Second World War (1939-1945) - researching British soldiers
This guide contains information about researching Second World War (1939-1945) British soldiers, especially those who served in the Durham Light Infantry. It was compiled by Steve Shannon (former Curator of the Durham Light Infantry Museum and Art Gallery) for Durham County Record Office in March 2016. It was updated by staff at The Story in July 2026.
The guide contains information relating to archives collections only. A further guide about the DLI museum collection will be available in due course.
Second World War (1939-1945) - researching British soldiers
This guide contains information about researching Second World War (1939-1945) British soldiers, especially those who served in the Durham Light Infantry. It was compiled by Steve Shannon (former Curator of the Durham Light Infantry Museum and Art Gallery) for Durham County Record Office in March 2016. It was updated by staff at The Story in July 2026.
The guide contains information relating to archives collections only. A further guide about the DLI museum collection will be available in due course.
Family records
Before you begin your research, you should note down what you already know about the soldier, for example:
- His full name.
- Date and place of birth.
- The place where he was living when he enlisted (joined the Army).
- The name of his next of kin (usually his father or wife)
These details will help you to identify the correct surviving official records for your soldier.
Family stories about the soldier having fought in a particular battle or having been awarded a gallantry medal may also help, but these stories should be treated with caution, as they may have been embellished over the years.
Next, you should try to discover if any of the soldier’s documents or belongings have survived in your family. These could include his cap badge, identity discs, pay book, discharge certificate, a photograph of him in uniform, or a newspaper cutting with news, for example, of his wounding or death.
You should look especially for his medals. These will have stamped on the rim or on the back the soldier’s name, rank, number and the name of his regiment, for example:
18-609 PTE H. STANLEY. DURH:L.I. or 23-1141 SJT. R. DEFTY. NORTH’D FUS.
Once you have searched family records, it is time to look at the official records.
Family records
Before you begin your research, you should note down what you already know about the soldier, for example:
- His full name.
- Date and place of birth.
- The place where he was living when he enlisted (joined the Army).
- The name of his next of kin (usually his father or wife)
These details will help you to identify the correct surviving official records for your soldier.
Family stories about the soldier having fought in a particular battle or having been awarded a gallantry medal may also help, but these stories should be treated with caution, as they may have been embellished over the years.
Next, you should try to discover if any of the soldier’s documents or belongings have survived in your family. These could include his cap badge, identity discs, pay book, discharge certificate, a photograph of him in uniform, or a newspaper cutting with news, for example, of his wounding or death.
You should look especially for his medals. These will have stamped on the rim or on the back the soldier’s name, rank, number and the name of his regiment, for example:
18-609 PTE H. STANLEY. DURH:L.I. or 23-1141 SJT. R. DEFTY. NORTH’D FUS.
Once you have searched family records, it is time to look at the official records.
Service records
The British Army kept detailed paper records on every one of its soldiers who served during the Second World War. These records still survive and are held in Glasgow by the Army Personnel Centre of the Ministry of Defence. These records are in the process of being transferred to The National Archives, which is expected to be completed in 2027. Click here for further information about the transfer and how to access the records.
Digitised records from The National Archives are available to download for free upon creation of an account on their website.
Service records
The British Army kept detailed paper records on every one of its soldiers who served during the Second World War. These records still survive and are held in Glasgow by the Army Personnel Centre of the Ministry of Defence. These records are in the process of being transferred to The National Archives, which is expected to be completed in 2027. Click here for further information about the transfer and how to access the records.
Digitised records from The National Archives are available to download for free upon creation of an account on their website.
Medals
Second World War campaign and service medals (for example the Africa Star, Burma Star or Defence Medal) were not sent automatically to soldiers after the war. Soldiers had to claim their medals and many did not, especially those who had served in the Home Guard.
