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Army Personnel Centre

The Army Personnel Centre Helpdesk (0845 600 9663) provides assistance to Army units, outside agencies and the general public who are enquiring about the disclosure of information held on officers and soldiers.

Tracing of Army personnel and also discharged personnel who have left service within the last year if a service number or full name and date of birth can be provided.

They do not hold unit addresses or telephone numbers for units or Army personnel. These details can be obtained from the MOD Operator on 0141 248 7890.

The Army Personnel Centre Helpdesk does not deal with pay or pension matters. For enquiries relating to these, and for medal enquiries please contact the Pay and Pension Help Desk on 0800 085 3600.

Family Interest Enquiries and 3rd Party Enquiries

The Army Personnel Centre Historical Disclosures Section has access to Army records dating back to the 1920s (with the exception of those for the Foot Guards) and can supply information to the next of kin of deceased former soldiers and officers who have served since 1920, and more limited information to other enquirers if fewer than 25 years have passed since the death of the subject.

  • Please note that there is not as much detail held on Army personal files as people think. Army files are paper-based records that follow the career of the individual and, in most cases, make little mention of theatres of operation or action seen.
  • Medals and awards are recorded but citations are never included. Only very rarely does a file contain a soldier's photograph.
  • Some files contain more information than others and we have no way of knowing what any particular file holds until we have looked at it. Regimental War Diaries, which are held at the National Archives may be of more use than Army personal files in providing an insight into an individual’s war experience.

For application forms use the link MOD Personnel Records

If your enquiry is about an officer or soldier of a Foot Guards regiment you should send your completed application form to:

Regimental Headquarters
The * Guards
Wellington
Barracks Birdcage Walk
LONDON
SW1E 6HQ

* - insert as appropriate: Grenadier, Coldstream, Scots, Irish or Welsh.

If your enquiry is about the record of a member of the Polish forces under British Command during WWII you should send your completed application form to:

APC MS Support - Disclosures 5
Building 59
RAF Northolt
West End Road
RUISLIP
HA4 6NG

Tel: 0208 8338603
Fax: 0208 8338866
Email: NOR-PolishDiscOffice@mod.uk 

For more information on Personnel Records please follow the right-hand link to the MOD website.

Request from former Army personnel for their own records

Former Army personnel who wish to receive copies of their service records under the Data Protection Act are required to submit a Subject Access Request (SAR), accompanied by verification of identify (a photocopy of a driving license or passport or a recent utility bill) to the following address:

APC MS Support - Disclosures 2
MP 535,
Kentigern House,
65 Brown Street,
Glasgow
G2 8EX

Tel: 0845 600 9663
Fax: 0141 224 3172
Email: APC-Sp-ParlDiscl-Dis2-Mailbox@mod.uk

Requests for the medical documents of ex-Army personnel

The Army Personnel Centre Disclosures 3 section is the focal point for requests for Medical records under the Data Protection Act 1998 for ex-Army personnel. Requests should be made in writing including proof of ID (a photocopy of your driving license or passport or recent utility bill) to:

APC MS Support - Disclosures 3
MP 525,
Kentigern House,
65 Brown Street,
Glasgow
G2 8EX

Tel: 0845 600 9663
Fax: 0141 224 3172
Email: APC-Sp-ParlDiscl-Dis3-Mailbox@mod.uk

Request for a reference from a prospective employer

Prospective employers may obtain a reference for ex-Army personnel by writing to:

APC MS Support - Disclosures 1
MP 520,
Kentigern House,
65 Brown Street,
Glasgow
G2 8EX

Tel: 0845 600 9663
Fax: 0141 224 3172
Email: APC-Sp-ParlDiscl-Dis1-Mailbox@mod.uk

Please note that the written consent of the individual to disclose the information should be forwarded with the request for a reference. We will endeavour to answer requests for information within 20 working days.

Replacement Red Book (Army Form B108)

An AFB 108 can only be replaced in exceptional circumstances and with the authority of DM(A). If lost or destroyed confirmation of service will be provided in letter form. Please write to the following address providing proof of ID (a photocopy of a driving license or passport or a recent utility bill).

APC MS Support - Disclosures 1
MP 520,
Kentigern House,
65 Brown Street,
Glasgow G2 8EX

Tel: 0845 600 9663
Fax: 0141 224 3172
Email: APC-Sp-ParlDiscl-Dis1-Mailbox@mod.uk

Council House Purchase - Housing Act 1985 - Right to Buy

We will supply service details to Army personnel, former Army personnel, ex-spouses or Housing Agencies proving that during a specific period you were a tenant of crown property, the rent for which would have been deducted from your salary. This will enable discount under the Housing Act 1985. Enquiries should be sent to:

APC MS Support - Disclosures 1
MP 520,
Kentigern House,
65 Brown Street,
Glasgow
G2 8EX

Tel: 0845 600 9663
Fax: 0141 224 3172
Email: APC-Sp-ParlDiscl-Dis1-Mailbox@mod.uk