Ruqayyah Snyder
Military records can be a treasure trove of information for those curious about their ancestors' service history. In Australia, military records are held by a variety of institutions, including the National Archives of Australia, the National Library of Australia, and the Australian War Memorial. These organisations provide access to records from various conflicts, such as World War I and II, the Boer War, and other pre-1914 conflicts. The National Archives also holds records for the Royal Australian Navy and the RAAF, while the Australian War Memorial offers insights into unit records and published sources. For those seeking information about Australian Defence Force members, the Defence website provides personal information requests, and the Anzac Portal is a valuable resource for researching veterans' war service. With organised record-keeping and knowledge of where to look, individuals can uncover the rich details of their ancestors' military service.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Organisation | National Archives of Australia (NAA) |
| Record Types | Defence and war service records, Navy service cards (1911-1970), Army service records for the First World War, RAAF service records (from 1921), Merchant Navy Record of Service cards, First World War Nominal Roll, Department of Veterans’ Affairs Anzac Portal, microfilms, CD-ROMs, books, databases, websites, personal documents, official documents |
| Record Dates | 1899-1975, principally from Federation in 1901 |
| Record Locations | RecordSearch, National Archives Service Records page, National Library of Australia, Australian War Memorial, Canberra Reading Room, Defence Honours and Awards, Trove website, Ancestry or Findmypast (in-person only), National Archives of Australia website, Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) website |
| Record Access | Online, in-person |
| Record Requests | Personal information requests can be submitted through ServiceConnect or the Defence website form. Requests require proof of identity and may require consent from the individual whose information is being requested. |
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What You'll Learn
The National Archives of Australia
If a soldier served in both the First and Second World Wars, the record has usually been amalgamated into the Second World War service record. Second World War service records are held by the National Archives of Australia (NAA). Merchant Navy Record of Service cards for people who served on Australian merchant vessels are held on microfilm in the NAA Canberra office.
To search for a family member’s service record, it is helpful to have as much information as possible. A family member’s full name, date of birth, and service number is a good start, but both official and personal documents can be useful. The more information you have, the quicker your search is likely to be.
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Australian War Memorial
The Australian War Memorial (AWM) is a national memorial, museum, and archive dedicated to Australians who have served the nation in wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations, both domestic and international, and to those who died as a result. 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 AWM was conceived by Charles Bean in 1916, a year after the Australian War Records Section was formed to preserve First World War records and relics. The Australian War Memorial committee was established in 1919, and the AWM was formally established through federal legislation in 1925. Initially intended to commemorate only the First World War, the AWM's scope was expanded in 1939 to include the Second World War, and in 1952, to cover all wars. In 1975, its scope was broadened again to include all Australians who died in conflict. The AWM holds commemorative services on its grounds, including a daily Last Post Ceremony, and national services for Anzac Day and Remembrance Day.
The AWM's galleries and exhibitions explore Australia's involvement in major conflicts and showcase the country's history of service, sacrifice, and military history. The museum displays a diverse collection of exhibitions, artworks, large technology objects, and personal records. The Hall of Valour, Aircraft Hall, and the Hall of Memory, which houses the Tomb of the Unknown Australian Soldier, are some of the notable galleries and spaces within the AWM.
The AWM offers guided and self-guided tours to visitors, providing a deeper understanding of Australia's history and national identity. The institution also has a theatre that presents performances honouring the sacrifices and experiences of Australians during wars.
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Department of Defence
The Department of Defence holds personal information about Australian Defence Force (ADF) members to support them and their families during and after their service. Personal information about ADF members can be accessed via the personal information request process and will be actioned within 30 days.
The quickest way to search for a family member’s service record is to be as organised as possible. Record as much information as you can, including the family member’s full name, date of birth, and service number. Both official and personal documents can be useful.
