The National Archives Catalogue on Excel

Someone I know thought some of you may find these of help when researching files held at the National Archive at Kew. Just double click the black underlined description to bring up the spreadsheet.

Headquarters Papers

The records of the military Headquarters of each theatre of operation, and of the forces under their command, are the most important sources of information on the planning and conduct of military operations. The series concerned are:

British Expeditionary Force in France 1939-1940
View attachment WO 197 British Expeditionary Force in France 1939-1940.xls

North West Expeditionary Force in Norway 1940
View attachment WO 198 North West Expeditionary Force in Norway 1940.xls

Home Forces
View attachment WO 199 Home Forces.xls

Middle East Forces
View attachment 39182

Military Missions
View attachment WO 202 Military Missions.xls

Far East Forces including ABDA and SEAC
View attachment 39184

Allied Forces in North Africa, Italy and France 1942-1945
View attachment WO 204 Allied Forces in North Africa, Italy and France 1942-1945 Part 1.xls
View attachment WO 228 Allied Forces in North Africa, Italy and France 1942-1945 Part 2.xls

21st Army Group in Northern Europe 1943-1945
View attachment WO 205 21st Army Group in Northern Europe 1943-1945 Part 1.xls
View attachment WO 229 21st Army Group in Northern Europe 1943-1945 Part 2.xls

SHAEF
View attachment WO 219 SHAEF.xls

North African and Mediterranean Theatres: Maps
View attachment WO 234 North African and Mediterranean Theatres Maps.xls

East Africa Command
View attachment 39194

Combined Operations
View attachment DEFE 2 Combined Operations.xls

 

Hello Mrs Drew, and welcome onboard, and too your 1st post.... Thanks for taking the time out to show Andy what can be done with a computer....

P

 

Hi Andrea and welcome.

Never thought I'd see you on here. A case of if you can't beat em join em I think.

I have met you and Barney before and having spent a weekend flying around the BEF area, I know what a complete nutcase he truly is.

Regards - Rob

 

Welcome, Andrea (you don't really need an introduction, do you).

Just noticed that the attached files are additional to the main headings and include NW Europe. Thank you for your efforts.

Andrew

 

Welcome to the forum Andrea

excellent work
thank you

 

Hello all, I have only uploaded part one of the headquarters papers held at Kew. I'm having difficulty uploading some of part 2 due to the size of some of the files. I have PM'd the Admin for assistance.

I'm currently working all the war diaries held at Kew at the moment. Andy tell's me these are the bread and butter files for your research so bare with me as some of them are rather large compared to the ones I have uploaded so far. I expect they will take at least few more weeks yet to complete.

 

Welcome Andrea, and thanks for those spreadsheets. You have just prompted me to arrange another trip to TNA!

Mike

 

Welcome and enjoy.!!! Is it a case of "can't beat 'em join 'em"?

 

668 Files on missing personnel from the BEF to the Far East.

Missing Persons
View attachment WO 361 Missing Persons.xls

 

Wow ! Now that is a very useful resource - many thanks indeed and well done, Andrea ! Just what I need just before I spend two days in Kew this week......although this will probably just mean I will need to come south a few more times ! Oh well...

 

[FONT=&quot]Welcome to the forum

[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Cheers
Paul [/FONT]

 

Hi Andrea, nice to have you with us

Thanks for all the work you're doing.

Cheers
Wendy

 

Headquarters Papers are now all in the first post.

Thank you Adam.

 

All units and formations of battalion size and above, and smaller units operating independently, maintained a daily record of events, often with appendices of signals and orders. These War Diaries are arranged by Command, following the Order of Battle:

War Office Directorates
View attachment WO 165 War Office Directorates.xls

Home Forces
View attachment WO 166 BEF Home Forces v2.xls

British Expeditionary Force
View attachment WO 167 BEF War Diaries.xls

North-West Expeditionary Force
View attachment WO 168 North-West Expeditionary Force.xls

Middle East Forces
View attachment WO 169 Middle East Forces.xls

Central Mediterranean Forces
View attachment WO 170 Central Mediterranean Forces.xls

North-West Europe
View attachment 39824

South-East Asia Command
View attachment WO 172 South-East Asia Command.xls

West Africa Forces
View attachment WO 173 West Africa Forces.xls

Madagascar
View attachment 39828

British North Africa Forces
View attachment WO 175 British North Africa Forces.xls

Various smaller theatres
View attachment 39830

Medical services
View attachment WO 177 Medical Units.xls

Military Missions
View attachment 39832

Dominion Forces
View attachment WO 179 Dominion Forces.xls

GHQ Liaison Regiment
View attachment 39834

Special Services
View attachment 39835

Ships Signals Sections
View attachment WO 257 Ships Signals Sections.xls

Royal Marine Commandos
View attachment 39837

 

Wow, absolutely excellent stuff! Welcome and many thanks for doing what the NA is seemingly incapable of doing themselves!

 

Just as a heads up for those that do not know. Once you have downloaded any of the Excel Spreadsheets you can search them by hitting the Ctrl and F keys. This will bring up a seach box. Alternatively you can scroll through the whole spreadsheet-I'm sure you'll find some interesting files this way as I have.

 

Welcome from the netherlands and thank you for this post found some interesting ones, which I will have a look at next time I am in Archives (very soon )

 

Awesome work.

 

Awesome work.

Totally agree with Peter.

 

Andrea great work

thank you