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Personal Service Records (First World War)

Over 324,000 Australians served overseas in the War of 1914–18. Of these, nearly 60,000 died, 152,000 were wounded and 4,000 were taken prisoner. The service records of these servicemen and women are preserved in the Canberra office of the National Archives. The service records relate primarily to members of the First Australian Imperial Force. They include records of members of the:

• Australian Flying Corps
• Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force
• Royal Australian Naval Bridging Train
• Australian Army Nursing Service

Each service record usually consists of an attestation paper (name, next-of-kin, employment / trade details, marital status, age, place of birth, physical description and prior military service), a service and casualty form "Form B103" (this record details when and how a soldier was injured, where treatment was received, and movements and transfers between units), military correspondence and other information.

Copies of service records may be purchased by any member of the public.

Members of the 2nd Australian Division in the trenches in France – 1914–1918.
AWM EZ0007

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Order First World War service records:

• First World War Nominal Roll
  The First World War Nominal Roll provides basic information required to obtain the service record, together with a connection to the National Archives records service.
• First World War Service Record Request Form
  A link to the National Archives where copies of service records may be purchased by any member of the public.
• Roll of Honour and Commemorative Roll
  Search for names and other information about Australians who died in war.
• Commonwealth War Graves
  The Commonwealth War Graves Commission register shows place of burial or commemoration.
• Information about medals
  Inquiries relating to medal entitlement, confirmation of the original issue of medals, replacement of lost medals.
• First World War reading list and information sheet
  A bibliography of recommended books on the First World War and information sheet describing records relating to the First World War.
• Australian involvement in war and conflict - First World War 1914-1918
  Text from the Memorial's web site briefly describing Australian involvement in the First World War.
• Trenches on the web
  International First World War history reference site.

France, December 1916. Australians outside their shelter in the ruins of a Somme village, using a steel helmet to scrape off the winter mud from their clothes.
AWM E00022