Royal Navy
Organization
Found in 28 Collections and/or Records:
File
Literary: Sunday Chronicle articles by WSC., 02 Jan 1938 - 27 Mar 1938
File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 8/619
Scope and Contents
Includes galley proofs and press cuttings from the Sunday Chronicle for: "I Escape" on WSC's capture by the Boers and details of his subsequent escape; "The Blunder that Beat Germany" on the Battle of the Marne [France]; "The True Story of the Tank" on the development of the tank during World War I, its initial rejection, WSC's intervention, and its first use in action; "When Britain Nearly Starved" on the German submarine campaign during World War I, British anti-submarine warfare, and...
Dates:
02 Jan 1938 - 27 Mar 1938
Conditions Governing Access:
Open
Unknown
"Navy Estimates", 18 Mar 1912
Unknown
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 9/42/1-22
Scope and Contents
Typescript speaking notes for WSC's speech (House of Commons) on subjects including: naval armaments; detailed explanation of the naval estimates and predictions; increase of German naval power; the importance of maintaining the fleet at the minimum level "consistent with full security"; plans for construction of ships which will be modified to follow German naval construction; docks; oil; aviation and shipbuilding capacity; the importance of a strong fleet to Great Britain; plans for the...
Dates:
18 Mar 1912
Conditions Governing Access:
Open
File
Public and Political: General: Defence: Correspondence and papers., 09 Jan 1937 - 23 Feb 1938
File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 2/302
Scope and Contents
Correspondents include: Sir Philip Gibbs on the inefficiency of the RAF; Sir Eustace Tennyson d'Eyncourt [former Vice-President of the Tank Board] (2); Sir William Beveridge [Director of London School of Economics and Political Science]; Oswald Frewen on working with German and Italian sailors, German fanaticism, Italian aid to Franco and how the policies of Neville Chamberlain [Prime Minister] encourage Germany and Italy; Leo Amery; Basil Liddell Hart; Vice-Admiral Sir Reginald Henderson...
Dates:
09 Jan 1937 - 23 Feb 1938
Conditions Governing Access:
Open
File
Public and Political: General: Defence: Correspondence etc., 12 Jan 1936 - 27 Nov 1936
File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 2/266A-B
Scope and Contents
Correspondents include: Basil Liddell Hart [Military Correspondent to the Times] on the troop system used in India; "Harold R" [1st Lord Rothermere, earlier Sir Harold Harmsworth] on subjects including 1st Lord Weir's position in defence [as Adviser to the Air Ministry], the likely stop to any battleship programme, pilot training, the likelihood of a quick German victory against Britain and France, German contempt for the British Government, and the Government's refusal to discuss the...
Dates:
12 Jan 1936 - 27 Nov 1936
Conditions Governing Access:
Open, (folio 93 opened as a 'sanitised' photocopy, original closed on advice of Cabinet Office).
File
Public and Political: General: Personal Office correspondence, A-B, many congratulating WSC on becoming Prime Minister and praising his leadership and speeches. [please note that almost the whole file dates from 1940]., Jun 1903 - Feb 1941
File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 2/392A-B
Scope and Contents
Correspondents include: Vyvyan Adams (4) including (2) on his attending a meeting addressed by WSC; [John] Sandeman Allen on [David Lloyd George]; [1st] Lord Alness [earlier Robert Munro]; Julian Amery [Attache HM Legation, Belgrade] on articles by WSC for publication in Yugoslavia [later Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Slovenia] (4); Leo Amery [Secretary of State for India and Burma, later Myanmar] sending on a 1903 letter from WSC to him on...
Dates:
Jun 1903 - Feb 1941
Conditions Governing Access:
Open
File
Public and Political: General: Personal Office: Correspondence L - Q., 28 Jul 1939 - 20 May 1940
File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 2/366
Scope and Contents
Correspondents, mainly congratulating WSC on his appointment as First Lord of the Admiralty, and on his broadcasts (1 October ["The first month of war"] and 12 November ["Ten weeks of war"]) include: George Lambton; Sir Walter Layton on reactions to WSC's description of the Germans as Huns; Frederick Leathers; "Charley" [7th Lord Londonderry, earlier Lord Castlereagh] on subjects including his differences with [Neville Chamberlain], Prime Minister, on foreign policy, the results of WSC's...
