Royal Naval Division Service Records 1914-1920
The Royal Naval Division service records on Findmypast document the men of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines who served on land during the First World War, fighting alongside the Army from Gallipoli to the Western Front. Drawn from The National Archives and the Royal Navy Museums, these records provide valuable personal details such as names, service numbers, ranks, units, and notes on service and discharge. Created to meet the urgent demands of wartime manpower, the Royal Naval Division offers a striking example of naval personnel operating far from the sea, and these records are an important resource for tracing individuals whose wartime experience crossed traditional service boundaries.
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The Royal Naval Division service records on Findmypast document the men of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines who served on land during the First World War, fighting alongside the Army from Gallipoli to the Western Front. Drawn from The National Archives and the Royal Navy Museums, these records provide valuable personal details such as names, service numbers, ranks, units, and notes on service and discharge. Created to meet the urgent demands of wartime manpower, the Royal Naval Division offers a striking example of naval personnel operating far from the sea, and these records are an important resource for tracing individuals whose wartime experience crossed traditional service boundaries.
Learn about these records
The Royal Naval Division Service Records are extremely detailed and will give you a combination of the following information about your ancestor:
- Biographical information
- Name
- Date of birth
- Address
- Occupation
- Religion
- Name and address of next of kin
- Swimming ability
- Appearance
- Hair colour
- Eye colour
- Distinguishing marks, including tattoos and scars
- Height
- Chest size
- Complexion
- Service history
- Rank
- Service number
- Where stationed
- Wounds or illnesses
- Awards
- Disciplinary action
The Royal Naval Division (RND) was formed in August 1914 in response to the sudden demands of the First World War. At the outbreak of conflict, the Royal Navy had more reservists and volunteers than it could immediately deploy at sea, while the British Army urgently required manpower. To meet this need, surplus naval personnel and Royal Marines were organised into a naval infantry force, structured into battalions named after famous naval figures such as Drake, Nelson, and Hawke. Although administered by the Admiralty and retaining naval ranks, traditions, and discipline, the RND was trained and equipped to fight as infantry on land.
The division first saw action during the Gallipoli campaign of 1915, where it took part in some of the most costly fighting of the landings and subsequent operations. RND battalions suffered heavy casualties from enemy fire, disease, and harsh conditions, testing a force originally intended as a temporary expedient. Despite these losses, the division gained a reputation for resilience and determination, and its service at Gallipoli became a defining chapter in its identity, shaping both its internal culture and public perception at home.
In 1916, the Royal Naval Division was transferred to the control of the War Office and redesignated the 63rd (Royal Naval) Division, reflecting its full integration into the Army command structure. It went on to serve on the Western Front, fighting in major engagements including the Somme and Passchendaele, before taking part in the final advances of 1918. Throughout the war, the RND embodied the blurring of boundaries between naval and military service in total war, and its history highlights the adaptability of naval personnel when confronted with the unprecedented demands of modern industrial conflict.