Forces War Records

Discover your military ancestors and their wartime stories with Forces War Records. Over 670 million global records.

[Forces War Records @F_W_Records]

While the name sounds harmless, this was a deadly piece of German trench mortar ammunition. Imagine the tension of the soldier who sat down to sketch this 'unexploded' drum, noting every detail for intelligence.

📜©The National Archives

[Forces War Records @F_W_Records]

It's International Nurses' Day, and we're giving thanks for the dedication and sacrifices of nurses, both past and present.

Do you have a nurse in your family tree? Feel free to share their names and stories; we always love hearing from you.

📷©Mirrorpix

[Forces War Records @F_W_Records]

Today is VE Day, and we give thanks and reflect on the service and sacrifices made by our family members during WWII. From the home front to overseas, the armed forces, volunteers and evacuees all played their part. Feel free to share their names or stories. 📸©Mirorrpix

[Forces War Records @F_W_Records]

📷Caption: After being bombed out from their historical home, Chelsea Pensioners are now safe and happy at a hospital in the Home Counties, where they are enjoying the sight of the countryside in full bloom. 21 May, 1941.

©Hulton Archive/Getty Images

[Forces War Records @F_W_Records]

Taken #OTD in 1944, this image from our Historical Documents Library captures Rear Gunner J Morgan inside his Lancaster Bomber 'D for Dog'. He was preparing for a raid on the railway yards at Juvisy-sur-Orge, near Paris. Explore the Documents Library: https://t.co/CVa0rBdT8C

[Forces War Records @F_W_Records]

Wishing everyone a happy Good Friday and a relaxing Bank Holiday weekend.

What are you hoping to research this weekend? Let us know in the replies.

📷 Sailors from a Royal Navy submarine enjoy their shore leave with bicycles, provided by Raleigh. 25 February 1944. ©Mirrorpix

[Forces War Records @F_W_Records]

On this Mother's Day, we honour and remember all the mother figures, past and present. Your love and guidance are forever cherished.

📷© Mirrorpix

[Forces War Records @F_W_Records]

March is Women's History Month, and we'd love to hear about the women in your family trees. Whether they served in the forces, volunteered on the home front, took in evacuees or came up with ingenious ways to cope with rationing, feel free to share their stories.

📷©Mirrorpix

[Forces War Records @F_W_Records]

@scruffy65 Thanks for pointing that out, Saskia. We used the exact caption from the original image, but it's good to know that going forward

[Forces War Records @F_W_Records]

Striking photo, taken #OTD in 1943.

📷 A Lockheed Ventura Mark I, of No. 21 Squadron RAF, flown by Warrant Officer L.L.G. Jones and crew, over the docks at Ijmuiden, Holland. ©Mirrorpix

[Forces War Records @F_W_Records]

@HistoryUnter @ThisDayInWWI Thank you for sharing his story. It's incredibnly poignant being able to put a face to a name.

[Forces War Records @F_W_Records]

Did your family member serve with the artillery during WWI? Reply with their stories and photos.

📷 Royal Field Artillery gunners digging an 18-pounder gun out of the mud, near Zillebeke, 9 August 1917, during the Passchendaele Offensive. ©Mirrorpix

[Forces War Records @F_W_Records]

📷’Somewhere in Sussex’, October 1939. ©Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Caption this photo.

[Forces War Records @F_W_Records]

Happy New Year, everyone.

Thank you to all of you for sharing your family stories, photos, and comments throughout 2025.

📷 Soldiers stationed in Belgium in late December 1944 haul a crate of beer, perhaps ready to celebrate New Year's Eve. ©Mirrorpix

[Forces War Records @F_W_Records]

🎄Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas.

📷 Soldiers serve Christmas dinner to children at a Christmas party at Greater Scotland Yard Recruiting Depot in December 1937. © Hulton Archive/Getty Images

[Forces War Records @F_W_Records]

📷 S/Sgt. Osso, of Hamilton, Ohio, playing Santa Claus, hands out presents to orphans and to the children of British forces at a Christmas party given by the soldiers of the Tactical Depot of the 9th Air Service Command. ©NARA: https://t.co/ZCjx3kU3kz

[Forces War Records @F_W_Records]

We were taken aback by this hand-drawn map in the WWI war diary of the 7th Bn East Surrey Regiment. The drawing depicts the town of Frelinghien in northern France in April 1915. Occupied by the Germans, it was 600 yards from the battalion's trenches. 📜© The National Archives

[Forces War Records @F_W_Records]

Lest we forget.

[Forces War Records @F_W_Records]

📷 A Scottish regiment at Gardiner's Battery in Gibraltar, c1867. ©Hulton Archive/Getty Images.

Explore our blog dedicated to researching Victorian-era military ancestors: https://t.co/cQTutRMo7z

[Forces War Records @F_W_Records]

Today marks the 80th anniversary of VJ Day and the end of WWII.

We remember the contributions made by everyone, military and civilians, at the front and at home, and give thanks for their sacrifices.

📷©Mirrorpix