Personal information can be requested from Defence via 2 methods. The fastest way is to submit a personal information request in ServiceConnect, where applicants can verify their identity using myID, the Australian Government’s Digital ID app. Alternatively, for those unable to access ServiceConnect, a request for personal information can be submitted through the Defence website form. Applicants will confirm their identity by submitting certified identity documents and will receive information on an encrypted and password-protected USB sent via Australia Post.
Requests submitted through ServiceConnect will receive an email containing a secure link to access and download records. Requests submitted through the Defence website form will be sent records on an encrypted and password-protected USB via Australia Post.
If submitting a request on behalf of a current or ex-member, prepare a document for them to sign with the following wording: "I [name] residing at [address] consent to allow my Defence information to be released to [name] via [address]. By signing this document I authorise Defence to disclose the information identified in the online application made to Defence on [date]." followed by the current or ex-member's handwritten signature. If submitting a request for a deceased member's information, prepare proof of relationship to the member and proof of the member's death.
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Department of Veterans Affairs
The Department of Veterans Affairs offers the Anzac Portal, which contains resources for those looking to research the war service records of Australian veterans.
The Roll of Honour database contains personal details such as the unit and date of death of each person, as well as other information like the cause of death, place of death, and cemetery or memorial details. Over half of the records in this database also have digital images attached. The Roll of Honour is most useful for researching the records of those who died as a result of their service in pre-1914 conflicts (Sudan, South Africa, China), World War I, World War II, and post-1945 conflicts.
The Embarkation Rolls were compiled in 1919 by the Department of Defence and are most useful for members of the AIF who embarked from Australia for overseas service during World War I. The Red Cross Wounded and Missing Enquiry contains digitised records of those who were injured or missing in action, also held by the Australian War Memorial.
The Department of Defence website, Defence Honours and Awards, details awards issued from the Australian and Imperial honours awards systems from World War I onwards. The National Library of Australia's Trove website also provides access to over 600 million Australian and online resources.
The National Archives, based in Canberra, holds digitised Navy service cards from 1911-1970 and Army service records for World War I. These can be viewed online or for a small fee, can be copied and mailed. The National Archives also holds Second World War service records, as well as Merchant Navy Record of Service cards on microfilm in their Canberra office.
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National Library of Australia
The National Library of Australia provides a comprehensive Trove website with access to over 600 million Australian and online resources. It also has a guide to help you find your military ancestors, including records from Australia, New Zealand, and the British Army.
The library's Family History OnDisc includes the Australasian Military History Database (MIHILIST), which can help locate records and information on Australians who served in World War I. The library also holds published texts relating to First Nations peoples' military service, including biographies of First Nations men and women who have served in the military.
The National Library of Australia also has a guide to help you find a soldier and access eResources. This includes a guide to researching an Australian soldier of the Great War (1914-1918), which provides details on the 330,000 men and women who served overseas in the (First) Australian Imperial Force.
The library's website may contain images, voices, and names of deceased persons, as well as references to collections that may be culturally sensitive.
To use Ancestry or Findmypast, you need to visit the National Library of Australia in person. It is helpful to know a person's full name and, if possible, their date and place of birth, as well as when and/or where they served.
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Frequently asked questions
The National Library of Australia (NLA) holds a range of resources, including the Australasian Military History Database (MIHILIST). The National Archives of Australia (NAA) also holds defence and war service records, including those of the Royal Australian Navy and the RAAF.
The NLA's Trove website gives access to over 600 million Australian and online resources. The NAA's RecordSearch also allows you to view Navy service cards for 1911-1970 and Army service records for the First World War online.
Requests can be submitted through ServiceConnect or the Defence website form. The fastest way to request and access personal information is via ServiceConnect, which requires identity verification through the Australian Government's Digital ID app. Requests submitted through the Defence website form will receive records on an encrypted and password-protected USB via Australia Post.
To request personal information about an Australian Defence Force (ADF) member, you will need two certified proof of identity documents (one photo ID and one secondary ID) for yourself and the current or ex-member. If submitting a request on behalf of a deceased member, you will need to provide proof of your relationship to the member and proof of the member's death.
