Blog
22 Jun 2011New Militia records launched
Adding to our British Army Service Records 1760-1915 collection, we have just published over 500,000 soldiers’ records in our Militia Service Records 1806-1915.
These records offer a rich source of information to the family historian, especially because attestation papers form a major part of this collection. The records were annotated until the soldier was discharged so provide full details of time in service. And, since the militia recruits were part-time, there are details of the jobs the men undertook for the rest of the time.
The Militia was a voluntary county-based part-time force for home defence. It ceased to be summoned after the Civil War but was revived in 1757, when the Militia Act established militia regiments in all counties of England and Wales. The Militia Service Records provide a record of service as they were annotated until the date of discharge. They also have information about birth date and place.
You will often find physical descriptions including distinguishing marks including tattoos. In the absence of photographs, these records are an essential tool in imagining what your ancestors were like – although some of the later records do include photographs. You’ll also be able to see the individual’s signature.
These records are brought to you online in association with The National Archives (TNA). The TNA record series number is ‘WO96’: WO simply indicates that the records were created by the War Office, the precursor of today’s Ministry of Defence.
Search our new Militia Service Records 1806-1915 now!
Your Records are very poor you show no record for Frank s Leigh M M , of The Royal west Kent Rgt, served in WW1 1916 d of b 1890
Our military history expert, Paul Nixon, replies:
“The first thing to note is that by the time Britain went to war in 1914, the militia had long ceased to exist. The National Archives gives the dates for the WO 96 militia attestation papers as 1806-1915 but it is important to note that the militia was disbanded and replaced by the Special Reserve and Extra Reserve in 1908.
“L/10515 Lance-Corporal (later Private) Frank Leigh joined the Royal West Kent Regiment in September 1914; probably between the 6th and 9th of that month according to my own records. He joined up as a regular soldier for seven years with colours and five on the reserve. This much is clear from the L/ prefix of his army number. Soldiers joining the new RWK Regt service battalions for wartime service only had their numbers prefixed with G/. There is nothing to suggest, from anything that I have seen, that this man had formerly served with the militia. I have also checked WO 363 and WO 364 to see if there is a surviving service record but unfortunately there is not.”
Hope this helps, Bert.
I am looking for William Brittain or Britton who was a private in NSW army Corps battallion102, my ancestor, who arrived in Australia on ship Active in 1791 There must be something somewhere about him in England, apart from a possible in old bailey records,where I can’t find what happened , I have come to a dead end, He was recruited by Grose I do hope someone can help The only clue I have is that two people in a court case, (at the time over land,) who were his neighbours, said he left a wife and children in Ireland. Please could someone point me in the right direction. it says he was 27,in 1791 but that could have been 21 written badly. Also says he was a shoemaker by trade.
All my best
Barbara Adams