Civilian Forces Research

In addition to those who served in the armed forces, I also provide information on those who either stayed on the home front or aided the military in some support capacity.  Perhaps your ancestor was a nurse tending the injured on the battlefield or a munitions worker who provided much needed shells for the front.  Your ancestor may have been a member of the home guard or some other civilian defence force.  Whatever your ancestor's role during times of conflict I can help you gain some context to their work and provide the missing information you may be seeking.

During the First World War millions of those who were ineligible for military service signed up to help the war effort in other ways.  This included roles as Special Constables, factory workers, nurses and military support services.  There were a whole range of duties which the population signed up for during this period and as a result there are many records relating to the people themselves and the types of work they carried out. 

In the Second World War there was a greater risk of invaision than in the First World War.  As a result the British Government formed many branches of a civil defence force which included the Home Guard, Air Raid Wardens and Anti-Aircraft Batteries.  As in the First World War there were millions of nurses, doctors and other support staff which joined the armed services on campaign.  Industry geared up for war production and millions joined the factories, mines and munitions works to do their bt for the war effort.

 There were also those who turned against the tide of war hysteria and chose not to fight.  There are many records pertaining to Conscientious Objectors including the Military Tribunals they faced.  If your ancestor was one of the many who decided against taking part in conflict, I can aid you in finding out more about this period in their life.