Service Records and Medals
The RSL Queensland Brach receives numerous enquiries relating to medals and service records of veterans. The following information is provided to assist the public in locating the service record or replacement medals of relatives who have served in the armed forces of Australia, New Zealand, The United Kingdom and Canada.
AUSTRALIA
Research and Family History (Service Records)
The Australian War Memorial provides an excellent range of resources and information to assist the public in researching family history. The Australian War Memorial website is the best starting point for tracing service records and other official records.
Alternatively, the individual services and other agencies may also be able to assist.
Australian Army
Agency: Central Army Records Office (CARO)
CARO maintains the service records of serving soldiers (not officers) and the records of discharged officers and soldiers from 1948 onwards.
Contact Details
Phone: (03) 9282 5393
Mail:
Central Army Records Office
Soldier Career Management Agency
GPO Box 393D
Melbourne VIC 3001
Royal Australian Navy
Agency: Service Records – Navy
Contact Details
Phone: (02) 6266 5964
Mail:
Staff Officer Navy Records
Corporate Services
Queanbeyan Annex
Russell Offices
Department of Defence
Canberra ACT 2600
Royal Australian Air Force
Agency: RAAF Personnel Records
Contact Details
Phone: (02) 6266 5965
Mail:
RAAF Personnel Records
Department of Defence
Queanbeyan Annex
Canberra ACT 2600
Other Agencies
Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA)
The DVA website contains information on war graves, nominal rolls and other information such as commemoration activities etc.
Agency: Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The "Debt of Honour Register" is the Commission's database listing the 1.7 million men and women of the Commonwealth forces who died during the two world wars and the 23,000 cemeteries, memorials and other locations worldwide where they are commemorated. The register can also be searched for details of the 67,000 Commonwealth civilians who died as a result of enemy action in the Second World War.
Australian Medals, Honours and Awards
Agency: Defence Honours and Awards
The Defence Honours and Awards section can provide information on;
o the different types of medals available to Australia’s defence personnel, past and present,
o the eligibility criteria for various awards,
o how to submit an application for a medal, and
o information about current Defence awards issues.
Contact Details
Phone: 1800 111 321 (toll-free within Australia) or +61 2 6266 1050 (overseas)
Operating Hours: 9.00am-5.00pm AEST/AEDST, Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays.
Mail:
Defence Honours and Awards
T-1-49
Department of Defence
CANBERRA ACT 2600
Agency: Awards and Culture Branch – Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC).
The Awards and Culture Branch (DPMC) can provide information on;
o Nomination for Awards and Honours,
o Protocol for wearing medals,
o Anniversary messages and
o Flag protocol, Symbols and Australian Coat of Arms.
Contact Details
Phone: (02) 6271 560
Mail:
Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet
PO Box 6500
CANBERRA ACT 2600
NEW ZEALAND
Research and Family History (Service Records)
There are a number of New Zealand sources available to assist you in conducting research on family history and service records. These include;
Agency: New Zealand Defence Force – Personnel Records Branch
The New Zealand Defence Force Personnel Archives hold only the individual service files of discharged New Zealand service men and women from (1899) the Anglo-Boer War to current time for all three services - Navy, Army and Air Force.
Contact Details
Phone: (04) 527 5280
Mail:
New Zealand Defence Force
Personnel Archives
Private Bag 905
Upper Hutt
New Zealand
Agency: Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The "Debt of Honour Register" is the Commission's database listing the 1.7 million men and women of the Commonwealth forces who died during the two world wars and the 23,000 cemeteries, memorials and other locations worldwide where they are commemorated. The register can also be searched for details of the 67,000 Commonwealth civilians who died as a result of enemy action in the Second World War.
New Zealand Medals, Honours and Awards
Contact Details
Phone: (04) 527 5270
Fax: (04) 527 5279
Mail:
The Medals Office
Headquarters New Zealand Defence Force
Private Bag 905
Upper Hutt
New Zealand
THE UNITED KINGDOM
There are a number of United Kingdom sources available to assist you in conducting research on family history, service records and medals. These include;
Agency: Service Personnel and Veterans Agency (SPVA)
The SPVA provides a range of information and support services to current and former members of the British Armed Forces. This includes;
Service Records,
Medals,
Pensions and Welfare, and
Veterans Issues.
Contact Details
Phone: Freephone 0800 169 22 77 (UK only) or 0800 169 34 58 Textphone facility (UK only) or +44 1253 866043 (Overseas). Telephone lines are open: 8.15am to 5.15pm Monday to Thursday; and 8.15am to 4.30pm Friday.
Mail:
Service Personnel and Veterans Agency, Norcross
Thornton Cleveleys
Lancashire, FY5 3WP
UNITED KINGDOM
Email: veterans.help@spva.gsi.gov.uk
Imperial War Museum