These medals may still be claimed from the Ministry of Defence Medal Office either by the veteran himself or by his next of kin. The application procedure is explained on the Medal Office’s website:
Applying for a medal – the Ministry of Defence Medal Office
Medals
Second World War campaign and service medals (for example the Africa Star, Burma Star or Defence Medal) were not sent automatically to soldiers after the war. Soldiers had to claim their medals and many did not, especially those who had served in the Home Guard.
These medals may still be claimed from the Ministry of Defence Medal Office either by the veteran himself or by his next of kin. The application procedure is explained on the Medal Office’s website:
Applying for a medal – the Ministry of Defence Medal Office
Durham Home Guard
In June 1940, over 1,500,000 volunteers joined the Home Guard – 'Dad’s Army'. Many of these were veterans of the First World War.
In 2012, The National Archives made available online the Enrolment Forms for the Durham Home Guard. Over 80,000 men served in the Durham Home Guard between May 1940 and December 1945. These can be viewed and downloaded for free upon creation of an account on The National Archives website. Transcripts are available on Find My Past which can be accessed in Search and Discover at The Story, Durham.
Each form records the name, date of birth, address and next of kin of each volunteer, plus brief details of any previous military service.
The Home Guard service records for the remainder of England and Wales have been transferred to The National Archives and will be made available through a licensed partnership with Ancestry. It is expected they will be accessible online by March 2028.
Durham Home Guard
In June 1940, over 1,500,000 volunteers joined the Home Guard – 'Dad’s Army'. Many of these were veterans of the First World War.
In 2012, The National Archives made available online the Enrolment Forms for the Durham Home Guard. Over 80,000 men served in the Durham Home Guard between May 1940 and December 1945. These can be viewed and downloaded for free upon creation of an account on The National Archives website. Transcripts are available on Find My Past which can be accessed in Search and Discover at The Story, Durham.
Each form records the name, date of birth, address and next of kin of each volunteer, plus brief details of any previous military service.
The Home Guard service records for the remainder of England and Wales have been transferred to The National Archives and will be made available through a licensed partnership with Ancestry. It is expected they will be accessible online by March 2028.
Graves
The details of a soldier’s grave, or memorial if a person has no known grave, are held by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
Graves
The details of a soldier’s grave, or memorial if a person has no known grave, are held by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
Soldiers' wills
The wills of soldiers, who died whilst serving in the British Army between 1850 and 1986, are now available online via the gov.uk website (charges apply). 80% of these wills date from the First World War. Whilst many soldiers left detailed wills, others left no more than a brief written instruction and the name and address of their next of kin.
Soldiers' wills
The wills of soldiers, who died whilst serving in the British Army between 1850 and 1986, are now available online via the gov.uk website (charges apply). 80% of these wills date from the First World War. Whilst many soldiers left detailed wills, others left no more than a brief written instruction and the name and address of their next of kin.
War memorials
If the soldier you are researching was from the north east and died during the Second World War, then you should look at the North East War Memorials Project website. This project is working towards recording every war memorial in north east England from the main memorials in towns and villages to those small memorials found in schools, parish halls, factories and offices.
The North East War Memorials Project website includes the Memorial Website to 70th Infantry Brigade 1939-1944, which included 10th, 11th, and 12th DLI and 1st Tyneside Scottish battalions.
The Brigade website includes the full war diaries of the Brigade, the three Infantry battalions, and lists of those known to have served with those units. In addition, the list of units is intended to cover, eventually, all the supporting units which served with, or as part of, the Brigade Group – this has already included 187th Field Ambulance, the associated Field Hygiene Section, Engineer and Artillery Units – though there are more yet to document.
Those interested, or who have queries, can contact the lead researcher at 70brigade@newmp.org.uk.
The 70th Brigade website includes the facility to search for details of individual soldiers.
War memorials
If the soldier you are researching was from the north east and died during the Second World War, then you should look at the North East War Memorials Project website. This project is working towards recording every war memorial in north east England from the main memorials in towns and villages to those small memorials found in schools, parish halls, factories and offices.
