Are there any online databases I can search myself?
Yes. Several sources offer searchable WWII databases, including:
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Yes. Several sources offer searchable WWII databases, including:
Read More -
“Absolutely. We’re here to offer thoughtful guidance in meaningful areas and help you understand how our website can support you in honoring and remembering your loved ones.”
Within our organised categories, we provide a dignified and permanent place to create and preserve a remembrance page in honour of your relative or loved one.
Step by Step Guide Here.
If you have a relatives logbook we can assist you with digital preservation options, knowledge on how to read and understand the abbreviations written on the pages, further research can be done and provided regarding squadron histories and more. Please feel free to get in contact with us with your request.
Times vary depending on the archive’s workload. Traditionally it can take several weeks to a few months. If you’re in a hurry, check if any parts of the record are already digitised or available online.
Store them in acid-free folders, avoid sunlight, and handle them carefully. Digitising them is also a great way to preserve the information for future generations and share it with family members. We can help you with Digitising originals, please contact us regarding this.
Yes. Service numbers are helpful but not essential. Many archives allow searches using name, date of birth, or regiment/unit information. The more clues you have, the easier it becomes.
We provide various tools in our Supporters Community Hub that will provide you with the opportunity to add the personal touch and connection that we hope will appeal to many of you who may wish to contribute.
Uploading your stories and photos couldn’t be easier. Read more….
Unit war diaries for WWII are usually held by the National Archives. These diaries document daily movements, operations, and events within the unit. They won’t mention your relative by name unless they were an officer or involved in a significant event.
You can search for Navy service records, ship logs, and operational records through the National Archives. If you know the ship’s name, that greatly helps—ship logs provide a detailed daily record of operations, weather, and crew activities.
You’ll need as much basic information as possible: full name, date of birth, approximate service years, branch of service (Army, Navy, RAF, etc.), and any service numbers if known. Even partial details can help narrow down the search.
Service records often contain enlistment details, postings, promotions, injuries, medals awarded, disciplinary notes, and discharge information. For aircrew, you may also find summaries of missions, training results, and movement orders.
In most cases, service records for British WWII personnel are held by the UK Ministry of Defence or the National Archives. You may need to submit an application form and provide proof of death. Some records are also being transferred to the National Archives as they are digitised.
Frequently Used Sources used in Support and illustration of Society Remembrance site pages
Organisations :
I.W.M. (Imperial War Museum) C.W.G.C. (Commonwealth War Graves Commission) P.R.O. (Public Records Office) (National Archives) N.A.A. (National Archives of Australia) The Air Forces Memorial Runnymede Panels (WW2Talk) Chilton Aircraft Preservation Society Archives (David King & Alexander D King) Booker Aircraft Museum Archives, (David King & Alexander D King) Aircrew Remembrance Society Archives
Publications, Authors, Records, Reference works, Press & Press Photography :
Bomber Command Losses (W.R. Chorley All Volumes) Fighter Command Losses (Norman L. R. Franks All Volumes) Air-Britain Serials, Individual Aircraft Files & Publications, Ai-Britain, Fleet Air Arm Aircraft 1939-1945 (Ray Sturtivant, I.S.O. with Mick Burrow) After The Battle Publications The Blitz Then And Now Volumes 1,2 & 3, The Battle Of Britain Then And Now, The Battle Of France Then and Now, (Editor Winston G. Ramsey, Assistant Editor Gordon Ramsey) Bomber Losses Middle East & Mediterranean (David Gunby & Pelham Temple) Coastal Command Losses (Ross McNeill,) The Nuremberg Raid (Martin Middlebrook), The Source Book (Ken Delve) Mighty Eighth war Diary (Roger A. Freeman) The B-17 Flying Fortress Story (Roger A. Freeman) Daily Telegraph (Harry Flower War Correspondent), Kent Messenger, Planet News, Fox Photos,
Aviation Artist & Profile Illustrators:
Robert Taylor, Mark Postlethwaite, Adam Tooby, Robert Tomlin, Simon Atack, Roy Grinnell, Gerald Coulson, Nicolas Trudgian, Keith Aspinall, Iain Wyllie, Ivan Berryman, Darryl Legg
Individual contributors & Historians:
We at the Society strongly encourage proper crediting of all materials used on our pages. This includes clearly acknowledging both the creators and the original sources.
If you discover any of your work featured without appropriate credit, please contact us immediately — we are committed to resolving such issues promptly and respectfully.
Projects Archive
The People’s War History Group.
The British Library is preserving this site for the future in the UK Web Archive at www.webarchive.org.uk All site sections are subsequently recorded as part of our nation’s history and heritage at The British Library.