How can I obtain historical military information?

Please note that the departments below do not have the resources to answer all the enquiries they receive. Enquiries involving a lot of research unfortunately will be rejected and most need considerable time to get to the front of the queue. It is therefore advisable to be patient.

Army:

Army Historical Branch
Ministry of Defence
Main Building
Whitehall
London SW1A 2HB
United Kingdom
Tel: 0044 207 218 5463

Royal Navy:

Naval Historical Branch
Ministry of Defence
Room 3,05
Great Scotland Yard, Whitehall
London SW1A 2HW
United Kingdom
Tel: 0044 207 218 5451

Royal Air Force:

Air Historical Branch (RAF) AHB3
Ministry of Defence
Main Building
Whitehall
London SW1A 2HB
United Kingdom
Tel: 0044 207 218 5452

Where can I locate Records of Service for former British military personnel?

Records of Service for former British military personnel can be acquired by authorised enquiries from the addresses given below:

Army:

Ministry of Defence
Departmental Record Office
CS(R)2a
Bourne Avenue
Hayes
Middlesex UB3 1RF
United Kingdom Royal Air Force:

Ministry of Defence
PMA(CS)2a(2)RAF
Royal Air Force
Innsworth
Gloucestershire GL3 1EZ
United Kingdom

Royal Navy/Royal Marines:
(Prior to 1892)

Public Record Office
Ruskin Avenue
Kew, Surrey,
TW9 4D4
United Kingdom
Royal Navy/Royal Marines:
(1892-1939)

CSR(N)
Bourne Avenue
Hayes, Middlesex
UB3 1RF
United Kingdom

Royal Navy/Royal Marines:
(1940-Present)

NP(ACTS)1c
HMS Nelson
Gosport, Hants
PO12 9XA
United Kingdom

Do I qualify for a pension?

To find out if you qualify for a pension, you may contact the addresses given below. Full details of service and copies of all relevant documentation should be provided with all enquiries.

War Pensions Agency:

194 Euston Road
London NW1 2DG
United Kingdom

Tel: 0044 845 6020302

Royal Navy/Royal Marines:

RN/RM Pensions
Pay, Pension and Personnel
Administration
AFPAA
Centurion Building
Grange Road
Gosport, Hants
PO13 9XA
United Kingdom

Army:

Army Pensions
Pay, Pension and Personnel
Administration
AFPAA
Kentigern House
65 Brown Street,
Glasgow G2 8EX
United Kingdom Royal Air Force:

RAF Pensions
Pay, Pension and Personnel
Administration
AFPAA
RAF Innsworth
Gloucestershire
GL3 1EZ
United Kingdom

How do I obtain British military medals?

Please note that only British Servicemen and those who have served with the British forces in campaigns are entitled to receive medals. They are not for sale.

Army:

Army Medal Office
Government Buildings
Worcester Road
Droitwich
Worcs WR9 9AU
United Kingdom
Royal Navy/Royal Marines:

Centurion Building
NPP(Acs)1(f)
Grange Road
Gosport
Hants PO13 9XA
United Kingdom
Royal Air Force:

Ministry of Defence
(PMA(CS)2a(3)(RAF))
Innsworth
Gloucestershire
GL3 1EZ
United Kingdom