If it is a war time service and you have her number or other identifying information, then Contact the Ministry of Defence to trace the service record of a direct relative by using this link: http://www.veterans-uk.info/service_records/service_records.html note was once http://www.veteransagency.mod.uk/service_records/service_records.html and may so still appear on several sites with the old wrong address... Here what you will see on the new page... Service records Requests from former Service personnel Requests from Interested parties Records of Deceased Personnel Where do I send my SAR form? What about records in the public domain? Access to personal data held by the MOD may be sought for many reasons, including: * proof of Service in HM Armed Forces * medical reasons * family history or research Requests from former Service personnel Requests from former Service personnel for his/her personal data held by the Ministry of Defence are processed in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998; such requests are called Subject Access Requests (SAR). A SAR must be made in writing and must be accompanied by proof of identity (e.g. a copy of a passport or recent utilities bill), and sufficient information to locate the data sought. To assist the search, your letter should include as much information as possible eg: * Service Number, Rank, Full Name, Date of Birth and period served (dates from and to). * Requests for data for ex-Army personnel must also include the Regiment or Corps. A full copy of the record can be requested however, original documents, discharge papers/books cannot be replaced. The MOD will also provide extracts from service records. Once all the necessary information has been received, your request will be processed and you should receive a reply within 40 calendar days. Requests from Interested parties Enquirers must provide a letter of consent, signed by the person to whom the records relate. Records of Deceased personnel Enquirers must provide the consent of the Next of Kin and unless the person died in Service, proof of death. A charge may be made for enquiries. Prior to 1972 all Royal Navy personnel were given their service record when they were discharged. For pension purposes the Royal Navy retained pay details. Therefore the only data held on Royal Navy personnel who served prior to 1972 is their Service details (number, rank, name etc) and a list of dates and ships/shore bases. Certificate of Kinship Information from the personal record of a deceased Ex-serviceman/woman can be released only with the consent of the official Next of Kin. The form aims to identify whose consent is required and the data you provide will be used only in connection with your enquiry. The form is retained for 2 years should you have subsequent queries. To download the Certificate of Kinship form and Search Document for the Army please click on the Army link below. For the Royal Navy, please click here and for the Royal Air Force, please click here. Where do I send my SAR form? Personnel records are stored at archives and repositories throughout the UK. Additionally there are also Subject Access Request Co-ordinators for each Service. You must send the completed SAR form to the relevant address. Click any of the links below to access the postal address you require. Royal Navy Army Royal Air Force Non Uk What about records in the public domain? The following personnel Service records have been transferred to the National Archive (formerly the Public Record Office) and are available for public access. * Royal Navy Officers commissioned prior to 1914 * Royal Navy Ratings who enlisted prior to 1924 and First World War records for the Women's Royal Naval Service * Royal Marine Officers commissioned prior to 1926 * Royal Marine Other Ranks that enlisted prior to 1926 * Army Officers commissioned prior to 1920 * Army Other Ranks that enlisted prior to 1920 * Royal Air Force Officers that served prior to 1922 * Royal Air Force Airmen that served prior to 1924 Service records which pre-date those held by the MOD have been transferred to the National Archive and are freely available for public access. However the National Archives is not resourced to carry out searches. Enquirers are instead welcome to visit, or hire an independent researcher - see the National Archive website for further details. I am still unsure of what to do, who can help? If you have any other queries about service records or are not sure about which office to write to please contact the Veterans Free Helpline For information on historical records please see our links page.

Hi I am writing to the list to see if anyone can suggest the way forward with the following query: My gggg grandfather who was born and died in Hampshire served as a corporal with the 7th Hussars (Queens Own Regiment)in Spain during the Peninsular War. He was captured and imprisoned in France in 1809 for 5 years. I have his discharge certificate but was wondering if the French Government would have records about his captivity and release in the French Archives? I did try and search the Archives but of course they are in French which makes it difficult if one does not speak or read French. Would the British Government have records of British soldiers imprisoned by the French? Is it worthwhile searching newspapers to see if his name is mentioned? Any suggestions of how I can find out more would be very grateful! Claire Canberra, Australia