War Memorial Research References

Here may be found the sources of information that have been used to write these stories.

It was decided not to include detailed references on each page as it was felt that this would be a distraction from the reading of each man’s service. In order that each record should be as accurate as possible all research has been done from primary source material. So far as we are aware everything is copyright free.

Generally for each man there is a brief family introduction. This is followed by as much information about his war service as it has been possible to find, plus some general service information. Assume all men were privates unless stated otherwise. Medal entitlements and inclusion on War Memorials or Rolls of Honour are shown, where it is known.

Below is a general list of the resources used for research for both World Wars. However, this will vary with each man.

It is perhaps worth pointing out that due to the relatively recent nature of the records, service records from all forces are not freely available for WW2 veterans. Family members can apply to the relevant authority for their relative’s personal record.

Family information

Census returns and enumeration books for 1881, 1891, 1901, 1911

1939 register

Original Parish Registers for Birth, Marriage and Deaths – locations as listed in the text

Civil Registration for Births Marriages and Death – locations as listed in the text

Workhouse records

Admission records to Mental Institutions

Court records

Immigration and Emigration papers and related ships manifests

LBSCR and other railway employment records

Post Office employment records

School admission papers/log books

Wills and Probate

City and Local Directories

Sussex Agricultural Express and other local papers, including Australian and Canadian papers

Lewes Publicans licensing records

Trade Union Membership papers

Service information:

General

Commonwealth War Graves Commission records

War Memorial records

London and Edinburgh Gazette

De Ruvigny’s Roll of Honour

Army

Army service papers – Boer, WW1 and Yeomanry records, also Australian Infantry papers

Medal Rolls

Medal Roll Index Cards

Awards and Decorations Rolls

Silver War Badge records

Battalion war diaries

Battalion/Regimental official war histories

Regimental Rolls of Honour

Army service numbers database

WW1 army medical records

Army casualty lists (both wars)

WW2 Prisoner of War records

Army pension records

Navy

Personal naval papers – Boer and WW1 records

Naval medal rolls – Boer and WW1 records

Ship’s logs

Atlantic, North Sea and other Convoy logs

Naval casualty lists (WW2)

Wreck sites database

German submarine records

Merchant Navy papers – vessels and personal

Mercantile Marine medal rolls

Air Force

Royal Aero Club certificates

RFC/RAF/RAFVR/RNAS personal papers

RFC/RAF/RAFVR/RNAS squadron logs

RAF flight logs (WW2)

RAF air station histories (WW2)

German Luftwaffe flight logs (translated)

Personal Histories from the Far East