Polish Military Identity Cards - The Polish Genealogist

For those researching their Polish ancestors’ military history, Polish Military Identity Cards (Legitymacja Wojskowa) are an invaluable source of information. These documents, issued to soldiers serving in the Polish Armed Forces, served as official proof of military identity and contained crucial details about their service. Many Polish veterans, particularly those who served during World War II, carried these cards both during and after their military service. Today, these identity cards can provide essential clues for genealogists seeking to uncover an ancestor’s wartime experiences.

What Information Do Polish Military Identity Cards Contain?

Polish Military Identity Cards varied in format depending on the time period and military branch, but they typically included:

Personal details – full name, date and place of birth, and sometimes family information.
Service number – a unique military identification number assigned to each soldier.
Unit and rank – details of the unit the soldier belonged to and any rank advancements.
Photograph – an official photo of the soldier, which can be a rare and valuable visual record.
Issuing authority and stamps – official validation from the military command or government in exile.
Awards and commendations – sometimes listed on the back or in attached documents.

These cards were particularly important for Polish soldiers serving under British command during World War II, as they helped identify Polish troops who were part of the Polish Armed Forces in the West. Many of these identity cards continued to be used post-war, especially for veterans who settled in the UK or other Allied countries.

Where Can You Find Polish Military Identity Cards?

Locating an ancestor’s Polish Military Identity Card depends on several factors, including whether the family retained the document or if it was archived in an official repository. Key places to search include:

Family archives – Many veterans kept their identity cards as proof of service, especially when applying for post-war benefits or residency in the UK.
Ministry of Defence (MOD) Archives (UK) – The MOD holds service records for Polish soldiers who served under British command, and these records may include references to military identity documents.
Polish Central Military Archives (CAW) – Based in Warsaw, the Centralne Archiwum Wojskowe holds pre-World War II and some wartime records, including identity documents of soldiers who remained in Poland.
The Polish Institute and Sikorski Museum (London) – This institution houses extensive records related to Polish forces in exile, including possible identity card records.

If an original identity card cannot be found, military service records from the MOD or Polish archives may reference its issuance, providing indirect confirmation of service.

Army Book 64 – The British Soldier’s Pay and Service Book

The Army Book 64 was a standard-issued pay and service book used by the British Army during World War II. It served as a personal record for each soldier, documenting their service details, pay entitlements, leave records, and other essential military information. While primarily used for British personnel, Polish soldiers who served under British command—such as those in the Polish Armed Forces in the West (PSZ na Zachodzie)—were often issued this book as well.

For genealogical research, the Army Book 64 is a valuable document, as it often contains:

Personal details – name, date and place of birth, next of kin.
Enlistment information – date and place of enlistment, unit details.
Rank and promotions – record of rank advancements and unit postings.
Pay and allowances – financial records, including deductions and special payments.
Medical history – notes on injuries, vaccinations, and medical leave.
Demobilisation details – dates and conditions of discharge from the military.

Many Polish veterans who settled in the United Kingdom after the war kept their Army Book 64 as proof of service, especially when applying for post-war benefits or British residency. If an ancestor served in the Polish forces under British command, searching for an Army Book 64 in family archives or the MOD records can provide essential insights into their wartime service.

Allied Military Identity Card – Identification for Foreign Troops in Allied Service

The Allied Military Identity Card was an official document issued to foreign soldiers serving under Allied command during and after World War II, including thousands of Polish troops in the Polish Armed Forces in the West. It served as proof of military status, essential for identification, movement between units, and post-war resettlement. Typically, the card contained personal details, such as full name, date of birth, nationality, and a service number, along with rank, unit affiliation, and a photograph for identification. Stamped and signed by British or Allied military authorities, it was valid for the duration of service and often retained as proof of military history. For many Polish veterans, especially those who remained in the United Kingdom after the war, this document was crucial when applying for residency, pensions, or naturalisation. Today, these identity cards can be found in family collections, Ministry of Defence (MOD) archives, or institutions like The Polish Institute and Sikorski Museum in London, providing invaluable information for genealogists tracing Polish military ancestors.

Military Identity Cards in Citizenship and Genealogical Research

For descendants of Polish soldiers, these military identity documents can serve as proof of Polish ancestry, which is often required for citizenship confirmation or dual nationality applications. Since Polish law recognises citizenship through descent, proving an ancestor’s Polish military service can help establish an unbroken lineage of citizenship. Identity cards, along with Zeszyty Ewidencyjne (Service Record Books) and other military documents, can be used as supporting evidence in such cases.

From a genealogical perspective, these identity cards provide valuable insights into an ancestor’s military service, their movements during wartime, and their post-war fate. They are often the first step in uncovering a wider range of military records.

Modern Polish Military Identity Cards

In modern Poland, the Legitymacja Wojskowa (Military Identity Card) serves as an official document issued to active-duty soldiers, reservists, and veterans of the Polish Armed Forces. It functions as both an identification document and proof of military status, granting certain rights and privileges to its holder. Unlike historical military identity documents, which were primarily paper-based booklets, today’s Legitymacja Wojskowa is a plastic card containing embedded security features, similar to a national ID or driver’s license.

The modern Military Identity Card includes:

Personal details – full name, service number, and rank.
Unit affiliation – current or last assigned military unit.
Photograph and biometric data – for identity verification.
Validity period – the document remains active during service and can be reissued upon promotion or status change.
Access permissions – in some cases, the card allows entry to restricted military facilities.

For retired veterans, a special Veteran’s Military Identity Card (Legitymacja Weterana) is issued, granting certain benefits, such as healthcare services, discounts, and official recognition of military contributions. These modern documents, while primarily administrative, remain essential for proving an individual’s military service in legal, historical, and genealogical contexts.

For those researching recent family military history, obtaining a modern military identity card record through Poland’s Ministry of National Defence (Ministerstwo Obrony Narodowej – MON) can help confirm service details and establish links between past and present generations of military personnel.