Additions and Amendments to the Honour Rolls

The Memorial takes very seriously its responsibility in managing the Roll of Honour and Commemorative Roll and ensuring they record the sacrifice made by Australians in war and on military operations. The accuracy of the data contained in the Honour Rolls is important to us, and we invite you to contact us in respects to potential amendments or additions to the Honour Rolls.

Additions and amendments to the Memorial’s Roll of Honour and Commemorative Roll must meet eligibility criteria and be approved by the Memorial’s Director and Council. The research and approval process takes some time, as we receive a large number of requests each year. The research process is greatly assisted when evidence is provided at the same time a request is made. The official documentary evidence required is outlined below.

How do I request an addition to the Roll of Honour or Commemorative Roll?

Questions of eligibility for the Roll of Honour and Commemorative Roll are determined solely by the Memorial’s Council. Please read the eligibility criteria for the Roll of Honour and the eligibility criteria for the Commemorative Roll prior to making a request for addition to these Rolls. Evidence that an individual meets the eligibility criteria is required.  

Roll of Honour:

For addition to the Roll of Honour, requests must be accompanied by proof of service in the Australian armed forces (service record), proof of date of death, and for deaths which occurred after an individual’s discharge, a death certificate.

Information on how to obtain personal service records for Australian service can be found here: https://www.awm.gov.au/research/guide/service-records

Death certificates can be purchased from the relevant State office of Births, Deaths, and Marriages. More information can be found here: http://www.naa.gov.au/collection/fact-sheets/fs89.aspx

Commemorative Roll:

For addition to the Commemorative Roll, requests must be accompanied by proof that the individual was born in Australia, or have had Australia as his or her last place of residence, in the form of a birth certificate, birth registry index, or electoral roll. Requests must also be accompanied by proof of service in an Allied armed force, philanthropic organisation, Merchant navy, munitions work, or Air Transport Auxiliary, or official accreditation as an official war correspondent, artist, or photographer, and proof of date of death, or for deaths after discharge a death certificate.

Birth certificates can be purchased from the relevant State office of Births, Deaths, and Marriages. More information can be found here: http://www.naa.gov.au/collection/fact-sheets/fs89.aspx 

Information on how to obtain service records for overseas service can be found here: https://www.awm.gov.au/research/guide/service-records-overseas

Please note that service records for British personnel in the Second World War are held by the relevant service organisations, and can only be obtained by an individual’s next of kin. 

Records for Australian Merchant Navy, Australian munitions workers and some philanthropic organisations, such as the YMCA, are held by the National Archives of Australia. Information on how to access these records can be found here: http://www.naa.gov.au/collection/using/index.aspx

How do I request an amendment to a name or unit on the Roll of Honour or Commemorative Roll?

Errors in names:

It is the Memorial’s policy to record individuals under their true birth name on the Roll of Honour and Commemorative Roll. Requests for amendments to a name on the Roll of Honour or Commemorative Roll must be accompanied by an individual’s birth certificate. When an individual is recorded on the Roll of Honour or Commemorative Roll under an alias name, documentary evidence which links the birth certificate to the individual is required, e.g. a statutory declaration.

Birth certificates can be purchased from the relevant State office of Births, Deaths, and Marriages.  More information can be found here: http://www.naa.gov.au/collection/fact-sheets/fs89.aspx

Errors in units:

Requests for amendments to a unit recorded on the Roll of Honour or Commemorative Roll must be accompanied by an individual’s service record, and official documentation of the individual’s last unit.

Information on how to obtain service records for Australian service can be found here: https://www.awm.gov.au/research/guide/service-records

Information on how to obtain service records for overseas service can be found here: https://www.awm.gov.au/research/guide/service-records-overseas

I’m having difficulty using your online form. Is there an alternative?

If you are having difficulty with the forms, or your request relates to dates or places in Honour Rolls records, you can contact us at HonourRolls@awm.gov.au