Dates:
28 Jul 1939 - 20 May 1940
Conditions Governing Access:
Open
File
Public and Political: General: Royal Navy and Fleet Air Arm., 11 Feb 1936 - 21 Dec 1936
File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 2/272
Scope and Contents
Correspondents include: 1st Lord Lloyd [of Dolobran, President of the Navy League] on WSC speaking to the League (2); Sir John Thornycroft [President and Director, J I Thornycroft and Company Limited] on his firm's designs for an aircraft carrier and anti-submarine craft and cuts in the shipbuilding industry (with a description of the anti-submarine craft); Maitland Boucher [former member of the Naval Air Division] on meeting WSC about the Fleet Air Arm (3); Vice-Admiral Sir Reginald...
Dates:
11 Feb 1936 - 21 Dec 1936
Conditions Governing Access:
Open
File
Speeches: House of Commons and Non-House of Commons: Speech notes., 05 Mar 1952 - 26 Jun 1952
File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHUR 5/47A-B
Scope and Contents
Speech notes, typescript and galley proofs for WSC's speech (5 March, House of Commons) entitled "Defence" on subjects including: WSC's resignation as Minister of Defence; the Conservatives' voting on defence while in Opposition; the short-fall of defence spending; aid from the United States; the scarcity of home defence, and the training of new forces, including the registration of the Home Guard and forming of new battalions; the extension of National Service; armoured forces and new...
Dates:
05 Mar 1952 - 26 Jun 1952
Conditions Governing Access:
Open
File
Speeches: House of Commons and Non-House of Commons: Speech notes and source material., 15 Nov 1949 - 30 May 1951
File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHUR 5/41A-C
Scope and Contents
Speech notes for WSC's speech (10 April 1951, House of Commons) entitled "Budget Proposals and Economic Survey" on the results of devaluation, the Government's use of high taxation to meet the cost of rearmament instead of curbing spending, and the general mismanagement of the economy. Source material includes notes by "Prof" [1st Lord Cherwell, earlier F A Lindemann] on subjects including the balance of trade, British war debts and the inadvisability of consulting the Empire over the...
Dates:
15 Nov 1949 - 30 May 1951
Conditions Governing Access:
Open
File
Speeches: House of Commons and Non-House of Commons: Speech notes and source material., 06 Nov 1951 - 22 Dec 1951
File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHUR 5/45A-C
Scope and Contents
Speech notes and extract from Hansard for WSC's speech (6 November, House of Commons) for the debate on the address, on subjects including: the political divisions in the country; the charge of war-mongering laid against the Conservatives, and the need for steady government; the restoration of university representation in Parliament; the repeal of the Iron and Steel Nationalization Act; future parliamentary business, including the defence debate; keeping the Minister of Education out of the...
Dates:
06 Nov 1951 - 22 Dec 1951
Conditions Governing Access:
Open
File
Speeches: House of Commons: speech notes and other material., 21 Feb 1939 - 27 Apr 1939
File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 9/134A-B
Scope and Contents
Notes for WSC's speech (21 February) on the defence loan, aircraft production, delays in rearmament, creating a Ministry of Supply, co-operation with France, and mobilisation in the event of a war. Also includes relevant extract from Hansard. Published: Complete Speeches VI pp 6064-71.Notes for WSC's speech (14 March) on the army estimates, German war preparedness, arming the territorial army, and numbers assigned for possible overseas service. Also includes relevant extract from Hansard....
Dates:
21 Feb 1939 - 27 Apr 1939
Conditions Governing Access:
Open
File
Speeches: House of Commons: speech notes and source material., 27 Jan 1937 - 24 May 1937
File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 9/123
Scope and Contents
Rough notes for WSC's speech (27 January) on air defence, comparing British and German air strength. Source material includes copy of Hansard for 12 November 1936 containing WSC's speech ["The locust years"]. Published: Complete Speeches VI pp 5825-7.Notes for WSC's speech (4 March) on the defence loan bill, praising its long term nature, but expressing concern over Britain's defences in the immediate future. Published: Complete Speeches VI pp 5830-5.Notes for WSC's speech (11 March)...
Dates:
27 Jan 1937 - 24 May 1937
Conditions Governing Access:
Open
File
Speeches: House of Commons: speech notes and source material., 22 Feb 1938 - 24 Mar 1938
File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 9/128
Scope and Contents
Notes for WSC's speech (22 February) on [Anthony] Eden's [later 1st Lord Avon] resignation as Foreign Secretary, Eden's achievements, relations with Italy, and past foreign policy mistakes, which includes the phrase "This has been a good week for Dictators". Source material includes text from the Daily Telegraph on the Italian view of Eden, and a cutting on German reaction to international press criticism. Published: Complete Speeches VI pp 5911-7.Rough notes for WSC's speech (28 February)...
