The Perth office of the National Archives holds a collection of pay and allotment history records for Western Australian enlistees to the Australian Army and the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). These records can be valuable sources of information for family and military history researchers. The records relate to service in World War I (Army), World War II (Army and Air Force) and the period since World War II (Army and Air Force).
Pay cards for World War I service contain the following information: name, regimental number, date of enlistment, rank, unit and the ship on which the member departed and returned to Australia. The name of an allottee (ie a person to whom a regular payment was made from the member's earnings) and relationship to the member may also be shown. The records, arranged alphabetically, are held in two series: those who returned, and those killed on active service.
Index cards and pay cards are held for WW II enlistees. The index cards are arranged alphabetically by surname and include name, regimental number, date of enlistment and discharge, and unit. As the index extends to 1963, it can also be used to access pay cards for enlistees since World War II. Pay cards for World War II service are arranged by regimental number (this can be located from the index cards) and show name, date of enlistment, regimental number, rank, and sometimes the name and address of an allottee. The cards are arranged into two categories: members of the 2nd AIF (WX prefix), and non-AIF personnel, including CMF and conscriptees (W prefix). Pay cards for those who spent time as prisoners of war are held separately.
Pay cards for Western Australian enlistees since World War II are held for the period 1945–63.
Index cards and pay cards are held for RAAF personnel. The index cards are arranged alphabetically by surname and provide only the service number. Pay cards are arranged by service number (obtained from the index card) and show name, date of enlistment and discharge, service number, rank, signature, and sometimes name and address of the allottee.
Pay cards for Western Australian enlistees since World War II are held for the period 1945–61. As there is no index to these records they are difficult to access unless the member's service number is known.
The National Archives holds the service records of those who served with the First AIF in World War I and those who served with the Army, Royal Australia Navy or the Royal Australian Air Force in World War II. Photocopies of Army and RAAF service records may be purchased for $25 per record (includes postage). Black and white photocopies of Navy service cards are provided free of charge.
Forward inquiries about these records to the Archives Defence Service Records service (see address below). In order to find the record you are after you will need to supply the full name and service number of the person, and (for World War II inquiries) advise if the person is still living.
Defence Service Records
National Archives of Australia
PO Box 7425
Canberra BC ACT 2610
Tel: 1800 886 881
Fax: (02) 6212 6280
Email:servicerecords@naa.gov.au
For further information relating to holdings of military service pay records see:
Fact Sheet 36 – Military records held in Hobart
Fact Sheet 132 – Army pay files held in Adelaide
Other fact sheets containing information about military service records are:
Victorian colonial service
Fact Sheet 134 – Colonial defence personnel records held in MelbourneNavy service
Fact Sheet 30 – Navy service records (general holdings)
Fact Sheet 31 – Navy crew and ships records
Fact Sheet 138 – Navy service records held in MelbourneArmy service
Fact Sheet 67 – Boer War records
Fact Sheet 136 – Army service recordsRAAF service
Fact Sheet 32 – RAAF service recordsInformation covering all services
Fact Sheet 54 – Veterans' case files
Fact Sheet 63 – Sources of information about military service
Fact Sheet 133 – Defence and service records held in Melbourne
You can obtain more information about the record series listed above (and the items within the series) from RecordSearch, the Archives database. Follow the links in the series lists to go directly to information on that series. You can also use RecordSearch to find out about the agencies that created the records and to locate more records on your subject. You might also explore PhotoSearch to find out if there are photos pertaining to your subject.
RecordSearch and PhotoSearch are available online or in all Archives reading rooms. Reference staff are available in the reading rooms to help you, or email ref@naa.gov.au.
Comments or other feedback can be sent to archives@naa.gov.au
updated August 2004
