1st World War Soldiers' Records (Burnt Documents)

The impact of the First World War is such that there can be very few British family histories that are not touched by it in some way. Unfortunately the service papers of non-commissioned WW1 servicemen - perhaps the most important source for family historians with WW1 connections - were severely damaged by a bombing raid during WW2. Many records were destroyed and those that survived were badly damaged by fire and water. These 'burnt documents' are too fragile to be widely consulted by the public and have been kept in closed storage in class WO 363 at the Public Record Office (PRO). This unsatisfactory situation has now been corrected with the help of funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund. The PRO have been able to undertake a project to microfilm the surviving documents and release them for public inspection. It is estimated that the surviving documents contain the service records of approximately 2 million men and all recovered documents are now on microfilm (Class WO 363) at the PRO at Kew.

I have searched for all Hulley, Hully, Ulley and Ully entries and have obtained details of all these entries. These give number, name, rank, Regiment or Corps and home address and an index is shown below.

Other details are sometimes also shown on the microfilm. These may include the following information:

• Date Attested
• Birth Parish
• Trade or occupation
• Whether married or not
• Physical description - height, weight, colour of eyes and hair etc.
• Medical history
• Next of kin
• Wife's maiden name
• Children's names
• Dates and places of postings
• Dates of promotion
• Details of disciplinary offences

If the above details (if shown) are required then please complete the Order Form.

If a photocopy of all the actual burnt documents relating to a particular Hulley soldier is required, please e-mail for an estimate of cost.

Index to Hulley entries in the Burnt Documents

Public Record Office reference WO 363 - 1st World War Soldiers' Records - The Burnt Documents

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