Skip to main content

Armed forces

 Subject
Subject Source: UK Archival Thesaurus

Found in 246 Collections and/or Records:

 File

Speeches: Non House of Commons: Speech notes and source material., 09 Jan 1941 - 27 Apr 1941

 File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 9/181A-B
Scope and Contents Speech notes for WSC's speech (9 January, Pilgrim's Society Luncheon, Savoy Hotel, London) entitled "United States co-operation" proposing a toast to Lord Halifax [earlier Edward Wood and Lord Irwin] on his appointment as British Ambassador to the United States and on the death of [11th] Lord Lothian [earlier Philip Kerr]. Published: Complete Speeches VI, pp 6327-9.BBC broadcast by WSC (9 February) entitled "Give us the tools" on the war situation including: the repulsion of the threat of...
Dates: 09 Jan 1941 - 27 Apr 1941
Conditions Governing Access: Open
 File

Speeches: speech notes and other material., 09 Jan 1941 - 27 Apr 1941

 File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 9/150A-B
Scope and Contents Notes for WSC's speech (9 January, Pilgrim's Society Luncheon, Savoy Hotel, London) entitled "United States co-operation" proposing a toast to Lord Halifax [earlier Edward Wood and Lord Irwin] on his appointment as British Ambassador to the United States and on the death of [11th] Lord Lothian [earlier Philip Kerr]. Also includes cutting from the Times reporting WSC's speech. Published: Complete Speeches VI, pp 6327-9. Various cuttings reporting WSC's speech (17 January, Glasgow [Scotland])...
Dates: 09 Jan 1941 - 27 Apr 1941
Conditions Governing Access: Open
 File

Speeches: speech notes and source material., 19 Mar 1934 - 24 Jul 1934

 File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 9/110
Scope and Contents Notes for WSC's speech (19 March, Mansion House, London) on ex-services welfare. Source material includes letter from George Tryon [Minister of Pensions], cutting from the Manchester Guardian, statistics on the scale of losses for various nations in World War I, and suggested headings for WSC's speech. Part published: Complete Speeches V p 5349.Rough notes for WSC's speech (20 April, Mansion House, London, Honourable Company of Merchant Mariners Dinner) on the courage of the merchant service...
Dates: 19 Mar 1934 - 24 Jul 1934
Conditions Governing Access: Open
 File

Speeches: speech notes and source material., 01 Nov 1934 - 04 Dec 1934

 File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 9/111
Scope and Contents Notes and draft press statement for WSC's speech (1 November, Woodford Bridge [Essex], Constituency meeting) on subjects including the need for Conservatives to be ready for the next general election, the National government, India and air defence against Germany. Part published: Complete Speeches V pp 5389-90.Notes and drafts for WSC's speech (16 November, BBC broadcast) entitled "The Causes of War" on German domestic policy, and the German threat to Europe and Britain. Also includes galley...
Dates: 01 Nov 1934 - 04 Dec 1934
Conditions Governing Access: Open
 File

Speeches: speech notes (some by WSC as First Lord of the Admiralty) and other material., 30 Mar 1940 - 01 Oct 1940

 File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 9/144
Scope and Contents Notes for WSC's broadcast (30 March, BBC) entitled "A hideous state of alarm and menace" on the fate of the neutral nations, German atrocities, particularly in Poland, and wishing to avoid conflict with the Soviet Union. Also includes various cuttings reporting the speech. Part published: Complete Speeches VI, pp 6199-201.Notes for WSC's broadcast (19 May, BBC) entitled "Arm yourselves and be ye men of valour" on the war situation in France and the formation of the coalition government,...
Dates: 30 Mar 1940 - 01 Oct 1940
Conditions Governing Access: Open
 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
 Item

(Untitled), [Jun] [1933]

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 2/193/130-131
Scope and Contents

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.

Dates: [Jun] [1933]
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), 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), 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
 Item

(Untitled), 28 Nov 1934

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 2/228/47
Scope and Contents

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.

Dates: 28 Nov 1934
Conditions Governing Access: Open
 Item

(Untitled), 29 Nov 1934

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 2/228/48-51
Scope and Contents

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.

Dates: 29 Nov 1934
Conditions Governing Access: Open
 Item

(Untitled), 29 Nov 1934

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 2/228/52
Scope and Contents Letter from Colin Coote, The Times, to WSC, congratulations on speech on defence in the House of Commons. Commenting on the absence of any official comment on German dual-purpose aircraft, stating that he disliked the easy assumption that it took months to turn a civilian pilot into a military one "the professional bunkum to which regular officers are all too prone". Stating that during the War he used to be told that it took months to make a machine gunner "but in point of fact anyone of...
Dates: 29 Nov 1934
Conditions Governing Access: Open
 Item

(Untitled), 03 Dec 1934

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 2/228/53
Scope and Contents

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].

Dates: 03 Dec 1934
Conditions Governing Access: Open
 Item

(Untitled), 20 Dec 1940 - 21 Dec 1940

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/7/66-67
Scope and Contents

Personal Minute M 427 from WSC to Air Chief Marshal Sir Charles Portal [Chief of Air Staff] asking him to take a few days rest as so much depends on him and overworking will not help [copy]; with reply from Portal thanking him for his concern.

Dates: 20 Dec 1940 - 21 Dec 1940
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
 Unknown

(Untitled), 08 Feb 1919

 Unknown
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 16/1/45-50
Scope and Contents

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.

Dates: 08 Feb 1919
Conditions Governing Access: Open
 Item

(Untitled), Feb 1940

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 19/6/2
Scope and Contents First Lord of the Admiralty's printed minutes, February 1940.Includes texts of minutes from WSC (sometimes annotated with additional printed information) to: the Sea Lords, particularly 1st [Sea Lord, Admiral of the Fleet Sir Dudley Pound] and [3rd Sea Lord and] Controller [Rear-Admiral Bruce Fraser]; various naval directors; [Permanent] Secretary [Sir Archibald Carter]; Sir James Lithgow [Controller of Merchant Shipbuilding and Repairs]; Deputy Chief of Naval Staff [Rear-Admiral Tom...
Dates: Feb 1940
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
 Item

(Untitled), 10 Jul 1940

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/2A/27-28
Scope and Contents

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].

Dates: 10 Jul 1940
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
 Item

(Untitled), 19 Sep 1939

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 19/2A/40
Scope and Contents

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.

Dates: 19 Sep 1939
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open.
 Item

(Untitled), 16 Sep 1939

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 19/2A/41-42
Scope and Contents

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.

Dates: 16 Sep 1939
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open.
 Item

(Untitled), 28 Sep 1940 - 29 Sep 1940

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/3/25-32
Scope and Contents

Letter from Group Captain Charles Anderson to WSC enclosing a detailed paper on the training of RAF pilots, and a suggested system to reduce costs.

Dates: 28 Sep 1940 - 29 Sep 1940
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open