Medals: The Researcher's Guide [Paperback]

An absolute must for anyone who wants to know more about the men behind the medals --Medal News

An excellent reference work... unreservedly recommended --The Orders and Medals Research Society Journal

This unique guide to researching medals shows how to trace individuals and actions using Britain's best record collections. It combines in a single volume the resources of The National Archives and the India Office records at the British Library, featuring military and civilian awards, orders, decorations and medals from 1793 to 1992. Structured geographically for ease of use, the book includes campaigns from Java to New Orleans, Copenhagen to Egypt, as well as a comprehensive look at awards issued in both World Wars. Written by a leading medal expert and military specialist at The National Archives, this guide is full of practical advice whether you are tracing an ancestor, regiment, medal or campaign. It advises on the best places to visit, as well as strategies for extending research into sources such as the census or war diaries. This is the perfect time-saving took for family historians, military enthusiasts and collectors alike.

William Spencer is military specialist at The National Archives. He previously served in the Royal Navy and holds an MA in War Studies from King's College, London. He is the author of Family History in the Wars (2007) and Army Records ( 2008), both published by The National Archives.