Some records for the Royal Marines can be searched back to the 17th century. These searches deal with those from the late 18th century. Included are the Royal Marines Light Infantry as well as the Royal Marines Artillery, Royal Marines Band as well as those who served with the Royal Naval Division, Royal Marines Engineers etc during WW1. The fee will also include details of any campaign medals awarded in respect of an individual’s service.

Commissioned and Warrant Officers

In most cases a record of service for Commissioned Officers will be available for commissioned officers from an entry date of 1837 and Warrant officers from 1884. In general they are available to an entry date of c1923 and record service to retirement. These records will show details of promotions, postings along with dates, awards etc. Usually birth information is shown and often name and profession of their father. Later records, particularly early 20th century more detailed information can be included, for example notes of service in Gallipoli, the Western Front or Jutland. If a record has not survived or prior to 1837 other records such as ships Musters or Description books may reveal some information. Basic details can be extracted from the Navy List for all periods.

Other ranks

Most Marines can be traced back to the late 18th century. The amount of information available varies from case to case. Mostly an entry and discharge date can be obtained. If a Greenwich pensioner a record may be available. Details recorded are age on enlistment, place of birth and place of enlistment. Where a ship can be identified details may be extracted from ships Musters or Description books. From the 1830’s to 1883 most Marines will have available papers such as Enlistment, Discharge and service sheet. What is available does vary but most will show details of birth, enlistment and discharge. Some may not have all ships on which served, but it may be possible to obtain these from Muster’s etc.

In 1884 a numbering system was introduced where each Marine was allocated a personal number within their Division. From 1884 to 1925 a record will be available for most and show service to discharge. These records consist of two parts. Firstly the service registers which are one or two sheets detailing all personal information, promotions, character, medals, ships, postings etc.

In most cases if discharged prior to circa 1925 their actual record will be available often containing Attestation forms, service record and discharge. These often include conduct sheets, casualty forms, Hurts certificate, Gunnery certificates (RMA) plus a variety of forms and correspondence.

Please note that in the case of some service records after 1900 these may take a while to obtain as they are not held at the central archive. This is especially the case with some of the units raised for the RND during the First World War. You will be sent any records that are instantly available and the remainder will follow if available.

Later service – all ranks

For those whose service is not covered above the service records are still held by the Ministry of Defence. Veterans or deceased Veterans Next of Kin can apply for a copy of a service records via the Veterans Agency website at http://www.veterans-uk.info/

Whether or not you have an individual’s service record the following research can be undertaken -

Prisoners of War WW2 – Firstly for both prisoners of the Germans and Japanese there are Interrogation Questionnaires dating from 1945 -46. About 140’000 of these are available so there will not be one for every POW.

They include name, rank, number, unit, home address, date of birth, date and place of capture, camps held, and work camps. Any serious illnesses suffered during imprisonment and treatment received. Any interrogation after capture, escape attempts, sabotage etc.

In addition if a prisoner of the Japanese the original Japanese POW card is often available. This is part in English and part Japanese. These show name, unit, rank, service number, date of birth, date & place of capture (in Japanese), name and address of next of kin, camps held in (in Japanese)

If neither of these items are available for an individual there are also lists of POW’s published at various times which can be searched. These generally give camp held but no unit details and date of capture.

This search will also include (where available) copies of any operational records covering their ship or if RM Commando etc the War Diary entry for the time of capture.

Other research is available not covered above. If you are interested in a certain item or subject please give details on the enquiry form.