Ray Westlake - Tracing the Rifle Volunteers: A Guide for Military and Family Historians

The Army List

By far the most comprehensive record of officers that served in the Volunteer Force is the War Office Monthly Army List. These record every officer serving as of date of publication - although a List dated, eg, January 1860, will be correct up to the previous month. Here we have names, ranks, dates of commissions, which enable the researcher to compile a full record of a mans journey through the officer ranks from his entry into the Volunteer Force through to such time that he retires, resigns or dies. Later on, as Volunteer officers were required to pass as efficient in various subjects; these qualifications are also shown.

Muster Rolls

Although other ranks do not appear in the Army List their names were recorded in muster rolls compiled by individual volunteer corps. Here we will usually find name, rank, date of enrolment into the corps, address and occupation. Sadly, these precious references are now few and far between. Look for them in county record offices, local and regimental museums, and the National Archives, which have a good number.

Published Unit Records

If there is any printed matter connected with the Volunteer Force scarcer than the muster roll, it is the published Regimental History. A dozen or so, what might be termed as full records at best, these I have mentioned in my own list of sources and throughout the text. There have been, however, a good number of short booklets, or lengthy magazine articles, published over the years, which are well worth tracking down. Again, county record offices should have these to hand. But knowing what to ask for is always a problem and I recommend - what the military historian anyway has come to term as his bible on such matters - Arthur S Whites A Bibliography of Regimental Histories of the British Army. For many years out of print, but thankfully now available as a reprint from publishers Naval & Military Press, ISBN 9781843421559.

Published General Histories

I can confidently refer to my own work as unique in as much as it is a complete record of every RVC that existed. But for a greatly detailed general account of the Volunteer Force, featuring its social and political aspects, I must recommend Ian F W Becketts Riflemen Form: A Study of the Rifle Volunteer Movement 1859-1908. Again, a much welcome reprint, this time from Pen & Sword, ISBN 9781844156122.

Local Newspapers

Local newspapers are a must. Items notifying meetings to discuss the formation of volunteer corps, who joined them, where they drilled, what they wore, where they camped and what parades they took part in, were regular features.

National Archives

As previously mentioned, there are muster rolls to be seen here. Also recommended are the useful but incomplete Pay Lists for Volunteer Staff (WO 13/4622-4675), Registers of the Volunteer Officers Decoration (WO330/3-4), and Registers for Other Ranks Volunteer Long Service Medal (WO 102/21). Those all-important Army Lists are available on open shelves.