Source Information

Ancestry.com. UK, Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects, 1901-1929 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2014.

Original data: Soldiers' Effects Records, 1901–60. National Army Museum, Chelsea, London, England. The National Army Museum gives no warranty as to the accuracy, completeness or fitness for the purpose of the information provided. Images may be used only for purposes of research, private study or education. Applications for any other use should be made to: The National Army Museum, Royal Hospital Road, Chelsea, London SW3 4HT, Tel: 020 7730 0717.

About UK, Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects, 1901-1929

This database contains records detailing the money owed to soldiers of the British Army who died in service from 1901 to 1929. A small percentage of soldiers who were discharged as ‘insane’ are also listed here. Records typically include the name of the soldier, his next of kin and their relationship, the date of death and sometimes the place, plus other details. In cases where the soldier was discharged as insane, the place and date of discharge are often recorded in the place and date of death field. The inclusion of the next of kin makes these records particularly valuable to family historians, as this information can help researchers take a family back another generation or distinguish between soldiers with the same name. Early records also list a soldier’s trade before enlistment.

Payments went first to widows, or, if the soldier wasn’t married, to a parent (often a mother) or siblings.