
Records of Australian servicemen and women who served in World War I in the first Australian Imperial Force (AIF) are preserved in the National Archives. The collection of first AIF personnel dossiers includes records of service in the:
The service personnel dossiers of men and women who served during World War I are held in series B2455. The table below lists this series as well as another useful series containing applications to enlist in the Australian Imperial Force.
| Series title | Date range | Series number | Location | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | First Australian Imperial Forces personnel dossiers (World War I service records)* | 1914–20 | B2455 | Canberra | Online copies available on RecordSearch |
![]() | Applications to enlist in the Australian Imperial Force | 1915–18 | MT1486/1 | Items listed on RecordSearch |
* Main record of service
World War I service records usually contain the following documents:
Defence service records do not contain detailed information about the actions and battles the person was involved in, nor do they contain a day-by-day account of their life in the services. To find more records about a person’s service, see Fact Sheet 177 – Defence service records for World War I and World War II.
All World War I service records (series B2455) have been digitised and are available to view online.
You can purchase a photocopy of any World War I service record. First locate the entry for the record using NameSearch (see above). When you have found the entry, use the ‘Request copy’ button, then order and pay online using our secure eCommerce facility.
Costs are:
The colour photocopy will be posted to you in a presentation folder, with an information sheet to help you interpret the abbreviations and terminology used in the records.
You can view a World War I service record in the National Archives Canberra reading room.
To view an original record, please contact us at least 5 working days in advance so we can ensure it is available.
Information about medal entitlements is available from:
Defence Honours and Awards
T–1–49, Department of Defence
Canberra ACT 2600
Phone: 1800 111 321
Email: honoursandawards@defence.gov.au
Website: www.defence.gov.au/medals
For information about WWI Army medals, send a copy of the WWI service record with your written inquiry.
For more information on Army records see:
You can also browse one of our other fact sheets on defence, armed services and war.