The story of
The double agent who hid D-Day from the Nazis: Elvira Chaudoir
A life of charm, high-stakes, and duplicity saw Elvira Chaudoir play a cunning role in the Allied victory at D-Day.
Military and war
From the Middle Ages to the Cold War, our records document the conflicts that have shaped the nation. They can highlight human stories behind military campaigns, showing how society and people’s lives can be changed forever by the devastation of war.
Stories from the collection
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Focus on
The Bethnal Green Tube shelter disaster
On one tragic night in March 1943 in Bethnal Green, East London, 173 people lost their lives taking shelter from German bombing as the air raid sirens sounded. -
Record revealed
List of HMS Victory's killed and wounded at the Battle of Trafalgar
We hold one of the lesser known records from the Battle of Trafalgar, the Surgeon’s journal for HMS Victory by William Beatty. -
Focus on
Battling ‘General Malaria’ on the Macedonian front, 1915–1919
Medical case sheets from the 28th General Hospital, Salonika, reveal an especially deadly peril on the front lines: malaria. How was it fought? -
Record revealed
A dramatic plea for Churchill’s help from Bletchley Park
In 1941, four Government Code and Cypher School cryptanalysts, including Alan Turing, made a stunning appeal directly to Winston Churchill. -
The story of
The loss of SS Arandora Star
In July 1940 the Arandora Star was torpedoed by a German submarine. More than 800 people were killed, many of them Italian civilians being deported to Canada. -
The story of
Britain’s youngest prisoner of war: John Giles Hipkin
14-year-old cabin boy John Giles Hipkin became Britain's youngest Second World War prisoner of war in 1941 after he was captured at sea. -
The story of
Roger Bushell and the 'Great Escape'
Roger Bushell (1910–1944) was a pilot, prisoner of war (POW), and mastermind of the ‘Great Escape’ from Stalag Luft III in March 1944. -
Focus on
The East River Column: the rebels who helped Second World War prisoners of war
Discover how this guerrilla group played a significant role in opposing Japan and aiding Allied prisoners of war around Hong Kong. -
The story of
Judy, the only dog registered as a prisoner of war
Judy's remarkable story is one of capture, survival and courage, and offers a unique tale of internment during the war. -
Record revealed
Secret letter sent to British Secret Services
During the Second World War, some British prisoners of war were able to send secret messages and intelligence back home via creative and unusual ways. -
Record revealed
The Geneva Convention, 1949
This document sets out the laws its signatory nations agreed to follow around the treatment of prisoners of war, those in medical need, and civilians. -
The story of
Nancy Wake
Nancy Wake (1912–2011), an agent for the Special Operations Executive, was the most wanted woman in France during the Second World War. -
Record revealed
War diary from 1939 with posters and Christmas cards
War diaries were historical records created by units in the British Army during wartime. This one is unusual: it contains posters and Christmas cards. -
The story of
Virginia Hall
Virginia Hall (1906–1982) was an American who served with the British Special Operations Executive in France in 1941–1942 and built a career in espionage. -
Record revealed
The Treaty of Versailles
This debated document officially ended the First World War and set out the terms and conditions for peace, and determined the course of the 20th century. -
Focus on
The papers of Nuestra Señora de Covadonga, a Spanish treasure galleon
This previously unknown set of records from an 18th-century galleon shines a light on one of history's most significant trade routes. -
Record revealed
Secret map of operations in North Burma
This map was provided to soldiers during the first operation by the Chindits, special forces serving in Japanese-occupied Burma during the Second World War. -
Record revealed
Christine Granville’s application to become a British citizen
Christine Granville, Special Operations Executive agent extraordinaire, was Churchill’s favourite spy. How did this document possibly save her life? -
The story of
Richard III
Through documents held at The National Archives, we can piece together a great deal about the life and reign one of Britain's most infamous medieval monarchs.