The North East War Memorials Project website includes the Memorial Website to 70th Infantry Brigade 1939-1944, which included 10th, 11th, and 12th DLI and 1st Tyneside Scottish battalions.
The Brigade website includes the full war diaries of the Brigade, the three Infantry battalions, and lists of those known to have served with those units. In addition, the list of units is intended to cover, eventually, all the supporting units which served with, or as part of, the Brigade Group – this has already included 187th Field Ambulance, the associated Field Hygiene Section, Engineer and Artillery Units – though there are more yet to document.
Those interested, or who have queries, can contact the lead researcher at 70brigade@newmp.org.uk.
The 70th Brigade website includes the facility to search for details of individual soldiers.
Prisoners of war
During the Second World War, the International Committee of the Red Cross in Geneva collected information about those soldiers, including British soldiers, made prisoner of war. Because of their personal nature, however, these records are not open to the public.
Official records relating to British POWs are held by The National Archives and information about these records can be found in their guide to British prisoners of the Second World War and the Korean War.
A searchable index is available on Ancestry, called British Prisoners of War, 1939-1945.
Prisoners of war
During the Second World War, the International Committee of the Red Cross in Geneva collected information about those soldiers, including British soldiers, made prisoner of war. Because of their personal nature, however, these records are not open to the public.
Official records relating to British POWs are held by The National Archives and information about these records can be found in their guide to British prisoners of the Second World War and the Korean War.
A searchable index is available on Ancestry, called British Prisoners of War, 1939-1945.
DLI archive collection at The Story
The regimental archive of The Durham Light Infantry is owned by the Trustees of The Durham Light Infantry and cared for and made accessible by the Collections team at The Story.
This archive contains some very useful Second World War records covering the Regular and Territorial DLI battalions at home and abroad and also the Durham Home Guard. You can search the cataloguehere.
Enlistment and discharge books from 1920 onwards
These were transferred to the former DLI Museum by the Ministry of Defence, and then to the DLI Archive. They give a soldier’s army service number, but not the battalion they served in.
They do not contain as much information as individual service records held by the Ministry of Defence. They do not include officers.
The enlistment books cover 1920-1945 and record soldiers who enlisted or transferred in to the Durham Light Infantry. Up to the mid 1920s these enlistment books include details of any previous army service. After that the information they contain is brief.
The discharge books cover 1920-1958 and record soldiers who were discharged from or transferred out of the regiment. Information is usually brief, recorded in a single line entry.
The enlistment and discharge books are available to view digitally in our Search and Discover area at The Story.
War diaries for the 1st, 6th, 8th, and 9th Battalions DLI
These copy war diaries rarely mention a soldier by name, but are very useful for giving the circumstances of a soldier’s death or wounding, plus essential background information for any soldier’s career.
All the DLI’s original WW2 war diaries are held at The National Archives in Kew. Some of these diaries have been digitised and are available to download for free (with an account) from The National Archives, or available to browse on Ancestry.
DLI photograph albums
There are a number albums held at the archives at The Story dating from the Second World War (for example, for 2nd, 6th, 8th, 15th, and 70th Battalions DLI) but unfortunately most of the men in the photographs are unnamed. These can be viewed on our collections search and copies supplied for a fee.
Other DLI records
Other interesting Second World War records held at the archives include unpublished battalion histories, Regimental newsletters (including Prisoner of War lists, 1940 - 1943), maps, and soldiers' papers. More details are available in our online collections search.
DLI archive collection at The Story
The regimental archive of The Durham Light Infantry is owned by the Trustees of The Durham Light Infantry and cared for and made accessible by the Collections team at The Story.
This archive contains some very useful Second World War records covering the Regular and Territorial DLI battalions at home and abroad and also the Durham Home Guard. You can search the cataloguehere.
Enlistment and discharge books from 1920 onwards
These were transferred to the former DLI Museum by the Ministry of Defence, and then to the DLI Archive. They give a soldier’s army service number, but not the battalion they served in.
