Genealogy Chat

The surviving records of non commissioned officers and other ranks who served in the war are at TNA - emphasis being on surviving: Pay rolls and muster lists are not there but service records for soldiers whose service ended between 1914 and 1920 (by death or discharge) were collected from the regiments. Many of these records were destroyed in a fire at their repository during WW2, with about 30% surviving. The surviving records, known as Burnt Records, covering about 2 million soldiers are at TNA and are on microfim in Series 363. These are NOT on Ancestry. A further series at TNA, WO364, was collated from service records held by Ministry of Pension, in an attempt to replace the information lost in the fire. They are related to pensions but include other service records showing when where the soldier served as this was all relevant to the pension entitlement. They cover about three quarters of a million soldiers - mainly ones who were awarded a pension. So you may find records of regular soldiers discharged to a pension, soldiers discharged on medical grounds or those who died leaving dependents. This series does NOT cover soldiers who died without dependents, or those who were demobbed after the war and not entitled to a pension. It is this series 364 which Ancestry have put online. In short Ancestry does not have officers It does not have those who died without dependents It does not have those who stayed on in the army after 1920 It does not have those who served just in wartime and were demobbed at the end without pension entitlement But it does have full coverage of the 750000 records in WO364, though some may take some finding as the usual transcription problems plague the search engine. Good hunting

Hi again all, I have just checked it out, it's on the Long, Long Trail site. Scroll down and there is a short paragraph about it. I know for me the only way now to get the details for my Grandad is to go to Kew. Ellen

As with the census transcriptions, you have to be imaginative with your searches, try different options. Again less is often more, put too much information in the search and it can't cope. Eileen, do you mean there were no entries for the three surnames you mention, because there are 19 Hugill, 15 Haining and 6 Rockliffe on exact spelling search, probably more if you search on soundex. Jennifer

Hi, I too could not find my Grandfather's Pension records on Ancestry but then I remembered that I had read on another site that the Ancestry Pension Records is misleading and they are not Pension Records but Attestaion records. I think the site that had this info was 1914 - 1918. Ellen.

I was lucky enough to find my Grandad. he was in France for 19 days but lost his sight so he got a persion.

My grandfather served 11 years from 1909-1920, he left the army with severe shell-shock but did not get a pension. One of his brothers served fewer years than him, but according to his 1927 death certificate was an army pensioner, however he is not on Ancestry. I do not know why he was awarded a pension, I was hoping to find out via his records.

I read earlier on another site that NOT all the available records ARE on Ancestry. The poster was quoting from yet another site - as I understood it, someone had researched at Kew and read documents for 13 of their rellies. They reported that only 1 of these 13 appears on Ancestry. Jay

My Grandfather is missing from the list and I know he recieved a pension. Ive even searched via his regimental number and nothing :(

Yes, that's right. Officers records are not on Ancestry. But they are name searchable on the National Archives website (refs WO339 and WO374.) The records aren't online,though. I've looked at a number of these files, and very interesting they are too!

Melvyn, Dont quote me on this, but.... I think I read somewhere that officers records are not included in the Pension records on Ancestry, I cant find my grand fathers brothers details, and belive this may be the reason. so that may be why a lot of people cant find who theyre looking for. If I have this wrong I apologise in advance. Nicky

Hi Sylvia Thanks for your reply. I suppose the short service one received a pension because he was deemed unfit for service, so was therefore invalided out and thus qualified. Tricia

Tricia, I have absolutely no idea!!! I coudl assume that soemone who had served a long time (ie who had made a career out of being in the army) would receive a pension. I could assume that someone who was injured during WW1 would ahve received a pension, especially if he was invalided out. But who knows? And as so many records are missing ........................... Even some (at least) of those on ancestry are so badly damaged that you can only just make out the name, and no further information. I found one like that with the same name as my grandfather .................... but it was hopeless to see if it was him!

Hi Sylvia Do you know how they decided who would have been entitled to a pension. I have so far found my gt grandmother's brother who served over 21 years and I have also found another relly who only served about 18 months. thanks Tricia

I also now that my great grandfather got a war pension

Hi Melvyn I too cannot find my grandfathers records and I know that he received an Army Pension from WW1 when he was wounded out. It is so frustrating!! Sue

Melvyn, They are all supposed to be on there .............................. All the records that exist that is!! Don't forget, large numbers of the WW1 records were destroyed in a bombing and then a fire during WW2. A number of people are finding their ancestors are missing. It is only those who received a pension anyway. Neither my own grandfather (who did not receive a pension so far as I know) and an uncle (who was badly wounded and therefore should have had a pension) are not to be found! Sylvia

Are all the records on there now, I have tried searching for my great grandfather and he is not on there. Any advice ? Melvyn