Army Records Society facts for kids

The Army Records Society is a group that helps us learn about the history of the British Army. It's like a special club that publishes old letters, diaries, and other important papers written by soldiers and military leaders. This society started in 1984 and is a registered charity, which means it's a non-profit organization. As of October 2022, they have published 41 books filled with these historical documents. These books help historians and anyone interested in the past understand what life was like in the British Army and how important events unfolded.

Exploring History Through Books

The Army Records Society publishes books that give us a peek into different periods of British Army history. Each book is a collection of original documents, like letters or journals, from a specific time or about a particular person. This helps us understand history directly from those who lived it!

Stories from the 1700s

These books share stories and documents from the 18th century, a time of many wars and changes.

• An Eighteenth-Century Secretary at War: The Papers of William, Viscount Barrington (edited by Dr Tony Hayter, 1988) vol. 4 ISBN: 978-0-37031227-9
  • This book contains the papers of William, Viscount Barrington, who was a key figure in the British government, dealing with army matters.
• Colonel Samuel Bagshawe and the Army of King George II, 1731-1762 (edited by Dr Alan J. Guy, 1990) vol. 6 ISBN: 978-0-37031501-0
  • Learn about Colonel Samuel Bagshawe and his experiences serving in the army during the reign of King George II.
• John Peebles’ American War, 1776-1782 (edited by Professor Ira D. Gruber, 1998) vol. 13 ISBN: 978-0-75091791-9
  • This journal gives us a soldier's view of the American War of Independence.
• Amherst and the Conquest of Canada (edited by Dr Richard Middleton, 2003) vol. 20 ISBN: 978-0-75093142-7
  • Discover how General Jeffery Amherst led the British forces to conquer Canada during the Seven Years' War.
• The Duke of Cumberland's Campaigns in Britain and the Low Countries, 1745-1748: A Selection of His Letters (edited by Alastair Massie & Jonathan Oates, 2018) vol. 38 ISBN: 978-0-75098887-2
  • Read letters from Prince William, Duke of Cumberland, about his military campaigns.

Adventures from the 1800s

These publications cover the 19th century, a time of major conflicts like the Napoleonic and Crimean Wars.

• The Napoleonic War Journal of Captain Thomas Henry Browne, 1807-1816 (edited by Professor Roger Norman Buckley, 1987) vol. 3 ISBN: 978-0-37031121-0
  • This journal offers a firsthand account of the Napoleonic Wars from a captain's perspective.
• Roberts in India: The Military Papers of Field Marshal Lord Roberts, 1876-1893 (edited by Brian Robson, 1993) vol. 9 ISBN: 978-0-75090401-8
  • Explore the military papers of Field Marshal Lord Roberts during his time in India.
• Lord Chelmsford’s Zululand Campaign, 1878-1879 (edited by Professor John Laband, 1994) vol. 10 ISBN: 978-0-75090665-4
  • Learn about Lord Chelmsford's campaign during the Anglo-Zulu War.
• The Maratha War Papers of Arthur Wellesley, January to December 1803 (edited by Anthony S. Bennell, 1998) vol. 14 ISBN: 978-0-75092069-8
  • These papers are from Arthur Wellesley, who later became the Duke of Wellington, during the Maratha War in India.
• Romaine’s Crimean War: The Letters and Journal of William Govett Romaine 1854-6 (edited by Major Colin Robins OBE, 2005) vol. 24 ISBN: 978-0-75094287-4
  • Read letters and a journal from William Govett Romaine, giving insights into the Crimean War.

Records from the 1900s

These books focus on the 20th century, including both World Wars and other important events.

• The Army and the Curragh Incident, 1914 (edited by Professor Ian F. W. Beckett, 1986) vol. 2 ISBN: 978-0-37030738-1
  • This book looks at a significant event involving the army just before World War I.
• Montgomery and the Eighth Army: A Selection from the Diaries, Correspondence and other Papers of Field Marshal the Viscount Montgomery of Alamein (edited by Stephen Brooks, 1991) vol. 7 ISBN: 978-0-37031723-6
  • Dive into the papers of Field Marshal Montgomery, a famous British general from World War II.
• The British Army and Signals Intelligence during the First World War (edited by Dr John Ferris, 1992) vol. 8 ISBN: 978-0-75090247-2
  • Discover how the British Army used secret messages and intelligence during World War I.
• Allenby in Palestine (edited by Dr Matthew Hughes, 2004) vol. 22 ISBN: 978-0-75093841-9
  • Learn about General Allenby's campaigns in Palestine during World War I.
• Montgomery and the Battle of Normandy (edited by Stephen Brooks, 2008) vol. 27 ISBN: 978-0-75095123-4
  • This book focuses on Field Marshal Montgomery's role in the D-Day landings and the Battle of Normandy.
• The First World War Diary of Noël Drury, 6th Royal Dublin Fusiliers: Gallipoli, Salonika, the Middle East and the Western Front (edited by Richard S. Grayson, 2022) vol. 41 ISBN: 978-1-83838771-6
  • Read the diary of a soldier who fought in many different places during World War I.

Mixed Collections

Sometimes, the society publishes books that bring together different types of documents from various time periods. These are called "Miscellany" volumes.

• Military Miscellany I: Manuscripts from the Seven Years' War, the First and Second Sikh Wars, and the First World War (edited by Alan J. Guy, R. N. W. Thomas & Gerard J. DeGroot, 1996) vol. 12 ISBN: 978-0-75091675-2
  • This book includes:
    • George Durant’s Journal of the Expedition to Martinique and Guadeloupe, 1758-1759 (edited by Dr Alan J. Guy)
    • Daniel Robinson: Letters from India, 1845-1849 (edited by Dr Robin N. W. Thomas)
    • The Reverend George Duncan at GHQ, 1916-1918 (edited by Dr Gerard DeGroot)
• Military Miscellany II: Manuscripts from Marlborough's Wars, the American War of Independence, and the Boer War (edited by David Chandler with Christopher Scott, Marianne M. Gilchrist & Robin Jenkins, 2005) vol. 23 ISBN: 978-0-75094088-7
  • This second miscellany includes:
    • The Journal of Sergeant John Wilson, 1694-1727 (edited by Dr David Chandler with Christopher Scott)
    • Captain the Hon William Leslie (1751-1777), His Life, Letters and Commemoration (edited by Dr Marianne M. Gilchrist)
    • Diary of Private Robert Cross, 1899-1901 (edited by Robin Jenkins)

See Also

• British Army
• Military history