Military Archives module (RM50036)

The Military Archives module explores the records of the British Armed Forces and how they can be used by archivists and librarians, local historians and genealogists.  It is very much a hands-on module with the emphasis firstly on debating some of the issues in current military history and, secondly, on how to effectively conduct research into aspects of military history from the decisions made by generals and politicians to the experiences of ordinary Tommies, Jocks and Jack Tars.   

• Discusses the role of military history in modern British society. In particular it considers the importance of archives in the on-going debate on the meaning and consequences of the First World War.
• Looks at the major types of records created by the military authorities over the past three hundred years.
• Considers the importance of private papers and related artefacts created by service personnel.
• Provides practical guidance on how to research service personnel from the 1760s to the 1960s.
• Suggests ways of effectively using the military resources at The National Archives and more specialist military archives.