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The majority of Archive material including photographs relating to the Somerset Light Infantry, Somerset and Cornwall Light Infantry (SCLI),the North Somerset Yeomanry and, to a lesser extent, the West Somerset Yeomanry is held by the Somerset Archive and Record Service on long term loan, along with a limited amount of archive material relating to the Somerset Militia (see contact details below). In addition to this material, the following is held at the Rifles Taunton Office for research purposes:
a. An extensive library which contains:
- The Regimental Histories.
- Other titles relating to The Somerset Light Infantry.
- Military history books of a more general nature.
- Army Lists (not complete).
- Regimental Journals.
b. lst World War Battalion War Diaries..
c. lst World War Battalion Muster Rolls [lst Battalion (complete), 6th and 7th Battalions (incomplete)]. The Rifles Office is happy to carry out research on any aspect of the histories of the County Regiments of Somerset, or for individuals to visit the Office to carry out research themselves (if the latter, by appointment please). The Office only has a limited ability to carry out research on individual officers or soldiers as it does not hold the personal records of those who served in the County Regiments. These are the property of the State. Those wishing to research personal records are advised in the first place to contact either the National Archives or Army Personnel Centre Historical Disclosures Section (see below).
Research by the Rifles Office is carried out on a voluntary basis and a research fee is not charged. However, a donation towards the Somerset military Museum, which is a Registered Charity (No. 1064932) is always most welcome (cheque/PO payable to Somerset Military Museum Trust). In the case of payment from overseas, this should be by bankers cheque in Pounds Sterling to be drawn on a UK bank or by Sterling notes. If you wish us to carry out research on your behalf, it would be appreciated if a first class stamp to help towards postage could be enclosed with your request. Please give as much information as possible including, if you know them, the indivdual's full name, date of birth, Regimental Number and Battalion designation.
The address of the Rifles Taunton Office is 14, Mount Street, Taunton, Somerset, TA1 3QE; Tel: 01823 333434; email: info@sommilmuseum.org.uk.
Click here to view research examples.
Other Sources of Information
Somerset Archive and Record Service (See above for archive material held) Somerset Record Office Obridge Road Taunton, TA2 7PU
National Archives (NA)
Ruskin Avenue
Kew
Richmond
Surrey TW9 4DU
Tel: 0208-876-3444
Web Site: www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
The NA holds the personal service records of soldiers and officers who served until 1920. Only a small percentage of the WW1 service records survive, the majority having been destroyed during WW2.
The NA also holds the following:
- Pay Lists.
- Muster Rolls.
- Records of pensioners of the Royal Hospital, Chelsea.
- Medal Rolls for campaigns between 1793 and 1904.
- Medal Index Cards (WO 372) and Medal Rolls (WO 329) for WW1, which lists the medals awarded to individuals and may confirm name, Army number, rank or Regiment, and the medal roll books in Regimental or unit order (1914 Star, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal and Silver War Badge.
- War Diaries for WW1 and WW2.
Army Personel Centre
HQ Secretariat
Historical Disclosures
Mail Point 400
Kentigern House
65 Brown Street
Glasgow G2 8EX
Tel: 0141 2243303/2023
The APC Historical Disclosures Section holds personal service records of soldiers and officers between 1921 and 1997. For ex-Army personnel, or their widows/widowers, It can supply statements of service or confirmation of particular aspects of service from the records it holds. This service is free. It can also provide the same service for members of the family or other members of the public, subject to the consent of the next of kin and the payment of a fee. |
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