Army – Service after World War II

All records of service in the Army after World War II, including service in Korea, Malaya and Vietnam, are maintained by the Central Army Records Office (CARO).

Army personnel files

There is one main series of service dossiers for those serving after World War II (postwar).

Collection references

	Title or description of record	Date range	Series number
	Army personnel files	1947–	B2458

What's in a postwar Army service record?

Army personnel files, or dossiers, are created at the time of discharge by amalgamating several smaller files and documents. The records generally contain documents detailing awards, badges, conduct, compensation, discharge, enlistment, injury, medals, posting and movement, promotion, trade and training.

In addition the dossier contains correspondence between the individual or the individual’s relatives and the Army after the service person left the defence force.

Access to records

For former serving members and their next of kin

If you are a former serving member, or their next of kin, you can obtain a copy of the record of postwar Army service from the Department of Defence by contacting:

Central Army Records Office
GPO Box 393D
Melbourne VIC 3001

From the National Archives

Please note: Central Army Records Office (CARO) is undertaking a project to preserve and catalogue post-WWII Army records. As a result there may be a delay of several months in providing copies of some records. We apologise for the inconvenience.

The National Archives can provide access to postwar Army service records.

Please be aware that under our legislation, Archives Act 1983, the National Archives may only publicly release records which are in the open access period.

Postwar Army service records are held by the SCMA in Victoria. We request records from the SCMA to answer your inquiry.

The service record, if located, will be temporarily transferred to the National Archives' Melbourne office. This process may take up to three months.

Once the record has been received by our Melbourne office, you may choose to purchase a copy. Copying charges will apply. Alternatively, you may view the record in the Melbourne reading room of the National Archives at no cost.

To request a postwar Army service record, please complete the online form – defence service after World War II.

Other contacts

Medals

Information about medal entitlements is available from Defence Honours and Awards; tel: 1800 111 321.

Further information

For more information on Army records see:

You can also browse our other defence, armed services and war records.