Discover Your British Ancestors’ WWII Stories for VE Day

By Chloe O׳Shea ·

May 8, 2026

Victory in Europe Day (VE Day) is commemorated in the U.K. on May 8 to mark the formal end of World War II in Europe in 1945 following Germany’s surrender. This year marks the 81st anniversary of the historic day, which included royal appearances on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, a national holiday declared by Winston Churchill, and celebrations across Britain as the war in Europe came to an end. VE Day was later followed by Victory over Japan Day (VJ Day) on August 15, 1945, marking the official end of World War II.

Many British families were affected by the war in some way. Some ancestors served in the military, while others supported the war effort at home, experienced loss, or lived through the challenges of wartime Britain. Today, MyHeritage makes it easier to explore your family history and uncover these wartime stories through billions of historical records.

Key takeaways of U.K. military genealogy

VE Day is an opportunity to explore how World War II shaped your family’s history.
MyHeritage offers access to billions of historical records that can help trace British military ancestors.
Military collections can reveal service details, medals, honors, prisoner of war records, and war memorial information.
Historic newspapers on OldNews.com can uncover personal wartime stories, promotions, and announcements.
Records such as the 1939 Register can help place ancestors in the wider context of wartime Britain.
Building a family tree on MyHeritage can help connect military discoveries with the rest of your family history.

Using indexes to find service records

MyHeritage offers access to extensive military historical records that can help you trace relatives who served during World War II and earlier conflicts. Collections such as “United Kingdom, Royal Navy Ratings’ Service Records, 1853-1928” and “United Kingdom, Royal Marines’ Service Records, 1842-1925” allow users to search for military ancestors by name, birth year, and other identifying details. These collections can reveal when an ancestor enlisted and provide the reference number needed to locate their full service record at The National Archives, where many records can be downloaded for free.

For example, records for Seaman Arthur Leonard Percy, born in Grimsby, Lincolnshire on April 24, 1917, provide details of his naval service during WWII. Historical records on MyHeritage can also help grow your family tree and place your ancestors’ military experiences into the wider context of their lives.

Tracing medals and military honors

Many individuals who served during World War II received campaign medals or military honors. Collections such as “United Kingdom, Index of Merchant Seamen’s Campaign Medals, 1939-1945” can help uncover these achievements. The indexes typically include a person’s name, date of birth, discharge number, and record reference number, along with links to documents held at The National Archives. Another valuable collection is “United Kingdom, Recommendations for Military Honours and Awards, 1935-1990,” which documents recommendations for military distinctions and awards.

One example is Edwin Alan Barlow, a Captain in the Royal Regiment of Artillery, who was recommended for appointment as a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) on April 19, 1945.

Victoria Cross recipients

The Victoria Cross, Britain’s highest military decoration for bravery, was awarded 182 times during World War II. Recipients can be researched through the “Victoria Cross Recipients, 1854-2006” collection on MyHeritage. Results may include a recipient’s full name, birth and death details, burial information, photographs, and descriptions of the actions that led to the award.

One remarkable example is Royal Navy Acting Captain Edward Stephen Fogarty Fegen, who had previously served during World War I. At age 49, he was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross after sacrificing his life to help save nearly all members of his convoy during an attack at sea. Although his body was never recovered, he is commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial in Kent.

Record of Edward S.F. Fagen in Victoria Cross Recipients, 1854 – 2006

Discover more about prisoners of war

Prisoners of war often left behind detailed documentation that can provide valuable insights into their wartime experiences. Collections such as British Empire Armies and Other Land Forces – Prisoners of War, 1939-1945 and British Army Prisoners of War Held in German Camps, 1939-1945 contain a wide range of information. These historical records may include a soldier’s name, rank, regiment, army number, prisoner number, internment location, and camp details.

One example is Vernon O’Shea of the Gordon Highlanders, who was held at Stalag VIII-D Teschen during the war.

