The records of thousands of people who served in the First World War, including some famous names, have been released online by the British Red Cross.

The launch is part of a wider project to digitise its collection of personnel records for the Voluntary Aid Detachments (VADs) which were formed by the Red Cross and the Order of St. John.

The new site will allow people to search for family members and explore the work of Red Cross volunteers.

Included in the records is author Agatha Christie and Vera Brittain.

Due to the huge number of records involved, names and details are being put online in stages and surnames starting with A, B and C are now available to view.

Click here to view the website and start a search.