How to look for records of... Royal Air Force nurses

How can I view the records covered in this guide?

How many are online?

  • Some

1.Why use this guide?

The National Archives holds no service records of nurses who served with the Royal Air Force Nursing Service (RAFNS).

While some early recruits are named in documents related to the service’s establishment, most service records are held by the Ministry of Defence and the British Red Cross. See Section 3 for further details.

2. Before you start

The Royal Air Force Nursing Service (RAFNS) was established in 1918 and became Princess Mary’s Royal Air Force Nursing Service (PMRAFNS) in 1923.

The RAFNS was confirmed as a permanent, independent service in 1921. It remained a women-only service until 1980.

Matrons, sisters, and staff nurses held honorary military ranks without command.

3. Online records

3.1 Campaign Medals and Awards

  • Royal Red Cross Recipients,1883–1994

Search and download entries from the registers of recipients of the Royal Red Cross at Findmypast.co.uk (charges apply). Covers around 9,000 awards for exceptional nursing service. Includes service number, role, and date published in the London Gazette.

  • First World War Medal Index Cards, 1914-1920

Search by name or regimental (service) number for First World War army medal index cards (WO 372) on our website (charges apply). Use keywords like Nurse, Voluntary Aid Detachment, or Queen Alexandra’s with a surname.

  • Campaign Medal Rolls, 1793–1949

For records of medals awarded for service before 1914, search by name on the Ancestry (charges apply) website. Lists names but includes limited personal details. Knowing the campaign and nursing service helps.

4. Accessing original records

Our online catalogue and advanced search page display records using a title, reference number, and brief description. When you search using keywords, you’re searching these descriptions—not the full content of the records. For help using our catalogue, watch our short video guide.

Many records are not keyword searchable, so you may need to consult the original documents. You’re welcome to visit us in person to continue your research—access to our records is free of charge. Before visiting, please check our website for opening hours and ID requirements. If you can’t visit, or would like someone to carry out research on your behalf, you can pay for research.

When you click on a search result, you’ll see whether the record is available online or if you need to view it onsite. You can also request copies directly from the catalogue description page. If a record is held by another archive, you’ll need to contact them directly to find out how to access it.

5. Service records, 1918-present

Visit the GOV.UK website for information about how to request a summary of a service record from the Ministry of Defence. These are not available to members of the public, though next of kin may request access to them.

6. Policy and administrative history

To explore the policy and administrative history of British Army nursing, click on any of the reference codes below to request access to documents using our online catalogue. These records are not available online, so once you’ve found something relevant, you’ll need to visit us in person to view it.

  • AIR 2 – Air Ministry and Ministry of Defence: Registered Files, 1887-1995. It covers rules and regulations, conditions of service for nurses, financial matters and so on.
  • AIR 2/93/C66031 – includes records relating to the establishment of the RAF Nursing Service, 1918-1921.
  • AIR 2/155/350196/20 – holds records relating to the future of the service after the First World War, 1920-1921.

7. Websites

8. Further reading

Welch, Samuel Cuthbert Rexford, The Royal Air Force medical services. London: 1954-1958.