The National Roll of the Great War is one of the most sought after sets of reference books of the First World War. The National Publishing Company attempted, shortly after hostilities ceased, to compile a brief biography of as many participants in the war as possible. The vast majority of entries refer to combatants who survived the Great War or Special War Workers ( such as munitions workers) and is often the only source of information available.

Fourteen volumes were completed on a regional basis and as a project team we are fortunate that Section V covers Luton and surrounding areas. The volume can be found in Luton Central Library and is also available in a paperback fascimile edition published by The Naval & Military Press.

I am currently engaged in checking the National Roll against the names on this site uploaded from the Absent Voters List. Since the National Roll like the AVL lists an address and a regiment for the soldier it is possible to double check that the two entries are the same person and to add more details to the individual's  record on the website. Since the AVL was compiled in early 1918 many of the soldiers listed did survive the war but I have also found some who were killed later in 1918 and in that case I have been able to find more details on the Commonwealth War Graves website.   I am finding that it is a time consuming but fascinating task to add more biographical information for some of the names on the website.  I hope that this will enable future family historians to learn about their soldier ancestor, as well as providing a lasting tribute to those who served.