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Armed forces

 Subject
Subject Source: UK Archival Thesaurus

Found in 991 Collections and/or Records:

 Fonds

The Papers of A V Alexander

 Fonds
Reference Code: GBR/0014/AVAR
Scope and Contents

The papers of A V Alexander include personal papers; parliamentary and political papers and correspondence; material relating to the Protestant movement and the Co-operative movement; literary material (including speech notes), plus film and photographic material.

Dates: 1903 - 1991
Conditions Governing Access: The collection is open for consultation by researchers using Churchill Archives Centre, Churchill College, Cambridge.
 Fonds

The Papers of Admiral Sir (Arthur) Francis Turner

 Fonds
Reference Code: GBR/0014/TRNR
Scope and Contents

Churchill Archives Centre holds a small collection of Turner's naval papers. It includes material relating to his training and naval career and include some files on aspects of naval engineering and planned maintenance.

Dates: 1931 - 1983
Conditions Governing Access: The collection is open for consultation by researchers using Churchill Archives Centre, Churchill College, Cambridge.
 Fonds

The Papers of Lieutenant-General Thomas Corbett

 Fonds
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CORB
Scope and Contents The collection provides a wealth of information about the training of Staff Officers at Quetta for the Indian Army in the 1920s and 1930s. This material is unexpectedly apposite today since so many Staff College exercises were based on warfare on the North West Frontier and in Afghanistan with Russia as the ultimate enemy. There are numerous files relating to Corbett's endeavours to convert Indian Army cavalry units into armoured vehicle divisions to meet the fighting requirements...
Dates: 1906 - 1950
Conditions Governing Access: The papers are open for consultation by researchers using Churchill Archives Centre, Churchill College, Cambridge.
 Fonds

The Papers of Rear-Admiral John Adams

 Fonds
Reference Code: GBR/0014/ADMS
Scope and Contents

The collection primarily consists of papers relating to Adams' involvement with submarine warfare and includes papers on anti-submarine warfare and the Admiralty underwater weapons establishment.

Dates: 1948 - 1965
Conditions Governing Access: The collection is open for consultation by researchers using Churchill Archives Centre, Churchill College, Cambridge. One file within the collection is closed to researchers.
 Fonds

The Papers of Sir Winston Churchill

 Fonds
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR and CHUR
Scope and Contents The papers consist of original documents accumulated by Sir Winston Churchill throughout his life (1874-1965). They have been divided into two sections: the Chartwell Papers (CHAR) and the Churchill Papers (CHUR). Together, the two sets of papers cover the following major areas: Personal (CHAR 1 and CHUR 1), 1884-1965 The papers of Churchill as a private person. They include correspondence with or about his family and friends on non-public topics and papers relating to...
Dates: The majority of files date from the 1870s to 1965.
Conditions Governing Access: The Churchill Papers are made available to researchers using Churchill Archives Centre and worldwide in digital format. The digital edition of the Churchill Papers is published by Bloomsbury Academic and is available online to subscribing institutions at churchillarchive.com. The Churchill archive is freely available in our reading rooms and onsite at Churchill College (via the Churchill College wireless network). Researchers can download images of documents directly from churchillarchive.com and so are encouraged to consider bringing a laptop or other device for this purpose. For conservation reasons, the fragile originals are no longer issued to researchers. This digital edition is open to researchers unless otherwise marked in the catalogue. Some material has been closed by the Cabinet Office or by Churchill Archives Centre in accordance with data protection legislation.
 File

"The Problem of the Army" and army reform, 1881 - 1947-12

 File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/AMEL 1/1/19
Scope and Contents Memoranda, notes and articles on War Office and army reform relating to LSA's series of articles for the Times, The Problem of the Army, including: account by LSA of writing the articles and his subsequent involvement in reform; extract from speech by Major-General Sir Frederick Roberts on improving the army (1881); notes on colonial forces, particularly in South Africa; annotated reprint of the articles; outline by 2nd Lord Esher [Chairman of the War Office Reconstitution Committee, earlier...
Dates: 1881 - 1947-12
Conditions Governing Access: From the Fonds: The papers are open for consultation by researchers using Churchill Archives Centre, Churchill College, Cambridge.
 Unknown

"Their Finest Hour", 18 Jun 1940

 Unknown
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 9/140A/32-55
Scope and Contents Notes for WSC's speech (18 June) entitled "Their Finest Hour" on subjects including: fighting in France; the importance of unity and respect for government Ministers; preparations, defence and forces for fighting invasion by Germany, the strength of the Royal Navy; the campaign in Norway; forecasting the Battle of Britain and the determination of the RAF; support from the Dominions. He ends "Let us therefore brace ourselves to our duty, and so bear ourselves that if the British Empire and...
Dates: 18 Jun 1940
Conditions Governing Access: Open
 File

Times articles on army reform, 1903-02 - 1903-11

 File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/AMEL 1/1/20
Scope and Contents

Press-cuttings of articles written by LSA for the Times, The Problem of the Army.

