Inspirational stories of soldiers who won War Badge to go online

Family history website Ancestry.co.uk said the records detail 8.3 million soldiers who received a Silver War Badge.

The medals were to honour their service and to prevent the public labelling them cowards. Each record lists the solder’s name, rank, regimental number, duration of service, reason for discharge, and a number stamped on the rear of each badge.

Many of the badges were sold or lost and are now often found in antique stores, car boot sales and online auctions.

Soldiers listed in the collection included actor Arnold Ridley, who played Private Godfrey in TV’s Dad’s Army, who served from 1915 to 1916 until injuries sustained in the Battle of the Somme led to his discharge.

Ancestry.co.uk international content director Dan Jones, said: “By simply typing in the six-digit number on the back of any Silver War Badge, you will be able to find out to whom the badge was granted and discover the inspirational stories that in many cases lay forgotten.”