Instant army service number lookup for almost 200 units. No subscription required.

Explore Military Service Records by Number or Unit

Colourised portrait of a British Army soldier from the First World War, showing period uniform and cap badge.

WWI: Search by Service Number or Battalion

Perform a free WW1 service number lookup to potentially identify when a soldier "took the King’s shilling." Our engine decodes prefixes and renumbering phases to provide the true army service number meaning. If the number is unknown, search by Battalion to discover enlistment patterns and recruitment hotspots for specific units.

Colourised WWI British soldier in service dress, representing a typical First World War enlistment.

WWII: Search by Service Number or Regiment

The 1920s renumbering changed the game. Use the Explorer for a free army serial number lookup across all numbered WW2 army serial numbers. You can search by individual service number or by Regiment and Corps to help you understand the allocation blocks and service history of the Second World War.

Unrivalled Regimental Data

74 WWI Infantry Regiments | All Numbered WWII Regiments & Corps

Built on extensive Regimental and Corps logic and provided entirely for free. The Explorer helps you understand the unique numbering systems of the British Army. Perhaps you are researching a specific army serial number lookup for the London Regiment, King's (Liverpool Regiment), or Northumberland Fusiliers? Maybe you are tracing a soldier in the General Service Corps, Manchester Regiment or the Royal Engineers? Our database provides verified historical context to guide your search.

Painting of a cricket wicket-keeper concentrating behind the stumps, used as a visual separator on a research website.

"Whether I'm painting a battlefield or cricket ground, I try and capture the story behind the picture. That's  exactly what British Army Service Numbers does with research. They don't just find the crucial facts, they bring people's service to life in a way that's both moving and meaningful."

 

 Jack Russell MBE, England  wicketkeeper turned acclaimed war artist

Ready to uncover your family history for free?

Need a deeper investigation?

If your service number search reveals a complex history, the military research specialists at History Recon offer professional, bespoke research reports to reconstruct a soldier’s full service journey.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a free way to find a British Army service number from WWI?

Search the Explorer using numbers found on medals, Silver War Badges, or Medal Index Cards to find original unit details.

How do I read British Army service numbers and prefixes?

WWI numbers were regimental. Our tool decodes these sequences and prefixes (like 'R/' or 'S/') to reveal the army service number meaning.

Can I trace a soldier if I only know their WWI Battalion?

Yes. You can search by Battalion to see specific enlistment windows, even if the service record was one of the "Burnt Documents."

Where can I do a free army serial number lookup for WWII?

Input the 7 or 8-digit number into the Army Service Explorer. Our database covers all numbered WW2 army serial numbers and corps.

What is the difference between an army service number and a serial number?

While often used interchangeably, the Explorer helps you navigate the transition from the 1920s renumbering to the army serial number system used in WWII

Why do some service numbers give clearer results than others?

Some regiments had unique numbering blocks that allow for high-precision service number lookup, while others used more generalized sequences.

Technical Regimental and Corps Archives

While our search tool is designed for immediate results, we recognize that military research often requires a deeper dive into the original regimental ledgers and numbering patterns. For those looking to understand the technical methodology behind our estimations, we have curated specialized archives:

The Technical Hub

For an understanding of the historical sources and logic powering the Army Service Explorer tool.

WWI Infantry Regiment Library

Detailed breakdowns of the numbering "science," battalion structures, and complexities of each regiment.

WWII Regiment & Corps Library

An in-depth analysis of administrative history and unit identity of all who fought in the Second World War.

Contact us

If you have a research enquiry or wish to discuss army service number interpretation, you are welcome to get in touch.

British Home Guard soldiers lined up for weapon inspection during the Second World War, carrying Lee-Enfield rifles and wearing standard Home Guard uniform.

Every number has a story. What was once a piece of military administration is now your most direct connection to a soldier's path through the World Wars. Don't just look at the number, explore the service behind it for free.