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Find My Past Adds More Than 200,000 New Military Records Covering the British Army, Royal Navy, Royal Marines and More

3 Jun 2022 9:32 AM | Anonymous

The following announcement was written by Find My Past:

With two brand new record sets and substantial additions to two other military collections, there's so much to uncover this Findmypast Friday.

British Army, Recommendations For Military Honours and Awards 1935-1990

This fascinating collection from The National Archives includes nearly 80,000 records. The transcripts include British Army personnel and some dominions armies' personnel. They also contain some recommendations for members of the Royal Navy, Royal Air Force and Royal Marines. Reasons for recommendations vary, including gallantry in the face of the enemy, 'meritorious service' (not in the face of the enemy), or distinguished service. Covering the years in the lead up to World War 2 and beyond, the records reveal soldiers’ names, units, ranks, home addresses, and often poignant descriptions of the actions that warrant an award.

South Africa, Local Armed Forces Nominal Rolls, 1899-1902

Another entirely new collection from The National Archives, this series comprises over 53,000 records detailing some of the British Army units raised locally in South Africa during the Second Boer War. These local units mainly consisted of British men who had emigrated to South Africa before the war. The record transcripts feature names, ranks, army units and in many cases, enrolment and discharge dates.

Britain, Campaign, Gallantry & Long Service Medals & Awards

Findmypast has added over 51,000 new records to this collection, which details those that showed strength and courage in the face of war.

Specifically, these latest additions cover recipients of:

    • Long Service Good Conduct Medal
    • India General Service Medal Pegu (Army) 1852-53
    • India General Service Medal Pegu (Navy) 1852-53

These records have been collated from multiple sources, including The National Archives and the British Library, but also from musters, pay lists, and other service records. As a result, each record varies in its information but usually includes a combination of regiment and rank, reason for award, any other known medals, discharge date and more.

British Royal Navy & Royal Marines Service and Pension Records, 1704-1919

Findmypast has added over 19,000 more records to this collection, including a shore list of men who joined the Royal Marines in 1810. The records reveal the rank and division of the seafaring servicemen, as well as the date they joined and any remarks made by their superior. 

Newspapers 

In case you missed our announcement, Findmypast has made their entire newspaper archive free until 6 June to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee. Their latest releases are included in the free access promotion, including:

New titles: 

    • Eastleigh Weekly News and Hants Gazette, 1895-1900
    • St Neots Town Crier, 1994
    • Stockport Times, 1989

Updated titles: 

    • Abergele & Pensarn Visitor, 1990
    • Accrington Observer and Times, 1912, 1990
    • Alderley & Wilmslow Advertiser, 1946
    • Aldershot News, 1978-1979
    • Anfield & Walton Star, 1992
    • Ashby Mail, 1992
    • Bebington News, 1991
    • Billingham & Norton Advertiser, 1992
    • Birkenhead News, 1991
    • Birmingham Journal, 1839
    • Burton Daily Mail, 1997
    • Cambridge Town Crier, 1992
    • Cheltenham Chronicle, 1860
    • Crewe Chronicle, 1980, 1994-1995
    • Daily Record, 1988, 1994
    • Dorking and Leatherhead Advertiser, 1986
    • East Grinstead Observer, 1991
    • East Kilbride News, 1995
    • East Kilbride World, 1991, 1993
    • Galloway News and Kirkcudbrightshire Advertiser, 1991
    • Gateshead Post, 1994
    • Glamorgan Gazette, 1984
    • Heartland Evening News, 1998
    • Herald Cymraeg, 1952
    • Herald of Wales, 1950
    • Hertford Mercury and Reformer, 1981
    • Herts and Essex Observer, 1980
    • Hinckley Times, 1993, 1998
    • Hoddesdon and Broxbourne Mercury, 1993-1994, 1998
    • Horley & Gatwick Mirror, 1992
    • Huddersfield Daily Examiner, 1993, 1995
    • Huntingdon Town Crier, 1987, 1989, 1996
    • Ilfracombe Chronicle, 1891-1892
    • Ilkeston Express, 1989, 1992
    • Kensington News and West London Times, 1937, 1951, 1964, 1968,
    • Long Eaton Advertiser, 1988, 1994
    • Loughborough Echo, 1912
    • Loughborough Mail, 1990, 1994
    • Macclesfield Express, 1989, 1998
    • Maghull & Aintree Star, 1991
    • Merthyr Express, 1990
    • Middlesex County Times, 1995, 1998
    • Midweek Visiter (Southport), 1995
    • Nantwich Chronicle, 1993-1994
    • Northampton Herald & Post, 1991
    • Nottingham Evening Post, 1994
    • Nottingham Guardian, 1872
    • Nottingham Recorder, 1996
    • Oldham Advertiser, 1992
    • Ormskirk Advertiser, 1876, 1894
    • Perthshire Advertiser, 1919
    • Peterborough Standard, 1986
    • Port Talbot Guardian, 1981-1982, 1984-1985, 1995
    • Rhondda Leader, 1987
    • Ripley Express, 1992
    • Rossendale Free Press, 1987
    • Rugeley Mercury, 1988, 1990, 1992
    • Runcorn & Widnes Herald & Post, 1989-1990, 1993
    • Sevenoaks Focus, 1992
    • Solihull News, 1994-1997
    • Solihull Times, 1994-1996, 1998
    • Somerset Standard, 1980
    • Southall Gazette, 1979, 1995, 1998
    • Southport Visiter, 1989
    • Stafford Post, 1989, 1991
    • Staines Informer, 1988, 1990
    • Stanmore Observer, 1987-1988, 1990
    • Stirling Observer, 1989
    • Stockport Advertiser and Guardian, 1877
    • Stockport Express Advertiser, 1992
    • Stockton & Billingham Herald & Post, 1989
    • Tamworth Herald, 1989, 1997
    • Taunton Courier, and Western Advertiser, 1884
    • The People, 1998
    • Uttoxeter New Era, 1887
    • Wellingborough & Rushden Herald & Post, 1989, 1992
    • West Surrey Times, 1873, 1912
    • Western Evening Herald, 1993
    • Westminster & Pimlico News, 1998
    • Winsford Chronicle, 1996-1997

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