Source Information
Ancestry.com. UK, World War II Allied Prisoners of War, 1939-1945 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2018.Original data: AIR 40: Rolls of POWs 1939-1945, WO 392: POW lists 1943-1945, WO 361: Casualties and Missing Personnel 1939-1945, WO 345: Japanese Index cards of Allied POWs 1942-1947, The National Archives of the UK, Kew, Surrey, England.
The National Archives give no warranty as to the accuracy, completeness or fitness for the purpose of the information provided. Images may be used only for purposes of research, private study or education. Applications for any other use should be made to The National Archives Image Library, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 4DU, Tel: 020 8392 5225. Fax: 020 8392 5266.
About UK, World War II Allied Prisoners of War, 1939-1945
Historical Context
During the Second World War, hundreds of thousands of allied troops were captured during and following military battles and were held in Prisoner of War Camps in both Europe and Asia. Whilst a large number were liberated once fighting had ceased, sadly many died before the end of the war, whilst being held in the camps. This collection contains information about the soldiers captured, where they were held and often, what happened to them.
The Records
Whilst details vary between sets of records, you may find the following information (where available):
- Name
- Camp name
- Nationality
- Place and Date of birth
- Place and Date of death
- Father’s name
- Mother’s name
- Gender
- Date and Place of Capture
- Service (e.g. Army, Air, Navy, Civilian)
- Service rank
- Service number
Updates: November 2020 - we have published images on Ancestry and added records that were previously excluded due to privacy restrictions and are now available.