This series consists of the files of ex-servicemen who fought in the 1914-18 War, or of their dependants. Each file deals with one individual and may consist of one or more of the following: "R" file, "M" file, "C" file and "H" file.

Upon the death of the ex-serviceman, the files are combined and filed by the "M" file number (in early files the "R" number). "R" file: This is usually only a grey file cover.

"R" stood for "Registration" and all particulars were completed on the return of the servicemen to Australia, usually before they were disembarked. This "Jacket" form became a coverall for a number of files, and originally all files except the pension file took their number from it. The "R" file is sometimes the basis for the "M" file and early files use only R not M, on this file. It has now been completely phased out.

"M" file: This contains particulars of service, disability and medical history, treatment, dependants, correspondence regarding claims and entitlements, and tribunal records (ie. all matters except pensions). Particulars of service usually include the Service documents, the basis of which are the AMF attestation papers. They may also include medical reports, casualty forms, and demobilization papers.

"C" file: This is the pension file, and contains all details of entitlements and claims, appeals and records of evidence, review of pensions, medical reports, correspondence between pensioners and the Commission, etc. In some cases this file was originated by the Department of the Treasury, Pensions branch, under the War Pensions Act, 1914-1916. Repatriation retained the initial prefix when they took over the file. It is probable that the "C" prefix was assigned by Treasury to War pension files. Until January 1956 the "C" files had different numbers from the "M" files, but were then altered to the"M" number and created with the same number. "H" files: This is the clinical treatment file, or hospital file. It is maintained in the Repatriation institution where the ex-serviceman is being treated, and usually returned to the Repatriation General Hospital registry when no treatment is being given. On the death of the member it is amalgamated with his other files at Branch Office registry.

Between early/and mid 1974 no Hospital files of members who died in a Repatriation institution were archived, due to a research programme at Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital. The practice of separation of these files has now been discontinued. Some files also contain "sub-files", examples being Service Pension sub-files or Clinical Summary sub-files. During the long period of time over which these records were built up, numerous different forms have been used. The attached list taken from Repatriation Department General Orders 1919 details the most common ones. Most of them were modified and modernized in some details over the years, but retained their basic purposes.

Prior to transfer, those files belonging to winners of awards above Military Medal, holders of rank above Colonel, or persons of public prominence were separated out for permanent retention. War Widows files: These have the same number as the relevant members' files, but are prefixed by MB, HB, MBX or HBX as the case may be. These have formerly been either destroyed, or archived with the personal case files, but are now kept as a separate series for research purposes.

Boer War Ex-Servicemen's files: In the past these were kept as a separate series, with BW prefix, and most have been destroyed. Files are now raised within the "personal case files, World War I" series, with no distinguishing prefix.

Quantity in agency custody

Br. : ? held by agency

This Series was closed 27 June 2012 and replaced by A14148 and A14149.

Related series unregistered

Nominal card index to applicants for benefits