Findmypast.co.uk has added 341,888 new records and 1,928,868 images to its Chelsea Pensioners British Army Service Records collection for the period 1901-1913.
This collection on Findmypast.co.uk contains records of men pensioned out of the British Army 1760-1913. The connection with ‘Chelsea Pensioners’ is that the pensions were administered through The Royal Hospital at Chelsea. This latest batch of records completes The National Archives’ WO97 series of this collection and brings the total number of Chelsea Pensioner records and images on findmypast.co.uk to 1,033,845 records and 6,131,443 images for the period 1760-1913.
For the first time online, in colour, you can now see Territorial Force attestations. The Territorial Force was formed in 1908 and so these men would not have appeared in earlier record releases.
Also for the first time, you can view – in colour – attestations for men who joined the Volunteer Service Companies during the Boer War. These men, who had previously served with Volunteer battalions, re-enlisted with these special volunteer service companies and served alongside regular soldiers in the regular regiments.
These records offer rich detail for each soldier. They are the next best thing to looking at a photo of your ancestor as they contain a detailed physical description of each soldier. You can expect to see an average of six or seven pages of detail for each soldier, including their signature.
These records are free to search, like all the records on Findmypast.co.uk. Even if you’re not sure that any of your ancestors could have been Chelsea Pensioners, try searching the records – your ancestor may have only served in the army for a brief period before they were pensioned out.
Still to come:
- WO96 1806-1915 500,000 3.5 million Sept 2011 (Militia records)
Looking for information on my maternal grandfather. Leonard Edward Baldwin of 78 Higer Temple Street, Chorlton-on-Medlock, Didsbury, England. He was in residence there 1925 for sure, maybe earlier. Saw a photo of him in uniform 1918? or earlier.
I also hope to find someone that has information on my grandmother Rose Annie BALDWIN (nee GIBSON?), who gave birth at the Withington Community Hospital (20 Nell Lane) to my mother Rose Anne BALDWIN on June 27, 1925.
Thank you in advance for any information or suggestions.
Yours sincerely
Dale Cornish