Nominal rolls for most Victorian and NSW Boer War units and some units from other States are available on microfilm in all National Archives of Australia reading rooms.
Attestation forms for about a third of the approximately 15,000 who saw Boer War service (mainly those who saw service in Commonwealth battalions following Federation) are held by the National Archives in series B4418. Digital copies may be viewed on the RecordSearch database. See also Fact Sheet 67 – Boer War records.
The National Archives holds the service records for members of the First Australian Imperial Force, Australian Flying Corps, Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force, Royal Australian Naval Bridging Train, the Australian Army Nursing Service, Depot records for recruits who would have served overseas if the war had not ended, and home records for those who served within Australia. Digital copies may be viewed on RecordSearch. Photocopies of these records cost AU$25 and can be ordered online or by contacting the National Archives (contact address below).
The National Archives holds service records for Australians who served during World War II in the Australian Army, the Royal Australian Air Force, and the Royal Australian Navy. Photocopies of these records cost AU$25 and can be ordered online or by contacting the National Archives (contact address below).
Service records for more recent campaigns, including Korea, Malaya and Vietnam are still held by the Department of Defence. Records over 30 years old can be obtained through the National Archives. Contact ref@naa.gov.au
Service records and attestation papers for 1901 to 1940 are held by the Archives' office in Melbourne. Digital copies of the attestation papers may be viewed on the RecordSearch database.
Service cards are held for RAN service between 1911 and 1970. Digital copies of cards for officers and most sailors may be viewed on RecordSearch.
To ask about obtaining copies of service records, contact the National Archives as follows:
National Archives of Australia
PO Box 7425
Canberra BC ACT 2610
Tel: 1300 886 881
Fax: 1300 886 882
Email: ref@naa.gov.au
See also:
Inquiries about medal entitlements for service in the Australian forces should be directed to the Defence Honours and Awards. Contact details as follows:
Defence Honours and Awards
T-1-49
Department of Defence
Canberra ACT 2600
Tel: 1800 111 321
Email: honoursandawards@defence.gov.au
Website: www.defence.gov.au/medals/
Substantive inquiries must be in writing. For information about WWI Army medals, send a copy of the WWI service record with your enquiry.
Former serving members or their next-of-kin who have particular questions about their service should contact:
Soldier Career Management Agency
PO Box 393
Melbourne VIC 3001
or
Personnel Records (RAN and RAAF)
Queanbeyan Annex 2
Department of Defence
Canberra ACT 2607
Records of courts martial from 1901 for each of the services are held by the National Archives in Canberra. Contact the National Archives at ref@naa.gov.au or at the postal address given under ‘Obtaining copies’ above.
For citations for most recommendations for honours and awards resulting from Australia's participation in all twentieth century conflicts, contact the Australian War Memorial at the address given below. The Memorial also has an extensive photographic collection, maps, films and books, and holds official Commonwealth records such as nominal rolls, embarkation rolls and unit diaries, and privately donated papers such as letters and diaries.
Australian War Memorial
Anzac Parade
Campbell ACT 2612
GPO Box 345
Canberra ACT 2601
Tel: (02) 6243 4315
Fax: (02) 6243 4545
Email: info@awm.gov.au
Website: www.awm.gov.au
Deaths of Australian service personnel on war service are generally not recorded by state authorities, but by the relevant arm of the Defence Force, which will issue certificates in cases where proof of death is required. See Fact Sheet 89 – Births, deaths and marriages for contact details.
Contact the Office of Australian War Graves at:
Office of Australian War Graves
PO Box 21
Woden ACT 2606
The Department of Veterans’ Affairs has prepared online databases that include the names of all who served with Australian forces in World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War.
Contact the Veterans' Affairs Network, Department of Veterans' Affairs, Tel: 1300 551 918
Contact the Army Personnel Centre, Historic Disclosures, Mailpoint 400, Kentigern House, 65 Brown Street, Glasgow, G2 8EX, United Kingdom.
The Military Historical Society will help to answer questions about military customs and traditions. Contact the Federal Secretary, Military Historical Society of Australia, PO Box 5030, Garran ACT 2605.
Comments or other feedback can be sent to archives@naa.gov.au
updated September 2007