On the 11th November 1996 the first release of soldiers papers took place at the Public Record Office. These are coded WO364. They represent approx 8% of men who joined the army before and during World War One. I was looking at papers that day and have formed some opinions that I'd like to pass on, whats there ,whats not there and some tips on how to cut down on the slog factor when researching, you can seriously help yourself, considering there are 4500 reels of microfilm any edge you get is worth it. I have had many enquiries from people asking me to trace relatives. Although I 'm happy to advise, I'm now not prepared to look up things for people at the PRO as it's becoming an avalance!!. I can advise, and I can also recommend a good researcher who is experienced and reasonable, his e.mail link is at the bottom.

Following on from this WO363, the burnt papers have been released. These are the papers that were barbecued in 1940. there are reackoned to be only 35% of papers left. But there are still enough boxes to fill 31/2 Acres of shelving!!!!!. These papers are currently being microfilmed, and are steadily being released, it pays to check on the PRO website for availability.

Stop press as of 111th May 2002 there are papers from the Burnt collection to every surname bar H and G's

I'm afraid if you are looking for men killed in action, this release of papers does not appear to hold any details of these men. Although in the WO363 Burnt papers series there are the papers of men killed, the condition of the papers isn't as bad as the title burnt papers suggest.

From My own estimates, about 10% of men who served have papers in the WO364 section and about 35% in the WO363 section, still worth a punt.

• Men who were awarded a Long Service Good Conduct medal during the 1914-18 period.
• :There appears to be no dominance of a particular regiment.
• The award of a silver war badge appears to have no influence on whether papers are there. Logically as these papers appear to have mainly come from the ministry of pensions these award of an SWB would imply some disability but I have found no increase in incidence of papers being found to men with these badges
• There are South African Army papers there for men who settled in the UK after the war
• I have also found a fair few papers to men who were taken prisoner and were repatriated to a neutral country during the war. There are interesting interviews on their treatment etc.

• Men who enlisted and were discharged after a short time as being medically unfit.

HOW CAN YOU MAKE YOUR SEARCH EASIER?

I have sat and listened to many family history entusiasts going round in circles making basic mistakes, here is how to help yourself and not piss others off in the process.

• The staff at Kew are very helpful, the PRO seem to have filled the place with helpful staff in abundance, use them, but you can help youself.

• Go to Kew armed with all the relevant information you have to hand about the person you are looking up, especially a full name, regiment etc, if you have the medals of a relative, take the details inscribed on them with you.

• Firstly perform a medal index card check. The cards are in the same room as the records and they give you vital information. They give you full name, regiments served, and the service numbers allocated during the war. These details should be noted down, the records often show only the number the man was serving under in 1918, with terratitorials this means the 6 figure number, this is the most quoted number in the records even though the medals often have the 4 figure earlier number on.

• There appear to be many misfilings

• Beware of the registers telling you what reel a certain name is on, there appear to be names that fall between two reels giving the impression that the name isn't there. I have found that in this instance the name will be either at the end of the first reel or the begining of the second reel that straddle the name. This give men the impression that this guide only puts you in the same ball park, so don't give up if the name you want appears to be missing between two reels.

• The names are not in regimental order as the Medal index cards are they are in alphabetical order, ie Smith A, the Alberts, and Albert plus other christian name would come before the Arthurs.

• When looking up a name think of every possible spelling, ie Philips,Phillips etc, there are some horrendous misfillings so think how they could have been mispelt.

• Be prepared for a long slog ,it can be had work ploughing through reel after reel, be prepared to find nothing as I have found 1 in 4, this is the bit that seems to get to the family historians, also bear in mind that the papers have other ranks and nco's only-no officers, these are filled seperately.

• When you have found the papers you want take a note of the serial number above each page, this is so you can find them again easily when you transfer them to the viewer printer when you want copies.

• Lastly take plenty of valium because once you have found your papers you will find that the microfilm copiers that the PRO are currently using are knackered 9 times out of 10 leaving you quite frustrated!!!
• Jonathan Collins Researcher 's e.mail link  if you are considering looking for lost Grandads
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