Skip to main content

Your family's military history

Learning more about your family's military history is a great way to honour their service.

Children with their ancestors medals

{{ controlText }}

New Zealand military service records

Records for service before 1921

Archives New Zealand will have all surviving New Zealand military service records from before 1921. This includes:

  • service during the Boer War (1899-1902)
  • service during the First World War (1914-1918)
  • those who were discharged from military service before 1921.

Digitised versions of the files can be downloaded free of charge from the Archives New Zealand Archway website. Access to the physical original military service files is restricted.

Archives New Zealand Archway(external link)(external link)

For more information visit the Archives New Zealand website.

Archives New Zealand(external link)

Records for service after 1921

Find out how to access records for service after 1921

Additional Information about individuals, including photographs, can also be found on the Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph website.

Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph website(external link)

British military service records

Records for service before 1921

The British National Archives hold the British military service records that served before 1921.

Find out how to access these records on the UK National Archives website(external link)

Records for service after 1921

British military service records from 1921 until the present day are retained by the UK Ministry of Defence.

Find out how to access these records on the UK Government website(external link)

Australian military service records

Records for service before 1945

The National Archives of Australia holds the Australian military records for those that served before 1945. This includes service during the:

  • Boer War (1899-1902)
  • First World War (1914-1918)
  • Second World War (1939-1945).

Digital copies of the files can be downloaded free of charge.

Find out how to access these files on the National Archives of Australia website(external link)

Records for service after 1945

Australian military service files for those that served after the Second World War are held by the Australian Department of Defence.

Find out how to access these files on the National Archives of Australia website(external link)