Catalogue description War Office and predecessors: Militia and Volunteers Muster Books and Pay Lists

This series comprises muster books and pay lists of militia and volunteer regiments.

It covers county militias for England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland, also Canada and the Cape; fencibles, yeomanry and volunteers. Many are monthly statements, but some are annual or half-yearly.

Records also cover non-training militia, and disembodied militia (eg - those discharged from embodiment after annual training).

Musters, as well as giving names and ranks, and dates from and to which service was given, may have enrolling and discharge information, and causes of absence, including desertion.

Pay lists give name, rank, dates from and to, the number of days service, the rate of pay, and the amount paid. There may also be details of particular payments (eg beer money), allowances, travelling and lodging information, and vouchers. Those described as "General States" contain a general statement of accounts for the period covered.

See also Armed Forces Service Records in Division within WO

For the continuation of the series see WO 16

For the muster rolls of the London and Middlesex Volunteer Regiment see WO 70

Commissary General of Musters, 1660-1817

Secretary-at-War, 1660-1855

War Department, 1855-1857

War Office, 1857-1964