Below is the address for Australian records, which are available for FREE in public domain, unlike UK. However, not all have been digitised as yet. Navigating your way around the site is a little awkward, be prepared for new boxes to open... RecordSearch - National Archives of Australia Record search Click "Search Now" -as a guest user Under general search click "Name Search" Enter surname and select a category from the drop down menu, eg WWWII and Click search List appears. Icon for digital image will appear beside records, if they are available. Click on it to view the record. If not available, then you can request record for a small fee. Follow the proceedures and be prepared to state why you are requesting the records. You will be emailed as soon as you complete application, chose method of transfer [image/hard copy] and payment [very reasonable] and I got records in less time than stated. [WWI records can also be accessed through this great site. One day I will get around to searching their photo archives also.] A search for records eg medals, etc can be done at the Australian War Memorial Research a person Australian WWII War Diaries - free but incomplete Australian Army war diaries - Second World War dbf
I used this to look u[ the history of a WW2 RAAF relative of my wifes and found 70 pages of digital info! Excellent, thanks for posting...
very very helpful! I've just found one of 'my' WW1 13th Essex chaps who emigrated to Australia and lied about his age to sign up! many thanks for sharing the intel
Hi all All WW1 names are accessable free, but unless someone has paid for a WW2 person you have to pay ($16.50 for net access or $25 for that and colour copies of records posted to you). Once paid for then anyone can access that record. Not the easiest to search but great to look at the original documents in colour. regards Robert
Hi all Also the WW2 Nominal Roll is here- World War Two Nominal Roll Useful for abbreviated record regards Robert
I found the National Archives Australia (NAA) service outstanding. After submitting my application for the records of an RAAF seviceman who died with my uncle, I had over 70 pages sent to me in under two weeks. Good value, good service and the record is now digitised for all to see on-line. Rafferty.
A wee bit of a resurrection for this link, but I found it very useful in tracking down a Liverpool Regiment soldier from WW1 who emigrated to Australia in the 1920's and served with the Australian Army in WW2. Thanks Diane.
Does anyone have experience in applying for/receiving Australian Army service records for WW2? I was wondering if the format was similar to the British version, enlistment papers, postings, next of kin details, medal awards etc.
The best answer may be to check out a couple of files that have been digitised by the NAA - VX5286 is one example. Just go to the NAA website (www.naa.gov.au) and type his service number into the search box in the top RH corner. Service records for Aussie soldiers never seem that large, usually around 10 pages - sometimes up to 20 but only on rare occasions. http://ww2talk.com/forums/topic/55391-remembering-today-291042-private-gwfinch-vx5286-australian-infantry-aif-223-bn/ PS - and definitely follow the advice from Bofors at post #5 - before looking for a WW2 serviceman at the NAA go to the nominal roll and check their details. It is the best place to confirm their full name and get their service number. Once you have that searching NAA records and the AWM gets a lot simpler. The nominal roll has a very good search function and you can print out a neat looking certificate of service.
Thanks DaveB, I found Finch's records on line, 8 pages in all, including a photo of him, very impressed. My man is available, but not to view online, so I will have to apply for his records, which seems a straightforward process. Here: http://www.ww2roll.gov.au/Veteran.aspx?serviceId=A&veteranId=94750 http://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/DetailsReports/ItemDetail.aspx?Barcode=4631971&isAv=N Cheers for the help. Steve
Very impressed with the Australian Archives, I received 12 pages of information on my man, plus photographs. He was a bit of a rogue it seems, but it all adds to his story, which I can now run from his WW1 service with the Liverpool Regiment, emigration in 1923, settlement and WW2 service in Cairns, Queensland. This took just over 7 weeks to come through, but with clear and regular updates. I am still waiting however, for a response to an enquiry from our IWM which I sent way back in November last year.
It's true Lesley. I've been researching since 2007, the Australians and Americans have the correct outlook in terms of archive material and access/sharing. I believe our equivalents are a tad over-protective, although I understand some of the copyright issues concerned. You only have to look at the mess the IWM seem to be in presently.
