Earlier this month we saw the great Remembrance Day parades in our towns and cities when we paid tribute to those who have died in the major conflicts of the 20th and 21st centuries.

Particularly poignant was the annual march past of former servicemen and women down Whitehall and past the Cenotaph in London. Here hundreds of veterans proudly sported their medals as they remembered fallen colleagues.

It got me thinking about our own family heroes. Many of us have old service medals handed down from father to son. Most are gathering dust in cupboard drawers, but all have a story to tell. So many men served in the First World War that the vast majority of families have a member who served, or who was killed, in the first great conflict of the 20th century.

Millions of servicemen were awarded campaign medals after WW1 and you can discover whether your ancestor was a recipient though the Medal Cards Index. This has been digitised and is available on The National Archives database at www.documentsonline.nationalarchives.gov.uk

There are 5.5 million cards, but finding the one that refers to your particular ancestor has been made quite easy by following TNA's information and search details. There are a number of search options but remember that abbreviations may have been used e.g. Thomas may have been shortened to Thos or even just the initial T. Don’t forget, if you have the actual medals, the personal service number inscribed on the medal can be cross-referenced with the service number on the index card. Copies of each card can be downloaded (cost £3.50).

It is not just military personnel who were entitled to medals – civilians who served in military establishments were also honoured. Some 50,000 women also served abroad in WW1, working as nurses, cooks and administrators.

The Medal Cards Index lists the recipients, the campaigns and theatres of war in which they served, along with their units, rank and personal service number. Changes in rank are noted along with the medals awarded. Thus, from just this card you can trace your ancestor's army career from 1914-1918.

There are six medal categories which can be listed, along with a Mention in Despatches – the lowest form of recognition for an act of gallantry. The medal cards for your ancestor may refer to the following awards:

1914 Star: For service in France and Flanders in 1914.
1914/15 Star: Awarded for service on France and Flanders from November 1914 to December 1915 and any other theatre of war from August 1914-December 1915.
Victory Medal 1914-1919: Awarded to all individuals who saved on a unit in a theatre of war.
Silver War Badge: Awarded to soldiers who were discharged because of sickness or injuries received during WW1, either at home or abroad.
British War Medal 1914-1920: Awarded to all personnel who entered service overseas between 1914 and 1918. It was extended to include service in Russia from 1919-1920.
Territorial Force Medal:The recipient had to have been a Territorial Force member on or before 1914 and to have served in an operational unit abroad between 1914- and 1918.

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