This is a brief guide to help you research someone in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve. Many records are online, but it is important to note that not all records survive.
This guide will help you to find out if the information you are looking for exists and, if it does, where to find it or more information about it.
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What do I need to know before I start?
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Try to find out:
- the name and rank of the person
- a date range to help focus your search
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What records can I see online?
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Naval officers' service record cards and files (c.1880-1950s)
Search Naval officers' service record cards and files on DocumentsOnlinea collection of documents from The National Archives which are available entirely online (ADM 340/1-150) by name for officers serving in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve between c.1880 and the 1950s. To view ADM 340/151-456 visit The National Archives at Kew.
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Service records (1903-1922)
Search Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve service records on DocumentsOnlinea collection of documents from The National Archives which are available entirely online for a ratingA seaman ranking lower than an officer. These are the most junior class of seamen in the Royal Navy. (1903-1919) or officera senior member of staff in the armed forces (1903-1922) in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve (ADM 337). You can search by first name, last name, date of birth, division, or service number (if known). Not all records survive.
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What records can I find at The National Archives at Kew?
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Naval officers' service record cards and files (c.1880-1950s)
Browse the Cataloguea search tool with descriptions of 11 million documents from the UK central government, law courts, and other national bodies for officersofficer - a senior member of staff in the armed forces' service recordsservice record - a document recording the career of an individual in the armed forces for this period in ADM 340/151-456.
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To access these records you will either need to visit us, commission research (£there will be a charge) or, where you can identify a specific record referencea unique set of letters and numbers identifying a document in The National Archives, order a copy (£there will be a charge).
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What records can I find in other archives and organisations?
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Service records (1920-present)
Visit the Veterans UK website for information about how to request a summary of an officer'sOfficer - a senior member of staff in the armed forces or rating'sRating - a seaman ranking below an officer service recorda document recording the career of an individual in the armed forces from the Royal Navy.
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What other resources will help me find information?
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Books
Read Tracing your Naval Ancestors by Bruno Pappalardo (The National Archives, 2003)
Consult the published Navy Lists to follow an officer's career
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In-depth research guides
Births, marriages and deaths in the armed forces
Royal Naval Division
Royal Naval Reserve