Embarkation Records of Servicemen WWI

With over 6 million British Service Men serving abroad during the Great War, transporting the troops was a considerable undertaking. Recording their movement was a necessity, especially considering the range of their destinations – these records include ports ranging such as Sierra Leone, Karachi or New Brunswick.

Specifically this collection comprises of the data recorded in Army Form B.126, which detailed all men boarding the particular ship, and was signed off under the authority of both the Officer commanding troops aboard the ship and the officer superintending the embarkation. Whilst most only name officers, there are occasionally forms which include other ranks.

The records provide details such as the name of the ship in which they sailed aboard, as well as also giving a precise date for the movement - both of which is information unlikely to be found anywhere else. The records cover the duration of the First World War.

Occasionally records of wives or other family members are included, in which case the record has been entered under the name of the serving family member.

Records in this collection are likely to include the following:

• Surname
• Initials
• Rank
• Regiment
• Battalion or Sub-Unit
• Date of Embarkation
• Date of Sailing
• Place of Embarkation
• Destination
• Name of ship

Please be aware that due to the way we collate, and cross reference our databases, some records will contain more information than that listed above.

Original Source: National Archives reference WO25