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 Sir Kingsley Wood, Secretary of State for Air, (Air Ministry) to WSC agreeing that Germany may try to attack the Air Force as an initial act, and explaining that steps had been taken to protect the aircraft industry.

Letter from Squadron Leader Charles Anderson (Royal Air Force Station, Catfoss, near Hull [Yorkshire]) to WSC, enclosing a memorandum on the unfitness for service of a number of aerodromes on the West Coast, rendering trained men such as himself unemployed during a time of shortage of men and machinery.

Letter, annotated, from WSC to Sir Archibald Sinclair [Secretary of State for Air, later 1st Lord Thurso] on the removal from office of Air Chief Marshal Sir Hugh Dowding [Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Fighter Command]. [Carbon].

Copy of a letter from WSC to [Walter] Long [later Lord Long, First Lord of the Admiralty] marked "most secret" on subjects including: his intentions toward the Royal Air Force and the Army; the independence of the Air Force and Air Ministry; proposals to enhance the the character of the air force with unique ranks and titles; organisation of the Air Council and proposed appointments.Carbon typescript signed with initials.

Telegram from General Sir Archibald Wavell [Commander- in-Chief, India and Burma] to WSC on need for more aeroplanes in India and crew for Burma [later Myanmar]; International Air Force based in Burma should be placed under Wavell's control.

Telegram from Prime Minister of Australia [Robert Menzies] to WSC asking for projected German moves around Turkey and Libya; also on the failure to provide anticipated strength bomber and fighter squadrons.

Telegram from Air Chief Marshal Sir Arthur Tedder [Air Officer Commanding in Chief, Middle East] to WSC expressing confidence in assisting the army offensive.

Telegram from Air Chief Marshal Sir Arthur Tedder [Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Middle East] to WSC: battle report; mentions Tobruk, Derna, Bardia [Libya], Malta and Benghazi.

Telegram from General Sir Claude Auchinleck, Commander-in- Chief, Middle East, to WSC on subjects including a tank encounter to the south of Agedabia [Ajdabiyah, Libya], the accuracy of RAF bombing and the movement of enemy ships from Ras el Aali.

Telegrams from General Sir Claude Auchinleck, Commander- in-Chief, Middle East, to WSC on subjects including: activity in Agedabia [Ajdabiyah, Libya]; RAF bombing of Ras Aali; prisoner-of-war figures; fighter planes over Agedabia; news from Lieutenant-General Neil Ritchie [Commander of 8th Army] on the Allied capture of Bardia, and release of British prisoners-of-war.

Telegram from Commanders in Chief (Middle East) to WSC giving details of German and Allied army strengths at the beginning of "Crusader" [codename for British North African operation], including details of losses on both sides and reasons for Allied success.

Telegram from WSC to Air Officer Commanding Iraq congratulating him on vigourous action [in suppressing the revolt].

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].

Telegram from WSC to Minister of State, Middle East [Oliver Lyttelton, later 1st Lord Chandos] complaining about delays in unloading tanks and proceeding with operations; Air Chief Marshal Sir Wilfrid Freeman has corrected the alarmist view of Air Chief Marshal Sir Arthur Tedder [Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Middle East] on enemy air superiority.

Telegram from WSC to Prime Minister of New Zealand [Peter Fraser] with comparisons of enemy and allied strength, agreed by Air Chief Marshal Sir Arthur Tedder [Air Officer Commanding in Chief, Middle East] and Air Chief Marshal Sir Wilfrid Freeman, anticipating large scale offensive.

Telegram from WSC to Prime Minister of Canada [Mackenzie King] reciting telegram correspondence between himself and President Roosevelt and requesting co-operation with Roosevelt's proposal that United States aircraft for the RAF should be delivered via Canada.

Telegram from WSC to General Sir Archibald Wavell Commander-in-Chief, Middle East] thanking him for recent report but requesting details of air power, transport and reinforcements required, and reiterating that objective is not capturing targets but destruction of the armed forces of the enemy.

Telegram from General Edward Spears [Head of British Mission to General Charles de Gaulle] to WSC with message from General Charles de Gaulle [Chief of the Free French] refusing to allow French aviators to join RAF as they are deserters by French Law, and suggesting that the men in question are offered British nationality.