Enthusiasm for research into the part played by our ancestors in the
Second World War has never been greater. Fuelled by programs on
television and information available on the internet, we long to know
every detail, but where do we begin?
This book is designed
to help both the complete novice and the more experienced researcher to
find out what resources are available for those that were in World War
Two in the English forces,
as well as where and how they can be accessed. They include the
National Archives at Kew, the Imperial War Museum and Regimental
Museums.
The following topics are covered in detail:
- The British Army
- The Royal Navy
- The Merchant Marines
- Airmen and RAF Officers
- Civilians - Refugees, Bevin Boys, Conscientious Objectors
- British Commonwealth and Empire Forces
- European and American Allies and Enemies
Contents:
Introduction
1. Getting Started
- Where to start
- Identifying old photographs
- Background reading
- Where the records are
- Undertaking research
- Making use of your research
2. Common Sources
- Service records
- Medals and awards
- Casualties
- Prisoners of War
- Other sources
3. The British Army
- Service records
- Medals
- Army Roll of Honour
- Operational records
- Other sources
4. The Royal Navy
- Service records
- Medals
- Casualties and prisoners of war
- Operational records
- Other sources
5. The Merchant Marine
- Service records
- Medals
- Casualties and prisoners of war
- Operational records
6. Tracing Airmen and RAF Officers
- Service records
- Medals
- Casualties and prisoners of war
- Operational records
- Other sources
7. Civilians
- Aliens, refugees and internees
- Bevin Boys
- Civil defence
- Conscientious objectors
- Firemen
- Identity and ration cards
- Medals
- National Farm Survey
- Nurses and hospitals
- Police
- Women's Land Army
8. British Commonwealth and Empire Forces
- Common sources
- Australia
- Canada
- India
- Irish Free State
- New Zealand
- South Africa
- The Colonies
9. Allies and Enemies
- Belgium
- Czechoslovakia
- France
- Germany
- Italy
- Japan
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Poland
- Soviet Union (Russia)
- United States
Appendix 1: List of useful addresses
Appendix 2: Bibliography
Appendix 3: Codenames and abbreviations
Appendix 4: Statistics of the war
Index
Related Products:
Tracing Your Army Ancestors
