The principal repository for service records and official unit diaries is the National Archive at Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 4DU. Next of kin seeking service details of Royal Marines serving from 1928 to the present day should contact Fleet DN Personnel, Disclosure Cell, MP G2, Room 48, West Battery, Whale Island, Portsmouth, Hants. PO2 8DX. The Museum archive however, contains many important and unique items that would be of additional interest to the researcher.
The Museum reference library includes Marine Officer Lists from 1755 to 1886, Army Lists from 1739 to the present day, and a complete run of Navy Lists from 1783 to date. Coupled with sets of professional journals, and full runs of the Corps magazines, ‘The Globe & Laurel’ and ‘Blue Band’, these will assist genealogical research topics.
The library covers campaigns from 1664 to the present day. It also includes naval & military biographies, tactical & technical training handbooks, and specialist sections such as weapons, medals, uniforms, ships and amphibious warfare.
Although the Museum’s film collection is held at the Wessex Film & Sound Archive at Hampshire Record Office, Winchester, video reference copies and commercially produced titles can be viewed in the audio-visual room. This facility also houses the collection of RM Bands recordings dating from 1925, and the oral testimony recordings of contributing Royal Marines.
The archive & library collections can only be accessed for research by a prior appointment made a minimum of three weeks before the intended visit. The opening times are Monday to Friday 10.00 to 16.30.You may wish to telephone to ascertain if a visit would be likely to furnish your requirements and you can do this by calling 02392 819385 Extension 224, or option 6 on the automated response.
Once specific areas of research have been identified, relevant material is placed in the Museum reading room for study. The reading room is equipped with power points for the use of lap-top computers, and also has a microfilm reader, and stand alone PCs containing the most requested documents and information.
Copies of certain documents can be made for a small fee, but no material can be borrowed or removed from the Museum.
Applications for appointments can be made by writing to The Archivist at the address above, or by fax on 02392 838420.
|
The Museum archive collection contains manuscripts, letters documents, diaries and historical administrative material dating back to the late 17th Century. It provides both official and unofficial primary and secondary sources for many aspects of Marine’s history.
