TOPIC:

This post is a step by step guide on how to download the free medal rolls from the National Archives.

What you need

1. The identifier for the medal roll you are interested in. If it is a QSA roll that you are seeking, look at this page for the index . For a KSA, click here . You are looking for an identifier in the form of WO100/xxx, for example WO100/119. If you seek the roll for a different medal, you can search the National Archives for it. It will likely be in the form WO100/xxx.

Downloading a medal roll

In this example, I will download the roll containing the 19th Hussars, WO100/119.

1. Open the National Archives page at www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/

2. In the top right search box, change the search focus from 'Search our website' to 'Search our records', using the down-facing arrow to do so.



3. Enter the roll identifier



4. Click the magnifying glass icon to search

5. This search returns 96 records, the top item is the one we want.



6. Click on the blue text 'WO 100.19 and 20 Hussars, 21 Lancers'. This opens the information for that record



7. Click on Add to basket



8. From here, you can select more rolls to add to you basket by either going through the search option again or using the navigation in the top panel, You are in, to move around.



9. When you have the required rolls in your basket, you are ready to checkout and download

10. In the top right of the screen, the basket keeps track of its contents. I have one item in my basket.



11. Click on the basket, ie where it says '1 item - £0.00' (in this example)

12. Click View basket



13. Click on Checkout



14. Enter an email address for the receipt. This is mandatory

15. Read the T&Cs and click on I accept the terms and conditions if you do



Please continue to the next post ...

16. Click Submit Order

17. On the transaction conformation screen, note the size of the file as this will give you an indication of the download time on your connection. Then click on Download now



18. On my computer, I am then prompted to open or save the file. Note that there can be a 5 - 60 seconds delay before the 'open/save' box appears. You can download multiple files simultaneously.

That's it

I have systematically downloaded all the rolls (from Waterloo to GSM Palestine 1945-48) and have encountered issues with only three of the rolls.

WO 100/38
WO 100/166
WO 100/330

These three rolls are not correctly configured and are not able to be downloaded via the usual process. Fortunately their customer service is very good and they will send you the files as attachments if requested.

You'll need close to 100GBs to house them all.

Hi

I have tried to locate WO100/283, which is for DMT, but no results come up.

Regards
Anthony

Anthony,

It is definitely available. When you open the National Archives page and before you search, you need to change the focus of the search from the website to the records. This should then be successful.

Good luck
David

Hi David

Thank you. It works

Regards
Anthony