Do you have a military ancestor in your family tree? Unsure how to interpret their service records or identify their uniform?
Join us for a special opportunity to meet Graham Bandy, live and in person. Graham is an experienced military historian and genealogist, who will be available at the Society of Genealogists to answer your questions on military family history. Following the surgery Graham will be giving two talks "The Story of Nursing in the British Army" and "Deciphering Military Medical Records".
Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned researcher, Graham’s knowledge and enthusiasm will help you unlock the stories of your ancestors who served in the armed forces.
Bring along your questions and items such as:
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Photographs of ancestors in uniform – need help identifying the regiment, rank, or period?
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Service records – confused by abbreviations, acronyms, or handwriting?
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Medals, badges, or insignia – not sure what they represent or how they were awarded?
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Family stories – want to separate fact from myth?
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Letters, diaries, or postcards from military service – need help understanding the context?
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Questions on where to search next – war diaries, pension records, regimental histories, or archives?
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Guidance on tracing service in conflicts from the 18th century through to more recent wars.
This is a fantastic chance to gain expert insight into military records and uncover new details about your family’s military past.
Book in advance to share your question with Graham before the event and give him time to think about the answers. You are welcome to come along on the day too but we cannot guarantee answers.

About the Speaker
Graham Bandy
Graham Bandy has spent most of his life either in the army, in nursing, or doing both. He runs Living Military History and specialises in military history research and the identification of military photographs, uniforms, and cap badges. Graham has been an onscreen researcher/presenter for WDYTYA, and currently writes monthly for Family Tree Magazine. He has published two books so far with Pen and Sword on genealogical military history, and has appeared at Family Tree Live and WDYTYA Live as the photographic and military expert. Graham can also be seen at a number of Family History Fairs around the country where he identifies and dates military photographs for people and helps signposts attendees to records and further information. Graham also talks and writes on a wide range of social topics from in and around his family tree areas in Northamptonshire, Buckinghamshire, and Oxfordshire.A member of several Family History Societies, and also the Military History Society and the Society for Army Historical Research.

08/11/2025
10:30 - 13:00
Society of Genealogists
In-Person drop in