British soldiers of 1914–1918: connect the record series

ROOT & GENEALOGY · Content updated on 2026-10-29 · Editorial method and sources

An individual service file, medal card and unit diary illuminate different aspects of military service. This National Archives guide covers British Army other ranks and non-commissioned officers; commissioned officers and Commonwealth armies require different searches.

The method, step by step

1. Start with a documented service number and regiment. WO 363 and WO 364 contain surviving service and pension records. Many individual files were destroyed: a failed search does not exclude a soldier documented elsewhere.
2. WO 372 medal cards may provide number and unit; WO 329 medal rolls support further checks. Retain different numbers with their associated units. A changed number should not automatically be treated as a different person.
3. Once unit and dates are established, seek the corresponding diary, including WO 95 depending on the theatre. Diaries describe collective activity and usually do not name every soldier. Keep this context separate from individually documented movements.

Read the records and build the connection

British soldiers of 1914–1918: connect the record series

Record element	What to record and check
WO 363 / WO 364	Record identity, relatives and service history where surviving.
WO 372 / WO 329	Compare number, regiment, award and roll reference.
WO 95	Identify unit, dates and theatre before reading collective context.

1. Number and regiment
2. File and medals
3. Unit context