Dates:
22 Feb 1938 - 24 Mar 1938
Conditions Governing Access:
Open
File
Speeches: House of Commons: Speech notes and source material., 30 Apr 1941 - 10 Jun 1941
File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 9/178A-C
Scope and Contents
Speech notes for statement by WSC (30 April) on the evacuation of Empire forces from Greece, giving details of casualties. Published: Complete Speeches VI, p 6385.Speech notes for WSC's speech (7 May) on the war situation including: a Vote of Confidence in parliament; events and operations in Greece, the Balkans, and Libya including the defence of Tobruk against forces under Field Marshal Erwin Rommel; a comparison of Hitler with Napoleon; production of tanks; the Battle of the Atlantic and...
Dates:
30 Apr 1941 - 10 Jun 1941
Conditions Governing Access:
Open
File
Speeches: House of Commons: Speech notes and source material., 23 Apr 1942 - 02 Jun 1942
File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 9/184A-C
Scope and Contents
Speech notes for WSC's speech (23 April) in secret session on the war situation including: Japan's entry into the war; setbacks including battleship losses; defence of the Admiralty over the escape of the German battlecruisers Scharnhorst and Gneisenau; events and operations in the Far East, the Middle East and the Soviet Union; air battles including the bombing of Germany; and aircraft and ship production. Also includes correspondence from: Maurice Dean [Assistant Under Secretary of State,...
Dates:
23 Apr 1942 - 02 Jun 1942
Conditions Governing Access:
Open
File
Speeches: House of Commons: Speech notes and source material., 19 Jul 1944 - 08 Aug 1944
File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 9/200A-B
Scope and Contents
Speech notes for WSC's statement (2 August) on the war situation including: successes against Germany and Japan world-wide including the Far East; decisions made at the Quebec [Canada] conference; the Normandy landings; RAF losses; the tanks supplied by the United States and praise for the Sherman and Churchill tanks; the progress of General Sir Harold Alexander [Commander in Chief of the Allied Armies in Italy]; his hopes of victory; flying bombs and the evacuation of London; improved...
Dates:
19 Jul 1944 - 08 Aug 1944
Conditions Governing Access:
Open
File
Speeches: House of Commons: speech notes and source material., 16 Mar 1936 - 30 Apr 1936
File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 9/117
Scope and Contents
Notes for WSC's speech (16 March) on British naval strength in relation to the United States and Japan, and on building new ships. Published: Complete Speeches VI pp 5705-13.Brief notes for WSC's speech (26 March) on foreign policy, a speech by the Foreign Secretary [Anthony Eden, later 1st Lord Avon], German successes, including the reoccupation of the Rhineland [Germany], sanctions against Italy over its invasion of Abyssinia [Ethiopia], and the League of Nations. Published: Complete...
Dates:
16 Mar 1936 - 30 Apr 1936
Conditions Governing Access:
Open
File
Speeches: House of Commons: speech notes and source material., 04 May 1936 - 20 Jul 1936
File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 9/118
Scope and Contents
Notes for WSC's speech (4 May) on navy estimates and the position of the Fleet Air Arm. Published: Complete Speeches VI pp 5734-45.Source material for WSC's speech (?15 May) on the Coal Mines Bill. Includes correspondence from Frederick Leathers, Sir Samuel Instone, and other interested parties; objections from the Mining Association; later file note indicating the removal of material; copy of the bill.Notes for WSC's speech (21 May) on the Minister for Co-ordination of Defence [Sir Thomas...
Dates:
04 May 1936 - 20 Jul 1936
Conditions Governing Access:
Open
File
Speeches: House of Commons: speech notes and source material., 28 Jul 1936 - 10 Dec 1936
File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 9/119A-B
Scope and Contents
Notes for WSC's speeches (28 and 29 July, Secret Defence Deputation to the Prime Minister [Stanley Baldwin]) on the relative strengths of the British and German air forces, the war making capacity of British and German industry, British air training facilities, and German power to bomb British cities.Notes for WSC's speech (5 November) on supporting the League of Nations, collective security, and policy towards Germany and Italy. Published: Complete Speeches VI pp 5800-4.Notes for WSC's...
