Scope and Contents Correspondence with Lady Lockyer concerning the storage of Royal Observatory chronometers at her house in Sidmouth for the duration of the war, 1940.Correspondence with Professor Greaves of the Royal Observatory, Edinburgh, concerning the transportation of chronometers from Greenwich to Edinburgh for safety during the war, 1940.Correspondence with His Majesty's Chronometer Depot concerning arrangements for the removal of stocks of Admiralty navigational equipment from Bristol...

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A manuscript regarding the bombing of London during 1940-1944, detailing the number of houses destroyed, people killed, bombs dropped, etc., and stating when the Royal Observatory was bombed. There is also a photograph of the damage incurred by the Observatory.

Scope and Contents Most of the records retained by the Chronometer Department date to the Herstmonceux era and relate to the service, repair and overhaul of Admiralty owned chronometers at the workshop there. Many of the files bear ‘Chronometer Laboratory’ file series numbers 38 or 39 and have been grouped accordingly. A series of photographs (series 4) includes images of H1, H4 and Kendall 1 and 2, along with two sets of photographs showing the Chronometer Department and staff at Bradford on Avon during the...

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This collection consists of the papers of the Ministry of Defence Chronometer Department (series 1), based at Bradford on Avon (1939-1948) and then Herstmonceux Castle. Also catalogued here are two donated collections: papers relating to marine chronometers by John Hobden who worked at the Chronometer Department (series 2); and papers and photographs from George W. Rickett (1903-1978) who ran the Chronometer Department while it was based at Bradford on Avon (series 3).

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Records of staff undertaking National Service or serving in the Armed Forces, including registration and enlistment details; a letter from the Admiralty regarding the release of female staff for uniformed service; correspondence detailing the deferment of necessary staff from military service; and correspondence concerning Mr Oliver, a conscientious objector.

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A set of black and white photographs passed to the RGO archives by 'Joan' in 1978. Includes images of George Rickett, C. Ryall, A Shortland and others at work in the Chronometer offices and workshop. Some were taken during the Second World War as evidenced by posters in the background. Many are captioned on the back.

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Includes photographs of Vinicio Barocas during and after WW2, two prisoner identity discs from his time in a Canadian internment camp, telegrams to secure his release, photographs of Abinger, an autobiography by Barocas, and a biography of Barocas by his friend Ian Cuerden.

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War-damage visible.

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Photograph showing 1) the war damaged dome and 2) the repaired brickwork around the double doors onto balcony which was breached in December 1947 when the telescope was being removed for transportation to Herstmonceux.

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Regulations and notes covering the conduct and activities of staff at the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, during the Second World War, including aspects of war duty. The entries are arranged alphabetically, and begin with an address list. There are a number of loose items. The volume is initialled H.W.N. on the cover, probably referring to H.W. Newton, who was in charge of the Observatory at this time, and who is mentioned in a note on the inside cover.