Dates: 1903-02 - 1903-11
Conditions Governing Access: From the Fonds: The papers are open for consultation by researchers using Churchill Archives Centre, Churchill College, Cambridge.
 File

Unfiled loose correspondence, 1917-01 - 1917-12

 File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/AMEL 1/3/7
Scope and Contents Correspondence (mainly consisting of letters written by LSA while Assistant Secretary to the War Cabinet) between LSA and correspondents including: Frederick Oliver, on LSA's view of David Lloyd George as Prime Minister, complaints against the Government and the inefficiency of the Admiralty; [William] Sefton Brancker on leaving the post of Director of Air Organisation and LSA's views on the development of aviation routes in the Empire (2); Christopher Addison [Minister in Charge of...
Dates: 1917-01 - 1917-12
Conditions Governing Access: From the Fonds: The papers are open for consultation by researchers using Churchill Archives Centre, Churchill College, Cambridge.
 Item

(Untitled), 05 Mar 1923

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 2/126/14-16
Scope and Contents

Letter from George Holt-Thomas (24 Portland Place, [London) to WSC (2 Sussex Square) arguing that the shareholders of the Aircraft Manufacturing Company Ltd should receive compensation from the Government for their losses following the liquidation of the company after its amalgamation with Birmingham Small Arms Ltd. Encloses a suggested letter of support for WSC's approval [see CHAR 2/126/17].

Dates: 05 Mar 1923
Conditions Governing Access: From the Fonds: The Churchill Papers are made available to researchers using Churchill Archives Centre and worldwide in digital format. The digital edition of the Churchill Papers is published by Bloomsbury Academic and is available online to subscribing institutions at churchillarchive.com. The Churchill archive is freely available in our reading rooms and onsite at Churchill College (via the Churchill College wireless network). Researchers can download images of documents directly from churchillarchive.com and so are encouraged to consider bringing a laptop or other device for this purpose. For conservation reasons, the fragile originals are no longer issued to researchers. This digital edition is open to researchers unless otherwise marked in the catalogue. Some material has been closed by the Cabinet Office or by Churchill Archives Centre in accordance with data protection legislation.
 Item

(Untitled), [Mar] [1923]

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 2/126/17
Scope and Contents

Letter from [WSC] to George Holt-Thomas testifying to the services rendered by the Aircraft Manufacturing Company Ltd during the war in the fields of aeroplane and airship manufacture and supporting the claim that the Government should pay compensation to the company's shareholders. Suggested draft by Holt-Thomas sent with CHAR 2/126/14-16.

Dates: [Mar] [1923]
Conditions Governing Access: From the Fonds: The Churchill Papers are made available to researchers using Churchill Archives Centre and worldwide in digital format. The digital edition of the Churchill Papers is published by Bloomsbury Academic and is available online to subscribing institutions at churchillarchive.com. The Churchill archive is freely available in our reading rooms and onsite at Churchill College (via the Churchill College wireless network). Researchers can download images of documents directly from churchillarchive.com and so are encouraged to consider bringing a laptop or other device for this purpose. For conservation reasons, the fragile originals are no longer issued to researchers. This digital edition is open to researchers unless otherwise marked in the catalogue. Some material has been closed by the Cabinet Office or by Churchill Archives Centre in accordance with data protection legislation.
 Item

(Untitled), 27 Nov [1914] - 30 Nov 1914

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 2/64/32
Scope and Contents

Note by WSC (Admiralty) to Sir Edward Grey [later Lord Grey of Fallodon] rejecting a Swiss complaint about British aircraft crossing their territory, 27 Nov. With reply by Grey that the aviators be given a chance to reply to the complaint., 30 Nov.

Dates: 27 Nov [1914] - 30 Nov 1914
Conditions Governing Access: From the Fonds: The Churchill Papers are made available to researchers using Churchill Archives Centre and worldwide in digital format. The digital edition of the Churchill Papers is published by Bloomsbury Academic and is available online to subscribing institutions at churchillarchive.com. The Churchill archive is freely available in our reading rooms and onsite at Churchill College (via the Churchill College wireless network). Researchers can download images of documents directly from churchillarchive.com and so are encouraged to consider bringing a laptop or other device for this purpose. For conservation reasons, the fragile originals are no longer issued to researchers. This digital edition is open to researchers unless otherwise marked in the catalogue. Some material has been closed by the Cabinet Office or by Churchill Archives Centre in accordance with data protection legislation.
 Item

(Untitled), 16 Oct 1936

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 2/259/71-75
Scope and Contents Letter from Desmond Morton, Crockham Hill, Kent to WSC, stating that the Civil Service proposed to give him a permanent post after 17 years "temporary Service", so that he could eventually draw a pension, and that he had named WSC as a referee. Also commenting on the Prime Minister, Stanley Baldwin, reporting that the opinion of the Carlton Club was that SB was not going until "Death or the Coronation". Also that there was "trouble brewing aboun Anthony Eden (later Lord Avon), Foreign...
Dates: 16 Oct 1936
Conditions Governing Access: Open
 Unknown

(Untitled), 07 Mar 1936

 Unknown
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 2/274/1-2
Scope and Contents

Copy of a letter from WSC to [Pierre] Flandin [Minister of State, France] marked "confidential" asking for French information about the present strength of the German Air Force, predicting 2,000 aircraft by the end of 1936, and asking for information about French expenditure on aviation services for use in debates in Parliament.Carbon typescript. Unsigned.

