Service records

The table below lists the different World War II service records we hold.

Collection references

	Series title	Date range	Series number
	Second Australian Imperial Forces personnel dossiers*	1939–47	B883
	Citizen Military Forces personnel dossiers*	1939–47	B884
	Lists of Army personnel (Australian Military Force and Second Australian Imperial Force)	1940–45	A828

* Main records of service

What’s in World War II Army service records?

The records created by the Army during WWII typically comprise a set of forms:

• attestation (enlistment) form – sets out personal details such as age, next of kin and former occupation
• service and casualty form (Form B103) – records information about units and postings, injuries and disciplinary charges
• discharge form that summarises the person's service – not included in all cases
• head-and-shoulders photograph – may be included
• other documents or correspondence – occasionally included

Find and view a World War II service record online

Some online copies of World War II service records already exist.

1. Go to NameSearch.
2. Enter the family name of the service person – make sure it is the name used at enlistment.
3. Select ‘World War II’ from the dropdown menu.
4. Search.
5. Display the results of your search. If there are too many, you can refine this search result, and then enter the person’s given names and/or service number.
6. Use the link to ‘View digital copy’. You can also print a copy of the record.

Purchase a copy

You can purchase an online copy or a colour print copy of a World War II service record.

Online copy

If you order an online copy:

• an image of each page of the record will be made available for public viewing in our online collection database, RecordSearch
• we will notify you by email (if you have provided an email address) when an online copy is available for viewing.

The cost of an online digital copy is:

• AU$16.50 (including GST) for purchases within Australia
• AU$15 (GST-free) for purchases made outside Australia

Colour print copy

If you order a colour print copy:

• a colour print copy of the record will be mailed to you in a presentation folder, and
• at no additional cost, an online copy of the record will be made available for public viewing in our online collection database, RecordSearch.

The cost for a colour print copy is:

• AU$25 (including GST) for purchases within Australia
• AU$28 (GST-free) for purchases made outside Australia

To purchase an online copy or a colour print copy:

• first locate the item using NameSearch (see above)
• use the ‘Request copy’ button
• complete your order using our secure eCommerce facility

View an original record

You can view a World War II service record in the National Archives Canberra reading room.

There are still many WWII service records that require clearance before they can be publicly viewed. If you wish to view a service record, you will need to contact us at least four weeks ahead of your visit. Please remember to indicate whether the service person is living or deceased when making your request.

Other contacts

Medals

Information about medal entitlements is available from:

Pension information and entitlements

Veterans' Affairs Network
Tel: 1300 551 918

Further information

For more information on Army records see:

• Sources of information about military service
• Army service records
• Defence service records for WWI and WWII 

You can also browse one of our other fact sheets on defence, armed services and war.

It is also worth checking the WWII nominal roll on the Department of Veterans’ Affairs website.