Army The main source are war diaries. They are often more informative and easier to use than their equivalents of the First World War. Appendices often include unit orders, regulated everyday life in the unit and may note the arrival and departure of personnel at all ranks.

The diaries are in various series arranged by theatre of operations. More information can be found here at Second World War: British Army Operations 1939-45. A list of men and women who died during the war was noted in a Roll of Honour. It is also available on CD-ROM in the National Archives library and elsewhere.

Navy Log books normally record navigational and weather details. More useful are the reports submitted by captains to the Admiralty about operations, including reports from individual convoys. More information can be found at Royal Navy: Operational Records Second World War, 1939-45.

Royal Air Force Operation record books, which are arranged by unit contain detailed information about the work they undertook. Names of personnel (particularly aircrew) are often mentioned. More information about service records can be found at Royal Air Force: Second World War, 1939-45 Service Records and about operations at Royal Air Force: Operational Records.

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