The papers include: official material, mainly from the 1920's and 30's and the Second World War; personal correspondence with Elmhirst's wife and family; Elmhirst's memoirs, both written and recorded; articles and lectures.

Letter from Air Marshal Sir John Salmond to WSC sending card for his brother-in-law, Matthew Smith's exhibition of paintings, also commenting on the "infantile paralysis" affecting his Home Defence Force.

Letter from Robin Grosvenor, Sun Rising House, Banbury, to WSC, stating that he had been offered command of the Nottinghamshire Squadron of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force, but that it would be difficult to accept because of "finance and distance". Asking if he would be willing to approach "Bend'or", Hugh, 2nd Duke of Westminster for help.

Cutting from The Morning Post - Britain's Need of Air Bombers - Far Behind Germany in First Line Strength - Rapid Expansion Abroad.

Letter from Air Commodore Peregrine Fellowes, Chester Street, London SW1 to WSC, on forthcoming debate in the House of Commons on the Air Estimates. Asking for meeting to discuss the state of the RAF [signature cut out, with covering note from Violet Pearman].

Letter from Sir Abe Bailey, Bryanston Square, London, W1 to WSC, congratulations on "air speech", defending the Government's decision to increase the size of the RAF, in the House of Commons, also praising Stanley Baldwin's speech in the same debate.

Letter from Lord Rothermere, Burghfield House, Dornoch, Sutherland, to WSC, on his speech in air debate in the House of Commons. Asking where he obtained the information that Germany would only have "a few hundred aeroplanes" by the end of 1935. Stating that his information was that they would have a force of around 20,000 aircraft by that date "Is everybody in this country blind?".

Letter from WSC to David Margesson, Government Chief Whip, sending House of Commons Amendment to the Address representing that the strength of British Air defences was "no longer adequate to secure the peace, safety and freedom of Your Majesty's faithful subjects" signed by WSC, Sir Robert Horne, Leo Amery, Frederick Guest, Lord Winterton and Robert Boothby.

Letter from Lord Winterton, Eccleston Square, London SW1 to WSC, stating that he had been told "on high authority" that the Government were going to announce that they would "concertina" the five year RAF expansion into two years. Suggesting that a shorter period and a greater extension was necessary.

Letter from Desmond Morton, Beaufort Gardens, London SW3 to WSC, congratulations on "masterly" speech in the Air debate in the House of Commons. Expressing relief that Stanley Baldwin had pledged not to allow the strength of the RAF to fall below that of Germany. Commenting on Baldwin's statements on the relative strength of the two air forces.

Letter from WSC to Colin Coote, The Times, commenting on the Air Debate in the House of Commons, particularly the anxiety of the Government to classify the 127 territorial Air Force machines with the best front line aircraft. Commenting that these were the oldest, had no reserves, and only weekend pilots. [carbon].

Letter from WSC (War Office) to [David Lloyd George] on the need to form the Cabinet, to tax war profits, to cut Government spending, to define future role of the Army, Navy and Air Force and assign the appropriate resources, to check unnecessary spending by the Admiralty, preferably by bringing the Navy as well as the other two services under a Ministry of Defence. Copy in WSC's hand.

Extract from a book [by James Johnston, retired member of the Indian Civil Service] criticising the apparent intention to rely on the RAF rather than the Army to maintain internal order in India. Sent with CHAR 2/193/128-129.

Letter from Desmond Morton, (Earlylands, Crockham Hill, Edenbridge, Kent) to WSC, on relative air strength of Britain and Germany, stating that the number of military aircraft in the possession of the German Air Ministry and available for home defence in Britain were about the same, but that all of the German aircraft were new.

Telegram from President Roosevelt to WSC outlining proposal for United States military to assume responsibility for ferrying combat aircraft for Britain from production plant to delivery point for collection by RAF.

Telegram from WSC to President Roosevelt accepting reorganisation of aircraft delivery [see CHAR 20/39/52 for proposal]; and commenting on reasons for withdrawal from Crete [Greece].