Dates: 07 Mar 1936
Conditions Governing Access: Open
 Unknown

(Untitled), 13 Apr 1936

 Unknown
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 2/274/12-13
Scope and Contents

Copy of a letter from WSC to Eleanor Rathbone MP marked "private" enclosing a paper by Sir Henry Strakosch, explaining the basis for his figures for German expenditure [on rearmament], his use of confidential sources and his efforts "to find out the truth". He concludes "We really are in great danger."Unsigned carbon typescript.

Dates: 13 Apr 1936
Conditions Governing Access: Open
 Item

(Untitled), 21 Jul 1934

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 2/228/5-6
Scope and Contents

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].

Dates: 21 Jul 1934
Conditions Governing Access: Open
 Item

(Untitled), 26 Jul 1934

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 2/228/7-15
Scope and Contents Letter from Air Commodore Peregrine Fellowes, Chester Street, London SW1 to WSC, on the state of civil and military aviation and the RAF. Complaining that British aviation had been in the hands of a "non flying ring", complaining that the Air Council and most of the senior officers in the RAF had not flown as pilots for many years. Stating that there was dissatisfaction in junior ranks because of the "practical ignorance" of their seniors. Praising the efforts of the Secretary of State for...
Dates: 26 Jul 1934
Conditions Governing Access: Open
 Item

(Untitled), 31 Jul 1934

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 2/228/16
Scope and Contents

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.

Dates: 31 Jul 1934
Conditions Governing Access: Open
 Item

(Untitled), 01 Aug 1934

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 2/228/17-18
Scope and Contents

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?".

Dates: 01 Aug 1934
Conditions Governing Access: Open
 Item

(Untitled), 06 Aug 1934

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 2/228/19-22
Scope and Contents Letter from WSC to Lord Rothermere, on his sources of information for the size of the German air force. Stating that he believed that the Germans had a regular military air force, in violation of the treaty, of 300 aircraft, against Britain's home defence force of 350 aircraft, and that the Germans were increasing this total to 500 by the end of 1935. These figures took no account of German civil aviation, which was five times the size of Britain's, a large part of which was rapidly...
Dates: 06 Aug 1934
Conditions Governing Access: Open
 Item

(Untitled), 10 Aug 1934

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 2/228/23
Scope and Contents Letter from Lord Rothermere, Burghfield House, Dornoch, Sutherland to WSC, on the size of the German air force. Confirming that his sources had stated that German air preparations far exceeded anything accomplished by any of the belligerents during the War, and that within two months the Junkers Works at Dessau would be as large as the Bethlehem Steel Works in Pennsylvania and three times as large as the Fords Works at Dagenham. Stating that pilots were being "trained by the thousand", and...
Dates: 10 Aug 1934
Conditions Governing Access: Open
 Item

(Untitled), 11 Aug 1934

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 2/228/24
Scope and Contents Letter from Lord Rothermere, Burghfield House, Dornoch, Sutherland, to WSC, asking if the publication of his supposition that Germany had between 10,000 and 20,000 aircraft would lay WSC open to "grave criticism". Stating that all of his information "corroborates my belief that Germany is building aeroplanes in series just like sewing machines or motor cars. We are not an air minded people and quite fail to comprehend that there is very little difference between the manufacture of an...
Dates: 11 Aug 1934
Conditions Governing Access: Open
 Item

(Untitled), 14 Aug 1934

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 2/228/25
Scope and Contents

Letter from WSC to Lord Rothermere, on the size of the German air force. Stating that his figure of 500 aircraft related purely to military aircraft and did not take into account conversion from civil aviation. Hoping that Rothermere would publish his information in the Daily Mail. "Even at my figures, which I gather the Government do not dispute, the prospect is most alarming, and their measures hopelessly inefficient" [carbon].

Dates: 14 Aug 1934
Conditions Governing Access: Open
 Item

(Untitled), 18 Nov 1934

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 2/228/31-33
Scope and Contents

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.

Dates: 18 Nov 1934
Conditions Governing Access: Open
 Item

(Untitled), 20 Nov 1934

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 2/228/34
Scope and Contents Letter from H A Gwynne, The Morning Post, London, to WSC, on his Amendment to the Address on the inadequacy of Britain's air defence. Stating that it was very unfair that the Labour Party should be allowed to pose as pacifists when the question of building of defences was discussed. Suggesting that he "call their bluff", and ask them directly "Are you in favour of Hitler and all he stands for, or are you not? If you are not, then you must support my Amendment. If you are, then have the...
Dates: 20 Nov 1934
Conditions Governing Access: Open