Dates:
28 Jul 1936 - 10 Dec 1936
Conditions Governing Access:
Open
File
Speeches: House of Commons: Speech notes and typescript., 20 Mar 1917 - [Jun] 1917
File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 9/54
Scope and Contents
Statement by WSC (20 March) entitled "Report of the Dardanelles Commission" pointing out the report's inaccuracies and defending his own actions as First Lord of the Admiralty. Published: Complete Speeches III pp 2524 - 2539.Speech notes by WSC on the Royal Flying Corps and Royal Naval Air Service, and the need to develop their role against zeppelins at home and at sea, and against submarines.Speech notes by WSC [? April] on the Corn Production Bill.Speech notes and typescript of a statement...
Dates:
20 Mar 1917 - [Jun] 1917
Conditions Governing Access:
Open
File
Speeches: Non House of Commons: Speech notes and source material., 12 Oct 1942 - 06 Dec 1942
File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 9/189
Scope and Contents
Speech notes for WSC's speech (12 October, Usher Hall, Edinburgh, Scotland) on receiving the freedom of the city entitled "Our greatest glory" on: King George VI and Queen Elizabeth; the death of George, Duke of Kent; his visit to inspect the fleet; his links with Scotland; speeches made by Hitler, [Joachim von] Ribbentrop and [Hermann] Goering; events and operations in the Soviet Union and the Battle of the Atlantic. Also includes correspondence from Captain Ronald Brockman [Admiral's...
Dates:
12 Oct 1942 - 06 Dec 1942
Conditions Governing Access:
Open
File
Speeches: speech notes., 22 Oct 1945 - 26 Apr 1948
File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHUR 5/17A-G
Scope and Contents
Speech notes for WSC's speech (8 March 1948, House of Commons) on navy estimates including: the absence of enemies at sea; the importance of the navy to sustaining the British empire; criticism of the Labour government's secrecy about their naval policy and naval estimates; previous mistakes in naval policy; the scrapping of ships; and his experiences as First Lord of the Admiralty. Source material includes: notes from Elizabeth Gilliatt [Secretary to WSC] and "N S" ["Jo" Sturdee, later Lady...
Dates:
22 Oct 1945 - 26 Apr 1948
Conditions Governing Access:
Open
File
Speeches: speech notes and source material., 18 Feb 1937 - 25 May 1937
File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 9/125
Scope and Contents
Notes for WSC's speech (18 February, [Grosvenor House, London] British Iron and Steel Federation Annual Dinner) on the state of the iron and steel industry and defence spending. Part published: Complete Speeches VI pp 5827-8.Notes for WSC's speech (22 February, [Porchester Hall] Paddington [London]) supporting the Municipal Reform Party in the London County Council election, criticising local Labour policy and Herbert Morrison [Leader of the LCC]. Source material includes election notes,...
Dates:
18 Feb 1937 - 25 May 1937
Conditions Governing Access:
Open
File
Speeches: speech notes (by WSC as First Lord of the Admiralty) and other material., 20 Jan 1940 - 29 Feb 1940
File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 9/143
Scope and Contents
Notes for WSC's broadcast (20 January, BBC) on the war situation, entitled "A house of many mansions" on the German threat to neutral and allied shipping, to neutral nations, and Finland's stand against the Soviet Union. Also includes cuttings from the Times and the Listener containing the text of WSC's broadcast. Published: Complete Speeches VI, pp 6183-6.Notes for WSC's statement (24 January, House of Commons 1922 Committee) on British naval strength, the U-boat war, pocket battleships,...
Dates:
20 Jan 1940 - 29 Feb 1940
Conditions Governing Access:
Open
Item
(Untitled), 19 Jan 1912 - 13 Feb 1912
Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 13/14/53-58
Scope and Contents
Letter from Admiral of the Fleet 1st Lord Fisher to WSC [First Lord of the Admiralty] with congratulations on his speech [to the Clyde Navigation Trustees, 9 February] on the Navy in Glasgow [Scotland]; Fisher comments on warship design and construction, advising strongly against announcing building programmes two years ahead, and building ships known to be obsolete; includes press cuttings from the Times on ship design and extract from the Fleet showing Vice-Admiral Sir John Jellicoe,...
Dates:
19 Jan 1912 - 13 Feb 1912
Conditions Governing Access:
Open