The War Office records copied under the auspices of the Australian Joint Copying Project relate mainly to Australia and New Zealand. Troops in the Colonies were under the control of each Governor, although administratively they were controlled from London. Thus a great deal of material concerning troops and defence, especially before 1840, is to be found in the Governors' despatches in the Colonial Office records. In 1870 the Colonies became responsible for their own defences.
A digitised copy of Part 4 of the Handbook is available online.
Content
The following list provides, at Class-level, the content of War Office records contained within the AJCP. Piece Lists and Dates may be found in Part 4 of the Handbook.
CORRESPONDENCE
WO 1 In-Letters (1841-1855)
WO 3 Out-Letters. Commander-in-Chief (1854)
WO 4 Out-Letters. Secretary-at-War (1847-1853)
WO 6 Out-Letters. Secretary of State (1841-1858)
RETURNS
WO 10 Muster Books and Pay Lists. Artillery (1845-1870)
WO 12 Muster Books and Pay Lists. General (1798-1877)
WO 17 Monthly Returns (1790-1865)
WO 22 Out-Pensions Records, Royal Hospital Chelsea. Pension Returns (1845-1880)
WO 25 Registers, Various (1789-1869)
WO 127 South African War. Local Armed Forces, Nominal Rolls (1901-1902)
MISCELLANEA
WO 28 Headquarters Records (1841-1855)
CORRESPONDENCE
WO 32 Registered Papers, General Series (1855-1856)
WO 40 Selected Unnumbered Papers (1802)
WO 43 Selected 'V.O.S.' and 'O.S.' Papers (1846-1850)
ORDNANCE OFFICE
WO 44 In-Letters (1838-1855)
WO 54 Registers (1832-1833)
WO 55 Miscellanea (1828-1860)
COMMISSARIAT DEPARTMENT
WO 57 In-Letters (1810-1815)
WO 58 Out-Letters (1817-1858)
PRIVATE COLLECTIONS
WO 80 Murray Papers (1841-1844)
JUDGE ADVOCATE GENERAL'S OFFICE
WO 82 Office Day Books (1817-1863)
WO 86 Courts Martial. District Courts Martial (1829-1865)
WO 89 Courts Martial. General Courts Martial (1812-1829)
WO 90 Courts Martial. General Courts Martial, Abroad (1796-1900)
WO 92 Courts Martial. General Courts Martial, Registers (1806-1838)
WO 93 Courts Martial. Miscellaneous Records (1806-1833)
WAR OF 1939-45
WO 201 Military Headquarters Papers: Middle East Forces (1941-1944)
WO 202 Military Headquarters Papers: Military Missions (1943-1949)