Can I search for more than one ANZAC?

Yes, you can register multiple times and search for a different ANZAC each time. There is no limit to the number of times you can register under the same name/number/email and search.

I'm not sure which search result is the right one

If you're not sure which result is your ANZAC, you can select up to five search results at a time and click 'Send me the timeline' to receive a link to each of the five memorial timelines. You can also register and search multiple times.

What if I only know the nickname of the ANZAC?

You can try and search for the ANZAC's nickname, but they probably enlisted under their full name. Common variations include Jack/John, Jimmy/James, Hank/Henry, Dick/Richard.

Can I use a middle name in my search?

Yes, if you know the middle name/s you can include it in the first name field. For example, John Philip James.

My ANZAC's name is not in the search results

Australian War Stories uses a database compiled from individual military records on the men and women who served overseas during the First World War. Every effort has been made to verify the accuracy of personal data, however sometimes primary sources contain conflicting detail and/or omissions, including missing data and misspelt names.

You can try different spelling variations in your search, for example, McDonald/Macdonald. It is estimated that approximately 1,500 embarkees used aliases (not their real name/s) when they enlisted. If you know the alias try searching for that.

Australian War Stories online memorials are available for approximately 330,000 individuals who embarked overseas during the First World War from 1914 to 1918. It does not include the estimated 80,000 individuals who, for a variety of reasons, enlisted but did not embark overseas or the approximately 2,000 members of the Naval and Military Expeditionary Force (ANMEF) formed in August 1914.

I don't have a family member who served overseas during the First World World War - can I still use Australian War Stories?

Yes! You can search for the name of any ANZAC who embarked overseas during the First World War.

Many Australians today have no direct family connection, but you can still pay tribute to an ANZAC veteran from your community by doing some online research or visiting your local war memorial, selecting a name and discovering their journey on Australian War Stories.

I haven't received an email with the link

Please check your email address was entered correctly on the registration page. If in doubt, add your details and search again. Sometimes emails get caught in spam or junk folders.

I haven't received a text message with the link

Please check your mobile number was entered correctly on the registration page. If in doubt, add your details and search again.

How do I read the memory cards in the memorial timeline?

Click on a card to open it and read the text. Use the arrows at the bottom of the pop-up to view the slideshow of images and video for each of the cards. Click the cross in the top right-hand corner to close the memory card before opening the next. Click here to view the explainer video.

Where can I find out more about an ANZAC?

Australian War Stories provides both specific and general information about an ANZAC's journey. This has been sourced from original war service and embarkation records, such as the Attestation Paper which is included in the memorials. Digitised service records are available online from the National Archives of Australia.

I think something in an ANZAC memorial is incorrect

While every effort has been made to verify the accuracy of the content of the individual memorial timelines, including personal data, enlistment and embarkation details, unfortunately on occasion primary sources contain conflicting detail and omissions.