Researching WW2 Armed Forces & Civilian Casualties (General)

by HarryBrook , Friday, February 01, 2013, 09:18 (4308 days ago) @ Jefff

Deaths in WW2 for Army, Royal Air Force, and Royal Navy personnel were registered in a similar way to civilian deaths. One can assume a certificate was issued to the nominated next of kin.

Copies of such death certificates can be obtained from the General Register Office in the usual way. Name, rank, age, and service number are stated, but of necessity details of cause of death would be brief, such as - killed in action. Likewise the exact place of death would not be stated.

The deaths are recorded in indexes - G.R.O. War Death Indices Army Other Ranks (1939-1948), ditto Officers (1939-1948), R.A.F. All Ranks (1939-1948), Royal Navy Ratings (1939-1948) and Royal Navy Officers (1939-1949). Merchant Navy is a bit trickier being under BT334 Registers and indexes of Birth, Marriages and Deaths of Passengers and Seamen at Sea (No doubt trickier to order a copy too). Royal Marines come under Royal Navy.

The indexes can be searched on findmypast in the Military section, "Armed Forces Deaths ...." to obtain the necessary reference numbers.