Military Researcher
Discover the story behind your WWI or WWII ancestor -
even if all you have is just a name.
I offer independent, evidence-based research into your relative's wartime service - helping you understand where they served, what they experienced and how their story fits into the wider history of war.
Many families only have fragments - a name, a photograph, or a story passed down.
I help turn those fragments into something clear and meaningful.
About Me:
I’m Chlöe Anthony, an independent military researcher with over a decade of experience working with First and Second World War records.
I specialise in reconstructing service histories from incomplete or fragmented records, helping families understand their relative's experience, even when only limited information survives.
Many families come to me with only a name, a photograph and a few documents - and leave with a clearer understanding of their relative's wartime story.
British Army, Royal Navy and RAF
Standard Service Reconstruction - £99
This is ideal for those seeking a clear, factual overview of a relative’s military service.
Includes:
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A clear, written report of your relative's service
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Identification of specific unit, ship or squadron (where possible)
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Medal entitlement (where possible)
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Casualty and discharge checks
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Clear written summary of findings with a timeline of service and key events
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Honest clarification provided if records are missing or uncertain
This service provides a clear, evidence-based reconstruction of your relative's military service using official records, helping you understand what can - and cannot - be confirmed.
External Archive Fees (not included):
Some records may require external archive checks or copying.
These costs are never incurred without your approval.
Possible fees may include:
The National Archives page check (£9.92).
Copying fees for archival material (set by the specific archive, depending on page volume).
British Army, Royal Navy and RAF
Extended Service Reconstruction - £155
This is best for those who want to understand not just where a relative served, but what that service involved.
Includes everything in the Standard Service, plus:
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A factual report detailing your relative's unit, fleet or squadron's campaigns - this will include the use of war diaries or operational records to provide context
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An insight into your relative's training, duties, and daily life
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An explanation of the wider military and wartime environment
This service uses operational and historical context to help bring surviving records to life, while remaining grounded in evidence.
Important notes on military service records:
Many First and Second World War service records are incomplete or have been destroyed.
Part of my role is to interpret what survives, carefully and honestly.
War diaries and operational records rarely name individual soldiers, sailors, or airmen.
Surviving records often confirm service, but not every posting, action, or experience.
Merchant Navy
Standard Service Reconstruction - £99
This is best for those seeking a clear, factual summary of a Merchant Navy relative’s service based on surviving records.
Includes:
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CR1 / CR2 / CR10 cards (where surviving)
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BT 372 Seamen’s Pouches identification records (from 1940 onwards, where surviving)
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Identification of ships served on (where possible)
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Written report of surviving evidence
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A clear written summary of findings with a timeline of service and key events
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Honest clarification provided if records are missing or uncertain
This service provides a clear, evidence-based summary of what is known - and what cannot be known - from the archival record.
Extended Merchant Navy Service Record Reconstruction - £155
This is best for those who want to understand not just where a relative served, but what that service involved.
Includes everything in the Standard Service, plus:
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Voyage and ship context (where details survive)
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Convoy service and wartime risk explanation
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Port, discharge, and movement context
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Explanation of the wider wartime environment in which your relative served
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Timeline placing the individual within broader Merchant Navy and wartime events
This option helps you understand your relative's service within the wider wartime experience of the Merchant Navy.
This service uses operational and historical context to help bring sparse records into clearer focus.
Important notes on Merchant Navy records:
Merchant Navy records are frequently incomplete, especially for earlier periods.
Individual seamen are rarely named in convoy or operational records.
Surviving documents often confirm that someone served, but not always what they experienced.
My work focuses on careful reconstruction, not guaranteed discoveries.
External Archive Fees (not included):
Some records may require external archive checks or copying.
These costs are never incurred without your approval.
Possible fees may include:
The National Archives page check (£9.92).
Copying fees for archival material (set by the specific archive, depending on page volume).
Examples of my research work
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ERIC CHARLES CARRICK (WWII)
This case study reconstructs the wartime service of Eric Carrick, focusing on his infantry service during the Italian Campaign, his capture at Anzio in 1944, and his subsequent imprisonment as a Prisoner of War.
The research combines his soldier's paybook, POW documentation, and unit histories to create a clear and coherent narrative of his military experience.
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My YouTube Channel
I use YouTube to share my research into the British Military during the First and Second World Wars.
My videos explore wartime operations and naval history, drawing on unit histories and ship logs, amongst other documents, including primary sources and contemporary accounts.
I aim to make historical research accessible, provide context, and share broader insights into military and naval life during the Wars.
Some of this work is supported through Patreon, which helps fund additional research and historical projects.
Please note that commissioned research reports are private, confidential and not shared publicly. My YouTube work is separate and does not include family information.
More about me
I hold a first-class undergraduate degree in psychology and have professional experience working in the community mental health sector.
I previously worked for the NHS in a busy Emergency Department, and currently work with young people.
This background shapes my careful, ethical approach to researching sensitive family histories - particularly where records are incomplete, ambiguous or emotionally significant.
I understand that this matters deeply, and I approach every piece of research with that in mind.
I am beginning my MA in Military History in September. I have a special interest in researching the Royal Navy - specifically the Submarine Service - between 1914 and 1945.
I’m based in Dorset (with my Husband and cat!) - it's a beautiful region deeply connected to Britain’s wartime story through military training, embarkation, and the legacy of the First and Second World War.
Before you contact me:
Some enquiries lead to a detailed reconstruction of an individual’s service; others provide valuable clarity about what records have survived.
Both outcomes can be meaningful, and I will always be honest about what research is likely to achieve before any work begins.
If you’re unsure whether meaningful research is possible, I'm happy to take a look at the available records before you commit.
This provides an initial assessment of likely record survival and includes basic catalogue and index searches to establish what material may exist, before committing to a full research project.
When contacting me, it’s helpful (but not essential) to include:
The individual’s full name.
Date and place of birth (if known).
Service branch (Army, Royal Navy, RAF, or Merchant Navy).
Any documents, photographs, or family information you already have.
If this approach sounds right for you, I’d be very happy to hear from you!
