We retrieve it. We decode it. You share the story.
Provide your Digger's record link. One of us collects every page from the National Archives by hand - carefully, page by page - then the decode does the rest, emailing your finished documents within 2 business days.
Retrieve and decode my record - $99Two ways to hear their story
Same decode, same documents - the only difference is who gets the record pages.
We retrieve and decode
Provide your Digger's record link. One of us collects every page from the National Archives by hand - carefully, page by page - then the decode does the rest, sending an email on completion.
- ✓You supply: RecordSearch link, name, service number
- ✓Every page saved by hand, full resolution
- ✓Word narrative + Excel, emailed to you
- ✓Within 2 business days · one record per order
For records already digitised: if your link opens in the Archives' online viewer, we can retrieve it.
Upload and decode
You've already downloaded the page images from the National Archives yourself - upload them and the decode runs while the kettle boils. An email will send on completion.
- ✓You supply: JPG page images from RecordSearch
- ✓Same decode, same two documents
- ✓Usually ready in 8 to 35 minutes
Don't have the images yet? Our free guide shows how to save them yourself - and keep the $40.
If we can't decode a record you've supplied - or retrieve one whose link opens in the viewer - full refund. No questions.
There's no shortcut behind this, by design. The National Archives doesn't provide an automated connection, so a person retrieves every record individually, with the care the collection deserves. That's what the two business days are for.
What you'll get back
Your ancestor's story
A Word document with their full service narrative - postings, movements, and key dates mapped against the events of the war. Written so your whole family can read and understand it.
Every line decoded
An Excel spreadsheet with every entry from the original record translated into plain language. Abbreviations, unit codes, medical categories, discharge types - all of it.
Nothing skipped
Every page of the record is processed. Whether it's 8 pages or 30, we decode the lot. You get the complete picture, not a summary.
How it works
Order with your Digger's record link
Find their record on RecordSearch at the National Archives, check it opens in the online viewer, and paste the link when you order. Secure payment via Stripe, with a confirmation email straight away.
A person retrieves every page
The National Archives cares for more than 40 million records, and the full-resolution page images our decode needs are large files, saved one page at a time. One of us collects your Digger's record by hand.
The decode runs
Our research engine processes every page - extracting, deciphering, researching historical context, and building your complete narrative.
Your story arrives
Within 2 business days of your order, your finished Word narrative and Excel spreadsheet arrive by email. Ready to read, print, and share with your family.
Who this is for
👤 "I found the record, I just can't get the images."
You've seen your Digger's record on the National Archives site, but saving dozens of full-resolution pages one at a time isn't how you want to spend an evening. Send us the link - we'll do that part.
🎁 "I want to give this as a gift."
A decoded service record makes a meaningful gift for a parent, grandparent, or sibling. We deliver it to you - you decide how to share it. Perfect for birthdays, Father's Day, Mother's Day, or family reunions.
⏰ "I don't have time to figure this out myself."
Provide the record link and open your email two days later - that's the whole job. If you'd rather save the $40 and download the images yourself, our free guide shows you how.
Common questions
What records can you decode?
Australian military service records held by the National Archives of Australia, covering the Boer War through to Vietnam (1899-1975). This includes Army, Navy, and RAAF records across all conflicts in that period.
What do I need to provide?
Three things, all on the order form: your Digger's RecordSearch link (from recordsearch.naa.gov.au), their name, and their service number. Check the link opens in the Archives' online viewer before you order - that's how you know the record is digitised and we can retrieve it. If you only have a PDF of the record, email it to matilda@decodemydigger.com.au and we'll find the link for you.
How long does it take?
Within 2 business days of your order for records that are already digitised. Retrieval is manual work - a person saves every page individually - and the decode itself then runs the same day the pages are in.
Is the retrieval automated?
No. The National Archives doesn't provide an automated connection, and we wouldn't use one. A member of our team retrieves each nominated record individually through RecordSearch, the same way any family researcher would - one record at a time, page by page.
What if my Digger's record isn't digitised yet?
If a record you've nominated turns out not to be digitised, we refund your order in full and point you to the National Archives' copy-ordering service at naa.gov.au, where you can order digitisation directly. The Archives may charge a fee depending on the record, and digitisation can take some months - once it's online, we'd be glad to decode it.
Can I buy this as a gift?
Yes. Order with the record link, and we'll deliver the finished documents to you - you choose how and when to share them with your family.
How is this different from the $59 upload-and-decode option?
Same decode, same two documents. With upload-and-decode you download the page images from the National Archives yourself and upload them - the result usually lands within the hour. With retrieve-and-decode, we do the downloading for you and everything arrives within 2 business days. If you're happy to save the images yourself, keep the $40 - our free guide shows how.
What if the record is unreadable or damaged?
Some records have sections that are difficult to read due to age, damage, or handwriting quality. We'll decode everything we can and clearly note any sections where the original is too damaged to interpret. If we can't produce a meaningful result, you get a full refund.