Why can researching WWII ancestors be so challenging? Military Genealogist Simon Pearce tackles the question and provides advice on how to make meaningful discoveries. Intro Many of us have family members who…
Tag: Royal Air Force
Story behind the image: smoke floats and WWII rescues
In the above photo, munitions workers at a factory in the south of England stack smoke floats for aircraft in October 1941, ready for despatch. These curious-looking items played an important role…
Researching a WWII prisoner of war: how our Allied Prisoners of War, 1939-1945 collection can help you
Was your ancestor one of the hundreds of thousands of Allied prisoners captured during the Second World War? Discover details about their time as a prisoner with our WWII, Allied Prisoners of…
Operation Chastise – Dambusters WW2 80th Anniversary
Dambusters 80th Anniversary The 16th May 2023 marks the 80th anniversary of the Dambusters Raid, also known as Operation Chastise. An attack on the major dams of western Germany using the bouncing…
Researching British WWI Ancestors: Part II
In our second instalment of Researching British WWI Ancestors, Forces War Records (FWR) Military Genealogist Simon Pearce delves deeper into the collections available to our subscribers. My previous blog focused on getting…
Researching British WWI Ancestors: Part I
Our Military Genealogist, Simon Pearce, shows you how to start researching British WW1 ancestors. Researching your WW1 ancestors’ military service is a rewarding and exciting part of family history. Knowing where to…
New Collection Release: Air Ministry – Casualty Communiques WWII
An exciting ‘new’ collection of records has been added to the Forces War Records database that may contain your WW2 Royal Air Force ancestor
‘RAF100’ – A centenary of the Royal Air Force
Founded on April 1st, 1918 during the First World War, the RAF is the oldest independent air force in the world. Today our nation will come together to recognise 100 years’ worth of innovation, comradeship, dedication, sacrifice and achievements. READ MOR
Sealion – What if Germany had invaded Britain in 1940?
What could have happened had Hitler’s Operation Sealion been launched following the successful destruction of the RAF during the Battle of Britain
Tommies, Pommies, Redcoats and Limeys
Humorous and Historical nicknames for British Forces over the years.