More than 25,000 case files from military Pensions Appeal Tribunals for World War I veterans or their families are now available to search and view. 

They detail physical and psychological war injuries and the impact they had on the men’s ability to earn a living.

It was difficult to qualify for a war pension. People had to prove that an illness or death was directly due to war service, or aggravated by it. 

In 1919, campaigners won a right of appeal and tribunals were set up across the country. 

You can now search and view case papers from Scottish tribunals.

Searching the records

The case files are detailed, ranging from 4 to 40 pages. You can search by name, location, service branch, military unit (e.g. regiment) and service number. 

Searching records and viewing summary information is free of charge. There is a fee to view images of the original records.

What information can you find?

Case files include medical notes, details of war service and employment records from before and after the war.

Some papers contain statements in the men’s own words. If the man had died, a claim could be made by his dependants, usually a widow and children. 

The men’s widows, siblings or mothers might have given statements. Military veterans’ organisations or employers sometimes wrote in support of their case.

You may discover new and potentially upsetting details of their lives. Alongside details of gunshot wounds and gas damaged eyes or lungs sits information about physical, mental and sexual health. 

These records include terms and language from their historical context which are no longer accurate or acceptable.  

Why are they important?

These records are a rare survival from this era. Records of Pensions Appeal Tribunals held in England and Wales have not survived for this period.

Scotland’s People will gradually provide access to almost 30,000 records in total. More cases will be added each January when they pass 100 years from the date of the hearing.

You can find more information on how to search these records and what they contain in our research guide. 

Read stories from the records.