Remembering the fallen with war memorials

For ancestors who lost their lives during the war, several collections on MyHeritage can help preserve and honor their memory. These include United Kingdom, War Memorials, 1914-1949, British Army Roll of Honour, 1939-1945, and Commonwealth War Graves, 1914-1921, 1939-1947. One entry from the latter collection documents Sergeant Sydney Frederick Osmond of the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, who died on April 17, 1943 at age 20.

Attached documents and images include his Graves Registration Report Form and entry in The War Dead of the Commonwealth Register. These historical records reveal additional family details, including the names of his parents, Garland Frederic and Kathleen Ann Osmond, along with his service number, 1391764.

You can explore billions of historical records on MyHeritage to continue uncovering stories like these.

Record of Sydney Frederick Osmond in Commonwealth War Graves, 1914-1921, 1939-1947

Newspapers can reveal hidden stories

Historical newspapers can add valuable context to military research by revealing promotions, awards, casualty notices, and local wartime stories. OldNews.com by MyHeritage includes access to publications such as The London Gazette, the official journal of record for government affairs in the U.K.

For example, an edition published on VE Day itself records that Major G. R. Hawkins retired due to age, while Temporary Lieutenant W. A. Hipwell was promoted to Acting Temporary Major.

Fragment of page of The London Gazette from May 8, 1945 in OldNews.com

Discover more in other wartime records

World War II affected everyday life across Britain, and many additional collections on MyHeritage can help uncover how families lived during the period. The “1939 Register of England & Wales” serves as a substitute for the missing 1941 census and provides a snapshot of households at the outbreak of war. Entries include names, addresses, birth dates, occupations, and marital status. Later updates made by the NHS can also reveal surname changes, including those resulting from marriage.

Other collections can help trace important family events during the war years, including:

Together, these collections can help place ancestors’ wartime experiences into context. They may reveal where military relatives served, where prisoners of war were held, what honors were awarded, and how families continued their daily lives during a time of uncertainty and sacrifice.

This Victory Day is an opportunity to discover more about the wartime experiences of your ancestors and preserve their stories for future generations.

FAQs about UK military genealogy

How can I find British military ancestors on MyHeritage?

MyHeritage offers access to a wide range of military historical records, including service records, prisoner of war collections, medal indexes, and war memorial databases. Searching by name, birth year, or location can help uncover details about an ancestor’s wartime experiences.

What military records are available for World War II research?

Collections available on MyHeritage include Royal Navy and Royal Marines service records, military honors and awards, prisoner of war records, Commonwealth war graves, and wartime newspaper collections.

Can I find information about medals and military honors?

Yes. Collections such as “United Kingdom, Index of Merchant Seamen’s Campaign Medals, 1939-1945” and “United Kingdom, Recommendations for Military Honours and Awards, 1935-1990” can reveal campaign medals and official honors awarded during and after the war.

What is the 1939 Register of England & Wales?

The 1939 Register was created at the outbreak of World War II and serves as a substitute for the missing 1941 census. It includes names, addresses, occupations, marital status, and birth dates for millions of people living in England and Wales at the time.

Can I research prisoners of war records on MyHeritage?

Yes. MyHeritage includes collections documenting British and Commonwealth prisoners of war held during World War II. These records may include camp locations, regiments, army numbers, and internment details.

How can newspapers help with military family history research?

Historical newspapers can reveal promotions, casualty notices, honors, retirement announcements, and local wartime stories. OldNews.com by MyHeritage provides access to millions of newspaper pages that can add valuable context to family history research.

What details can war memorial records reveal?

War memorial and Commonwealth war grave collections may include burial locations, service numbers, family member names, military units, photographs, and memorial documentation.

How do I start building a family tree for military research?

Starting a family tree can help organize discoveries and connect military ancestors to earlier and later generations. MyHeritage allows users to build a family tree while exploring related historical records and newspaper collections.

Chloe O’Shea is an English genealogy specialist with an MA in Museum Studies and founder of The Past Revealed. She has authored several books, including Tracing your Staffordshire Ancestors (2025), and is a regular contributor to “Who Do You Think You Are?” Magazine, Family Tree, and Dorset Magazine.