. E. Lawrence, Elspeth Huxley, and a great many others. He fooled them all. Meinertzhagen was a fraud. He distorted military history and committed a half-century of major and costly scientific fraud. "The Meinertzhagen Mystery" shows how recorded history reflects not what happened, but what we believe happened. Author Brian Garfield said, in an email to Bob O'Hara: "I couldn't have written the Meinertzhagen book without your discoveries. That's a fact, literally and without exaggeration. For one, you found the Arthur Neate diary, which was the key to the puzzle: it proves the falsehood of Meinertzhagen's main claim to fame, the 'haversack ruse'. You have been steadfast in the labyrinths of the Public Records Office at Kew and in other British archives. Time and again, you went prowling on your own and discovered great troves of previously hidden information. You gave me sine qua non assistance throughout the long quest." Still not sure where to start? See this page for assistance with determining Research Priorities and for Tips on How to Hire a Researcher. Kindest regards Bob R W O'HARA 15 Ruskin Avenue Kew, Richmond TW9 4DR England Return to Home Page
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