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Guide

How to get a Polish soldier's service record

If your relative served in the Polish forces under British command during or after the Second World War, his service record is usually the best proof that he was Polish. It normally shows his date and place of birth and his service.

Who holds the records

The UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) holds the service records of Polish personnel who served under British command and of the Polish Resettlement Corps. Requests go to the MOD's Polish disclosures team. Polish Air Force records are handled separately by the RAF.

How to apply

1. Start from the GOV.UK page Get a copy of military records of service, which explains the forms and who can apply.
2. Give his full name and other spellings, date and place of birth, and his unit if you know it.
3. Include proof that you are related to him and, if possible, his death certificate. Without a death certificate, information may be withheld.

Good to know

• Some records are released with parts blacked out. Families have petitioned Parliament about this.
• The Polish Institute and Sikorski Museum in London also holds Polish wartime archives and offers family research.
• Records of service in Poland before 1939 are held in Poland, at the Central Military Archive.
• The MOD is moving many older service records to The National Archives (due to finish in 2027). Check the GOV.UK page first in case the record you need has moved.

Next step

The service record proves he was Polish. To know whether he kept his citizenship, you also need the date he became British: see finding a naturalisation date.

This guide is general information, not legal advice. Polish Roots Passport is an independent service, not connected to the Polish government or the UK Home Office.