On the 19th of August, 1942, over 1,000 Canadian and British soldiers lost their lives. Vital lessons were learned for the Normandy raid… but was the sacrifice worth it?
Temporary Captain Ernest Gordon’s Story – Prisoner, Evader, Survivor
Continuing our run up to a new collection release tomorrow, we’re following the story of Temporary Captain (War Substantive Lieutenant) Ernest Gordon, who was captured at Singapore and came within inches of death, surviving only thanks to the care of two
Story of Marcus McDilda – Kempeitai Torture – WW2 FEPOW
We’ve got a brand new collection of records coming out on the eve of #VJDay, the 14th of August. As a little taster check out our blog and read about one of the men who could testify to the horrors of being an Allied FEPOW under the Japanese: Marcus McDil
Imperial Prisoners Of War Held In Japan – WW2 POW Records
For the first time ever, the National Archives’ 56,000+ WO 392 ‘British Prisoners of War held in Japan or Japanese Occupied Territory’ collection is available in its entirety online for quick and easy searching. Is your PoW ancestor in our ‘’Imperial Pris
Chemical Warfare in the Great War
On this day, 31st July, the Battle of Passchendaele began in 1917. During this skirmish, the deadly and much feared mustard gas would first see use.
Getting started researching your military ancestor
As the First World War soldiers have sadly passed away, with Henry John ‘Harry’ Patch being the last to go, aged 111, in July 2009. Now every day the papers seem filled with reports of Second World War veterans passing away too, and it’s time to ask about
Find out more about your Channel Islands ancestor
The Germans kept meticulous records of the population of the occupied Channel Islands. Read on to find out where you can peruse the Jersey records online, and how else you can find information about your Channel Islands relative.
1917, First Battle of the Scarpe, the successful beginning of the Arras Offensive
Meticulous planning achieved a resounding win for the Commonwealth Forces, but the first day of the battle showed that there were still lessons to be learned.
Life as a German POW at Stalag Luft III
Forget the Great Escape; what was the run-of-the-mill, day to day life like for the prisoners at Stalag Luft III? Read on to find out.
April 2nd 1982 – Argentina invaded the Falkland Islands
If you ever speak to an Argentinian about the Falklands War, be prepared to disagree. Was Britain an innocent party protecting its territory from a hostile invasion? Or was Argentina, by landing on ‘Las Malvinas’, only moving to reclaim its rightful prope