Dundee family history website findmypast.co.uk has launched a new service giving the public access to millions of pages of military records.
The collection of Chelsea Pensioners’ Army Service Records, the most popular resource at London’s National Archives, are now set to become available to family history and wartime researchers online, at the click of a mouse.
Included are all the soldiers discharged from the British Army between 1760 and 1913, each of whom received a pension from The Royal Hospital, Chelsea.
Many of the personnel will have served in some of Britain’s most significant engagements including The Battle of Waterloo (1815), the Crimean (1853-1856) and both Boer Wars (1899-1902).
The photographic records of military papers also reveal an astonishing level of detail about recruits and their service history.
Each record includes at least four pages, and could total as many as 20.
Medical details, complexion, hair and eye colour are all included, alongside character details, service history, records of marriage, children’s names and baptisms.
A list of kit carried, details of conduct and other distinguishing features also help paint a vivid picture of the people behind the paperwork.
Debra Chatfield, the website’s marketing manager, said, “The Chelsea Pensioners’ British Army Service Records are a wonderful resource for family historians.
“Unlike many other military records, which often only provide information about officer class soldiers, these records are of ‘ordinary’ soldiers.”
More information is available at the findmypast website.