They do not contain as much information as individual service records held by the Ministry of Defence. They do not include officers.
The enlistment books cover 1920-1945 and record soldiers who enlisted or transferred in to the Durham Light Infantry. Up to the mid 1920s these enlistment books include details of any previous army service. After that the information they contain is brief.
The discharge books cover 1920-1958 and record soldiers who were discharged from or transferred out of the regiment. Information is usually brief, recorded in a single line entry.
The enlistment and discharge books are available to view digitally in our Search and Discover area at The Story.
War diaries for the 1st, 6th, 8th, and 9th Battalions DLI
These copy war diaries rarely mention a soldier by name, but are very useful for giving the circumstances of a soldier’s death or wounding, plus essential background information for any soldier’s career.
All the DLI’s original WW2 war diaries are held at The National Archives in Kew. Some of these diaries have been digitised and are available to download for free (with an account) from The National Archives, or available to browse on Ancestry.
DLI photograph albums
There are a number albums held at the archives at The Story dating from the Second World War (for example, for 2nd, 6th, 8th, 15th, and 70th Battalions DLI) but unfortunately most of the men in the photographs are unnamed. These can be viewed on our collections search and copies supplied for a fee.
Other DLI records
Other interesting Second World War records held at the archives include unpublished battalion histories, Regimental newsletters (including Prisoner of War lists, 1940 - 1943), maps, and soldiers' papers. More details are available in our online collections search.
Regimental histories
Some regiments produced histories of their units. Those that cover the DLI during the Second World War include David Rissik, The D.L.I. at War, The History of the Durham Light Infantry, 1939-1945, and SGP Ward’s Faithful: The Story of The Durham Light Infantry. Some battalion histories have been written by local historians.
If you know the regiment and battalion in which the soldier served, then the battalion’s history, if published, may provide you with the background to his service and the circumstances and location of a soldier’s death or wounding. Some battalion histories also contain detailed maps and photographs.
Regimental histories
Some regiments produced histories of their units. Those that cover the DLI during the Second World War include David Rissik, The D.L.I. at War, The History of the Durham Light Infantry, 1939-1945, and SGP Ward’s Faithful: The Story of The Durham Light Infantry. Some battalion histories have been written by local historians.
If you know the regiment and battalion in which the soldier served, then the battalion’s history, if published, may provide you with the background to his service and the circumstances and location of a soldier’s death or wounding. Some battalion histories also contain detailed maps and photographs.
Listen to the soldier
For over twenty years, the Imperial War Museum recorded interviews with DLI veterans from the Second World War. These recordings cover every campaign fought by the Durhams from 1940 to D-Day and the final victory in Berlin in 1945.
These recordings provide listeners with a unique insight into what it was really like to be an infantryman during the Second World War as veterans reflect on their experiences from recruitment to active service and as prisoners of war.
The recordings can be listened to in full on the Imperial War Museums website, searching by name of soldier.
Listen to the soldier
For over twenty years, the Imperial War Museum recorded interviews with DLI veterans from the Second World War. These recordings cover every campaign fought by the Durhams from 1940 to D-Day and the final victory in Berlin in 1945.
These recordings provide listeners with a unique insight into what it was really like to be an infantryman during the Second World War as veterans reflect on their experiences from recruitment to active service and as prisoners of war.
The recordings can be listened to in full on the Imperial War Museums website, searching by name of soldier.
Other sources
There are many other sources – some less obvious – held in record offices and local history libraries that may help you research the soldier. For example, in our archives there are business’ rolls of honour, parish magazines, school and college records, plus correspondence concerning local war memorials.
Useful Websites
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Other sources
There are many other sources – some less obvious – held in record offices and local history libraries that may help you research the soldier. For example, in our archives there are business’ rolls of honour, parish magazines, school and college records, plus correspondence concerning local war memorials.
Useful Websites
Commonwealth War Graves Commission