How to find East Surrey Regiment service records
Researcher
Tue Oct 21 2025
•
< 5 minutes read
Digitised military collections have made it easier than ever to explore the lives of those who served in the East Surrey Regiment.
The story of the East Surrey Regiment
The East Surrey Regiment holds a proud place in British Army history. Formed in 1881 by merging the 31st (Huntingdonshire) Regiment of Foot and the 70th (Surrey) Regiment of Foot, it became one of the county’s most recognisable infantry regiments. Its soldiers served with distinction across the globe, from South Africa during the Anglo-Boer War to the battlefields of France, Flanders and Italy during the First World War and the Second World War.
Few stories capture the spirit of the regiment better than that of the 9th Battalion, whose soldiers famously kicked footballs across No Man's Land as they advanced on German lines during the Battle of the Somme in 1916. That extraordinary act of courage and camaraderie became one of the enduring symbols of the First World War.
Tracing an ancestor who served with the East Surrey Regiment offers a way to understand military sacrifice and the history of a community shaped by war.
Where to find East Surrey Regiment genealogy records online
On Findmypast, you’ll find a range of British Army genealogy records that include men from this distinguished regiment, such as:
- British Army Service Records (1760–1915), featuring enlistment forms, postings, and service histories.
- British Army Pension Records (1760–1913), rich in detail, often listing next of kin, physical descriptions, and prior occupations.
- Medal Index Cards and Rolls, showing medals earned in the First World War and earlier campaigns.
- British Army Casualty Lists and Prisoner of War Records, documenting those wounded, missing, or captured.
These records allow you to trace an East Surrey soldier from enlistment to demobilisation. With these rich resources, you can uncover their experiences, from what their day-to-day lives looked like to the milestone moments they witnessed.
How to search British Army service records
Gather what you already know
All you need to begin your search is basic information: your ancestor’s full name, a rough birth year, and any known details about where they lived or served. You may wish to check family photos, medals or letters for valuable clues like regimental numbers or the names of wartime comrades. Even small details, like an address or next of kin, can help you identify the right individual among many with similar names.
Brush up on your geography
Many soldiers of the East Surrey Regiment came from Surrey and South London, with strong recruitment ties to towns such as Kingston, Croydon and Guildford. Understanding these local connections can help you pinpoint where your ancestor enlisted or trained.
Cross-reference sources
If your ancestor’s full service record doesn’t survive, don’t lose hope. Use medal rolls, pension files, or casualty lists to piece together their story. A birthplace in one record can confirm a medal entry in another, while a battalion number can lead you to war diaries or campaign histories. Comparing details across different sources helps ensure accuracy and reveals a fuller picture of your ancestor’s military experience.
Store your discoveries in an online family tree
As you uncover more about your East Surrey ancestor, it’s easy to lose track of dates, ranks, and regimental movements. Keeping your findings organised in an online family tree helps you see the bigger picture and build a lasting record of your family’s military sacrifice.
What can military records reveal about East Surrey Regiment soldiers?
East Surrey Regiment records can uncover:
- Service and regimental numbers
- Campaigns and battles fought
- Details of wounds, hospital admissions, or commendations
- Next of kin and home addresses
- Transfers, promotions, and medals awarded
These details help you understand your ancestor’s service and the challenges they faced during one of history’s most turbulent eras.
Delve deeper with old Surrey newspapers
To add richness and context, explore Findmypast's newspaper archive, which includes titles from across Surrey and South London. Local newspapers often published enlistment lists, letters from the front, and casualty notices during the World Wars.
You might find a small mention - a promotion, a letter home, or a medal award - that brings your ancestor's story vividly to life.
By combining regiment records with old newspapers, you can delve deeper into their world and ensure their bravery and sacrifice are never forgotten.