Nature of Source
Service records of airmen serving with the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS), established in 1914. The airmen formed part of the Royal Navy and are therefore officially ratings with the records found amongst Royal Navy records.
For more details see Royal Navy Service Records (Ratings)
Those that joined on or after the creation of the RNAS in 1914 were issued with a service number prefixed with an ‘F’. Ratings who transferred from another service into the RNAS retained their original service numbers and may have been given a different prefix or none at all.
The Royal Air Force was founded in 1918 following the amalgamation of the Royal Naval Air Service (established 1914) and the Royal Flying Corps (established 1912).
Post-1920 Service Records
Service records for all ranks who served after 1920 remain with the Ministry of Defence with each military service maintaining its own record office. To access these records consult the MOD Guide ‘How to apply for access to personal data held by the Ministry of Defence’. Please note, The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is currently in the process of transferring ten million personnel service records to The National Archives for permanent preservation.
Where Found
- Series ADM 188, Royal Navy Registers of Seamen’s Services, 1853-1924. Registers, arranged numerically giving date of birth, ship or shore establishment and an account of service. The covering dates relate to the dates of opening the registers. Entries in them continue for many years according to the length of service of each seaman.
- Series ADM 139, Royal Navy Continuous Service Engagement Books, 1853-1872. These continuous service engagement books give the date and place of birth, physical characteristics on entry, and a summary of the service of each rating.
Digital copies of Series ADM 188 and ADM 139 can be searched and downloaded online at The National Archives website. Indexes to ADM 139 are available to view and download for free as digital microfilm records.
- Series ADM 362, Royal Navy Registers of Seaman’s Services, 1925-1929. This series contains Royal Navy Registers of Seaman’s Services, arranged numerically giving date of birth, ship or shore establishment and an account of service. The records in this series are a continuation of the RN Registers of Seamen’s Services in ADM 188.
- Series ADM 363, Admiralty: Royal Navy Seamen’s Services Continuous Record (CR) Cards, 1925-1939).
- Series ADM 29, Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Coastguard and related services: Officers’ and Ratings’ Service Records (Series II), 1802-1919. The name index to ADM 29 is available online at the TNA Discovery catalogue. First click on ‘Advanced search’ and then type in the name being searched. Then under ‘Search for or within references’ type ‘ADM 29’.
National Museum of the Royal Navy
The museum holds a vast collection of records and resources related to the history and heritage of the Royal Navy including artifacts, documents and historic materials as well as collections from the Admiralty Library formerly housed in London. The museum holds some service records for individuals who served in the Royal Navy, particularly those from the 20th century. The library offers with a number of research guides into researching naval ancestors. The Online Catalogue provides access to the Manuscript, Oral History, Photographic and WRNS collections.
Fleet Air Arm Museum
The museum hold material relating to the Royal Naval Air Service and the Fleet Air Arm from official and private sources including service records, squadron line books, aircraft accident records, air stations, operations, ships and equipment.
Period Covered
1914 – 1918
Genealogical Value
Further References
- Bevan, Amanda. Tracing Your Ancestors in the National Archives: The National Archives, 2006
- Blank, Dr. Stuart. Researching British Military History on the Internet: Alwyn Enterprises, 2007
- Cooksley, Peter G. The Royal Flying Corps 1914-1918: The History Press, 2014
- Fowler, Simon. A Guide to Military History on the Internet: Pen & Sword, 2007
- Fowler, Simon. Tracing Your First World War Ancestors: A Guide for Family Historians: Pen & Sword, 2013
- King, Brad. Royal Naval Air Service, 1912-1918: Hikoki Publications, 1997
- Spencer, William. Family History in the Wars: The National Archives, 2007
- Storey, Neil. Military Photographs and How to Date Them: Countryside Books, 2009
- Usher, George. Dictionary of British Military History: A&C Black Publishers, 2006
Websites
The National Archives Research Guide
How to look for records of Royal Naval Air Service ratings. This guide provides advice on how to search for the records of Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) ratings.
Online Databases
RAF Museum Storyvault
The site is a digital archive dedicated to preserving and sharing the history and stories of the Royal Air Force. The site hosts a searchable digital archive consisting of:
- Muster Roll, 1918. The Muster Roll lists NCOs and men who were serving in the ranks who were transferred to the RAF when it was formed on 1 April 1918. Officers are not included.
- Casualty Cards. The Royal Flying Corps and from April 1918 the Royal Air Force kept detailed records of men who were killed, wounded or reported missing. The collection of casualty cards starts around 1915 and runs into the 1920s. They deal primarily with officers, although there are some cards for Non-Commissioned Officers and Men.
- Air Force List. Search the names of officers of the Army and Navy. List corrected to 1st February 1918.
- Roll of Honour 1911-1918.
Also see Royal Navy Service Records (Ratings)
