This article on the Certificate of Employment Army Form Z. 18 will explain what the document is and how to use it to help you research a soldier who served in the British Army during the First World War. I have written a series of guides to help you research soldiers who served in the British Army:
Certificate of Employment During the War Army Form Z. 18
Army Form Z. 18 is one of the documents a soldier was given shortly before they were demobilized and is often found alongside Army Form Z. 11 Protection Certificate and Certificate of Identity. The form is particularly useful if you’re researching a soldier who did not serve outside of Britain or Ireland during the war and whose service record has been lost. On the reverse of the form it was recorded:
The object of this certificate is to assist the soldier in obtaining employment on his return to civil life. The form will be completed as soon as possible in accordance with Demobilization Regulations.
As soon as signed and complete it will be given to the soldier concerned and will remain his property. He should receive it as early as is compatible with making the necessary reference in order that he can either send it home or keep it in his possession.
One form will be issued to each man, and no duplicate can ever be issued.
The Certificate below belonged to 127082 Private Ernest James Flack who served with 35th Company, Royal Army Medical Corps. Ernest was demobilized on 7 July 1919 and the document dates from this period. Ernest was working as a Dental Mechanic before the war and continued his trade in the army where he served for just over a year in Britain. If Ernest’s service record had been lost then it’s likely that this document would be the only surviving record of his military service during the war.
Question 4 refers to “Military qualifications as shewn in Army Book 64” which was a Soldier’s Pay Book for use on Active Service. For special remarks, the following was recorded for Ernest:
This man has been employed at The King George Hospital, Stamford Street, London S.E.10 as a Dental Mechanic and his work has given every satisfaction.
If you have an Army Form Z.18 and want to research the soldier it was awarded to, I would recommend searching their surname and regimental number on FindmyPast’s Military, Armed Forces and Conflict section. The banner below will take you to their website. A service record is the key document to find but many were destroyed in the Blitz. However, as long as a soldier served abroad during the war medal records will be available.
