Military Collection
About the Military Collection
The material in the Military Collection focuses on the British Army from the earliest times to the present day, with particular emphasis placed on the last 300 years, and with a substantial coverage of World Wars I and II. The Collection also includes a wide range of Regimental and Divisional histories, as well as extensive material on battles, campaigns and wars. There are also sections on biographies, genealogical sources, military theory and defence studies, weapons and weapons systems, uniforms and medals.
The run of Army Lists stretches back to the early 1800s, with more complete coverage from the 1850s onwards. Also held are the CD-ROMs listing all the soldiers who died in the First World War and the Army Roll of Honour for the Second World War. This can be searched in a variety of ways including name, Regiment, date of death, etc. We can print out a facsimile copy of the Scroll of Remembrance which would originally have been presented to the next of kin of the deceased – the price for this is £2.50 including postage.
The majority of the stock is lending, but there are large Reference only sections, such as the Regimental Histories, the Army Lists and the various Periodicals held. The entire Collection is housed in it’s own separate room, on the first floor of the Library, and study facilities are available there. A lift has recently been installed for ease of access
We welcome enquiries and can offer advice and referrals to other suitable sources.
Please note: we do not hold personnel records and are unable to undertake detailed military related family history searches.
Websites recommended by Library Staff
- Aldershot Military Museum
- Modern Army Corps and Regiments
- Medals - current and eligibility
- Service records - current and applications for
- Military Museums Full UK listing
- National Army Museum
- Imperial War Museum
- Defence Image database (MOD)
- MOD Art Collection (war paintings etc)
- London, Edinburgh and Belfast Gazettes Online
- MOD Annual Reports, Defence papers
- Statistics (Defence Analytical Services Agency)
- MOD Departments Agencies and Establishments
Memorials
- Commonwealth War Graves Commission
- Debt of Honour Register - searchable database
- Armed Forces Memorial searchable database
General History
- Victorian Era - military photographs, postcards, carte de visite etc
- Army Children Archive - lives and times of army children
