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There are a variety of ways to find Australian Army records, with resources available online and in person. The National Archives of Australia holds Army, Navy, and Air Force service records, including those for the First and Second World Wars. The National Archives has also digitised Army service records for the First World War, which can be viewed online. The Australian War Memorial holds a large collection of military records, including unit war diaries and photographs. Other resources include the Anzac Portal, which is useful for researching the war service of Australian veterans, and FamilySearch, which provides information on military records in Australia and the British military records held at the Public Record Office in England.
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What You'll Learn
National Archives of Australia
The National Archives of Australia holds Army, Navy, and Air Force service records, including those for the First and Second World Wars. The Archives' RecordSearch database allows users to access many defence service records, including original handwritten signatures, attestation forms, deployment details, and correspondence.
To find a service record, you can search the RecordSearch database using the person's surname and service number. If you do not know the service number, you can find it by searching the relevant nominal rolls. If a service record has not been digitised, you can order an online copy by selecting 'request copy' on the right side of the screen. If your search returns multiple items, you will need to select the relevant item before requesting a copy. To view the original record in person, check the 'location' field of the item and submit a 'request to view records' form before visiting the research centre.
The National Archives has digitised Navy service cards for 1911-1970 and Army service records for the First World War, which can be viewed online or copied for a small fee. Records of service after World War II are held by both the National Archives and the Department of Defence. If you cannot find relevant post-WWII service records in RecordSearch, you can submit a 'Defence service after WWII' enquiry.
In addition to service records, the National Archives holds other resources that can be useful for researching Australian military history, including unit war diaries, reports of proceedings, and unit histories. The Australian War Memorial collection, held by the National Archives, includes Official Histories, Rolls, and Unit Diaries, some of which are available in the Canberra Reading Room. The National Library of Australia's Trove website provides access to a wide range of resources, including books, images, historic newspapers, maps, and archives.
Other online resources and contacts can also provide information about the service of family members.
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Australian War Memorial
The Australian War Memorial (AWM) is a national memorial, museum, and archive dedicated to Australians who died as a result of war, including peacekeeping duties. The AWM is located in Campbell, a suburb of Canberra, Australia's capital city. The grounds include five buildings and a sculpture garden. The Memorial Building houses most of the museum galleries and commemorative areas.
The Australian War Memorial was established through federal legislation in 1925, shortly after the First World War. It was initially intended to commemorate only World War I, but its scope has since been expanded to include all wars. The AWM features galleries dedicated to the World Wars, as well as thematic exhibits such as the Aircraft Hall and the Hall of Valour.
The AWM holds a diverse collection of exhibitions, artworks, large technology objects, and personal records. It plays a crucial role in shaping how Australians and international visitors understand the country's history and national identity. The Memorial's galleries and exhibitions explore Australia's involvement in major conflicts, shedding light on the nation's continuing story of service, sacrifice, and military history.
The Memorial holds Australian Naval Force engagement and service records from 1903 to 1911. It also holds unit war diaries for the Army and Reports of Proceedings for the Navy from World War I and II. The National Archives of Australia, accessible via RecordSearch, holds Army, Navy, and Air Force service records, including those from the two World Wars. These records can be searched using the individual's surname and service number. If a service record has not been digitised, it can be ordered online, and a request to view the original record can be submitted.
The Australian War Memorial is a highly-regarded tourist attraction, ranking as Canberra's top attraction on TripAdvisor and listed as one of the top 10 free tourist attractions globally for 2023. It offers guided and self-guided tours to enhance visitors' experiences. The Memorial is open daily, except on Christmas Day, and holds several commemorative services, including a nightly Last Post service and national services for Anzac Day and Remembrance Day.
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Family records and biographies
The National Archives of Australia holds Army, Navy, and Air Force service records, including those from the First and Second World Wars. These can be searched through their RecordSearch database, using the person's surname and service number. If the record has not been digitized, you can order an online copy. The National Archives also holds the Merchant Navy Record of Service cards, which are arranged by family name and provide personal information, ship names, and dates of service.
The Australian War Memorial holds a range of biographical information, including nominal rolls, honours and awards, Australian Army war diaries, wounded, missing, and prisoner of war files, and general information about Australia's involvement in overseas conflicts and peacekeeping efforts. They also hold unit war diaries for the Army and Reports of Proceedings for the Navy from the First and Second World Wars.
Other resources include the National Library of Australia's Australasian Military History Database (MIHILIST), which can help locate records and information on Australians who served in the First World War. Additionally, the British Army in Australia 1788-1870 Index of Personnel provides names and regiments for each serving person, and the AJCP WO12 Muster Books and Pay Lists can be used to find more information about a soldier.
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Service records and medals
Service records for the Australian Army, Navy, and Air Force are held by the National Archives of Australia (NAA). These include records from the First World War and Second World War. To find a service record, you can search the NAA's RecordSearch database using the person's surname and service number. If the record has not been digitized, you can order an online copy by selecting 'request copy' on the screen.
The National Archives also holds colonial period records, while post-Federation records are held by the NAA. The Australian War Memorial holds Australian Naval Force engagement and service records from 1903 to 1911, as well as First World War service records, primarily relating to members of the First Australian Imperial Force.
Service records may include references to service medals, but they may not always provide information on medal entitlements. If medal entitlements are not included in the service record, you can apply to Defence Honours and Awards for details. Campaign and service medals are typically awarded to recognize the service of members of the Australian Defence Force in prescribed warlike operations.
Photographs from the Australian War Memorial's Research Centre may also be available, and they may hold other records such as photographs of relevant units.
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World War I and World War II records
The National Archives of Australia holds most of the official Defence Force records, including auxiliary services. The archives are based in Canberra, but there are repositories in each state and territory. You can view digitised records online or pay a small fee to have them mailed to you. The archives include:
- Applications to enlist in the Australian Imperial Force (MT1486/1)
- Citizen Military Forces personnel service records 1937-47 (B884)
- PMF and Army Militia Personnel dossiers, 1901-1973 (B4717)
- Medical Documents - Army (Department of Defence Medical Documents) (A13860)
- Service documents for personnel who served in the Australian Military Forces (AMF) during the Second World War
- Lists of Army Personnel (Australian Military Force and Second Australian Imperial Force) (A828)
- Army Personnel Files - multiple number series (B2458)
The Embarkation Rolls were compiled in about 1919 by the Department of Defence and are useful for members of the AIF who embarked from Australia for service overseas during World War I. The Australian War Memorial holds digitised records of the Embarkation Rolls, as well as Australian Imperial Force unit war diaries from 1914-18. The Australian War Memorial's Research Centre can be contacted via email for reference enquiries.
The Nominal Roll is an index of information that provides a 'snapshot' of individual service during World War II, including the names of around 845,000 members of the Australian Army. The site also contains information about World War II and links to other sources. However, Australians who served with other Commonwealth or Allied Forces are not included in this Nominal Roll.
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) website allows you to search for war dead in World War I and World War II. The Roll of Honour database contains the personal particulars, unit and date of death of each person.
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Frequently asked questions
The National Archives of Australia holds Army, Navy, and Air Force service records, including those for the First and Second World Wars. The National Archives has also digitised Army service records for the First World War, which can be viewed online.
To find a service record, search the RecordSearch database using the person's surname and service number. If a service record has not been digitised, you can order an online copy.
Yes, there are several other resources for finding Australian Army records. The Australian War Memorial holds a large collection of military records and unit war diaries. The Anzac Portal also provides information on researching Australian veteran's war service. Additionally, military records may be found in family records, biographies, census data, probate records, civil registration, and church records.
