Almost 342,000 new Chelsea Pensioner records 1901-1913 just published

We’ve just added 341,888 records and 1,928,868 images to our Chelsea Pensioners collection for the period 1901-1913.

This completes the WO97 series of our Chelsea Pensioner collection and brings the total amount of these records and images on findmypast.co.uk to 1,033,845 records and 6,131,443 images.

This collection comprises records of men pensioned out of the British Army 1760-1913. The connection with ‘Chelsea Pensioners’ is that the pensions were administered through The Royal Hospital at Chelsea.

For the first time on-line, in colour, you can now see Territorial Force attestations. The Territorial Force was formed in 1908 and so these men would not have appeared in earlier record releases.

Also for the first time, you can view – in colour – attestations for men who joined the Volunteer Service Companies during the Boer War. These men, who had previously served with Volunteer battalions, re-enlisted with these special volunteer service companies and served alongside regular soldiers in the regular regiments.

Here’s a full breakdown of which records we’ve already published on the site and which are still to come:

These records are very special. They’re the closest you can get to looking at a photo of you ancestor as they contain detailed descriptions of a soldier’s physical appearance and any distinguishing features, for example, tattoos or scars. There are usually six or seven records for each soldier and you’ll also be able to see your ancestor’s signature.

We’re working in association with The National Archives and in partnership with FamilySearch on this ongoing project.

Remember that these records are free to search, like all the records on findmypast.co.uk. Even if you’re not sure that any of your ancestors could have been Chelsea Pensioners, try searching the records - your ancestor may have only served in the army for a short time before they were pensioned out.

Find your ancestors in our Chelsea Pensioner records today.

6 Responses to “Almost 342,000 new Chelsea Pensioner records 1901-1913 just published”

1. Neo Anderson says:

   7 October 2010 at 11:31 am

   Great service. Can someone please advise what the content of WO96 is vs WO97?

   Reply
2. Paul Nixon says:

   7 October 2010 at 1:06 pm

   Hello Neo, glad you like the service.

   WO 97 is the main series of service documents of soldiers (but not officers) who either became in- or out-pensioners of the Royal Hospital Chelsea.

   WO 96 is the War Office Militia Attestation series and comprises over 1500 boxes of documents dating from between 1806 and 1915. These are currently being scanned and should be on-line on findmypast.co.uk by November 2011.

   The militia effectively ceased to exist when the Special and Extra Reserve battalions were formed in 1908 and so I’ll be interested to see what’s included in the WO 96 series between the years 1908 and 1915.

   Reply
3. Kevin Toohey says:

   23 October 2010 at 11:20 pm

   Just to let you know that I found the complete Chelsea Pension record for my ancestor Peter Toohey in WO121/216

   Reply
4. Margaret O' Donnell says:

   5 November 2010 at 8:00 am

   My Chelsea Pensioner ancestor Alexander Oakenhead is in WO121/83/150
   Discharged 24th May 1807 after 12 years and 3 months in service with Consumption.
   I have still to find him on this site

   Reply
5. ** says:

   5 November 2010 at 1:17 pm

   warning they do publish you info

   Reply
6. Pam Jordan says:

   26 November 2010 at 3:16 am

   Were the Fencibles that came to NZ in the 1860’s listed as Chelsea Pensioners.

   Reply