This Remembrance Day don’t forget to ‘Just Ask’
On 11 November, we will pause for one minute of silent reflection. During this minute, we will be paying our respects to our service personnel. We will be thinking of our grandparents, parents, siblings and children – our connection to Australia’s military history.
Another way we can commemorate our veterans is through learning about, and recording, their story. More than a million Australians have served in all wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations. That one in a million story could be related to you. So how do you find this story? ‘Just Ask’.
Start by asking relatives. Give them a call or send them a text. If they are aware of a relative, they may be able to provide a name, when or where they were born, their parent’s details or even their grandparent’s details. These are all clues you can use in your search online.
There are some fantastic online resources you can use to find more information about your relative. Use their name to find them on our Nominal Rolls, and see if their service records are available through the National Archives of Australia website. You can also try the Australian War Memorial’s search for a person tool. It’s easy. Just search your relative’s name and see what comes up.
Family history websites such as Ancestry.com.au can also be used to fill in information gaps. Start a free trial this Remembrance Day and discover your family history and find your ancestors by exploring millions of military records.
Remember to share your discoveries with your family members to ensure your relative’s story is captured for generations to come.
For a more detailed guide to help you discover your family’s military history, visit our Just Ask page.