Skip to main content

Second World War (1939-1945)

 Subject
Subject Source: UK Archival Thesaurus

Found in 2747 Collections and/or Records:

 File

Speeches: speech notes and other material., 09 Oct 1940 - 24 Dec 1940

 File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 9/145
Scope and Contents Notes for WSC's speech (9 October, [Caxton Hall, London]) on his leadership of the Conservative Party and the retirement of Neville Chamberlain. Published: Complete Speeches VI, pp 6294-6.Notes for WSC's broadcast (21 October, BBC) to the people of France entitled "Dieu protege la France". Also includes French translation of WSC's broadcast. Published: Complete Speeches VI, pp 6296-8.Notes for WSC's speech (9 November, Mansion House [London]) entitled "A long road to tread" on the illness of...
Dates: 09 Oct 1940 - 24 Dec 1940
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 other material., 14 Jul 1941 - 11 Nov 1941

 File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 9/152A-B
Scope and Contents Notes for WSC's speech (14 July, County Hall, London) entitled the "Grit and Stamina of London" on the German bombing of London, the prospects for the future, and British bombing of Germany. Published: Complete Speeches VI, pp 6448-52.Brief notes for WSC's speech (14 July, Civil Defence Review, Hyde Park, London). Published: Complete Speeches VI, pp 6447-8.Also includes cuttings from the Yorkshire Post and the Glasgow Herald reporting the above two speeches.Cutting from the Times on the...
Dates: 14 Jul 1941 - 11 Nov 1941
Conditions Governing Access: Open
 File

Speeches: speech notes and other material., 08 Dec 1941 - 21 Jan 1942

 File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 9/153
Scope and Contents Cuttings from the Listener containing the text of WSC's broadcast (8 December, BBC) entitled "The Great Alliance of Free Peoples" on the attack on Pearl Harbor [United States], liaison with President Roosevelt, and the declaration of war on Japan. [Repeat of WSC's speech delivered to the House of Commons earlier that day with one added paragraph; for further material see CHAR 9/149 and CHAR 9/180] Published: Complete Speeches VI, pp 6523-6.Notes for WSC's broadcast (24 December, Washington...
Dates: 08 Dec 1941 - 21 Jan 1942
Conditions Governing Access: Open
 File

Speeches: speech notes and source material., 03 May 1941 - 26 Jun 1941

 File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 9/151
Scope and Contents Notes for WSC's broadcast (3 May, BBC) to the Polish people on 150th anniversary of the Polish Constitution, commenting on the attack on Poland by Germany, Polish resistance, and praise for Poles in exile in Britain. Also includes cuttings from the Listener containing the text of WSC's speech entitled "Poland will remain unconquerable". Published: Complete Speeches VI, pp 6385-7.Notes for WSC's broadcast (recorded 29 May, broadcast 2 June) to the people of Canada, on Canada's support in the...
Dates: 03 May 1941 - 26 Jun 1941
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
 File

Speeches: speech notes (some by WSC as First Lord of the Admiralty) and other material., 08 Aug 1939 - 24 Jan 1940

 File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 9/138
Scope and Contents Notes for WSC's broadcast (8 August, United States [National Broadcasting Company]) entitled "A hush over Europe" on German and Italian war preparations, and [Adolf] Hitler's pivotal role. Published: Complete Speeches VI pp 6149-51.Notes for WSC's broadcast (1 October, BBC) entitled "The first month of war" on Poland, the Soviet Union, U-boat attacks, the situation in Britain, and Franco-British relations, which includes the phrase that Russia "is a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an...
Dates: 08 Aug 1939 - 24 Jan 1940
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
 Item

'Spitfire PR.IV AA810 No. 1 Photo Reconnaissance Unit, 1941-1942', 2018

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/1058/COL/11/7/Gunn/1
Scope and Contents

Poster featuring Spitfire AA810 with details of the aeroplane and those who flew her, including Gunn.

Dates: 2018
 Sub-Series

Stanley Chown (1911-2002), 1941-12 - 2002-05

 Sub-Series
Reference Code: GBR/1058/COL/11/3/Chown
Scope and Contents From the Series:

Material relating to those with a surname beginning 'C'.

Dates: 1941-12 - 2002-05
 File

Tape 1 of various programmes taped for MS by Elizabeth Mackay, a former television producer, 1940 - 1949

 File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/MCHL 12/1/14
Scope and Contents

Includes: 1. "Royal Wedding", 1949 film with Sarah Churchill [also Sarah Oliver, Sarah Beauchamp and Sarah, Lady Audley]; 2. London Blitz, 29 Dec 1940, St Paul’s Cathedral; 3. Winston Churchill and MS, 1940; 4. Fall 1943, MS, while in the ATS [Auxiliary Territorial Service], visits Kitchener CWAC [Canadian Women’s Army Corps] camp; PBS programme on Kitchener camp.

Dates: 1940 - 1949
Conditions Governing Access: From the Series: Access copies must be requested in advance.
 File

TF1, "8 May 1945", 1945-05-08

 File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/MCHL 12/1/16
Scope and Contents

Footage of [?] the VE Day celebrations.

Dates: 1945-05-08
Conditions Governing Access: From the Series: Access copies must be requested in advance.
 Fonds

The Autobiography of Captain Hank Rotherham

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

This autobiography is typed with some handwritten annotations. Rotherham deals with his early years in the opening pages and briefly summarises his life after leaving the navy in the last pages. The core of his autobiography is about his life in the British Royal Navy.

Dates: 1906 - 1979
Conditions Governing Access: The collection is open for consultation by researchers using Churchill Archives Centre, Churchill College, Cambridge.
 Fonds

The Bickersteth War Diaries and the Papers of John Burgon Bickersteth

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

The 17 volumes cover both World Wars and comprise letters home from the front, accounts of particular events by individual family members, photographs and postcards as well as newspaper clippings and telegrams. They provide a unique perspective on the war years both from those who fought abroad and those who remained at home in Canterbury.

The papers of John Bickersteth are photocopies of correspondence and reports to Maurice Hankey on Canadian affairs (1932 - 1940).

Dates: 1914 - 1972
Conditions Governing Access: The collection is open for consultation by researchers using Churchill Archives Centre, Churchill College, Cambridge.
 Item

'The Coming of War in 1939' by W. N. Medlicott, 1964

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/1058/COL/11/12/Lawrence/3
Scope and Contents

General Series, G. 52. Pamphlet produced by the Historical Association, London. First published in 1963.

Dates: Publication: 1964
 Fonds

The Conference Diaries of Flight Sergeant G. Green

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

This collection consists of notebooks containing diaries of the Atlantic Meeting, Washington, Quebec, Cairo and Yalta conferences. Green tends to record events from his own day but when relevant these include encounters with Churchill and other key figures.

Dates: 1941 - 1946
Conditions Governing Access: The collection is open for consultation by researchers using Churchill Archives Centre, Churchill College, Cambridge.
 Fonds

The Diaries of Fedor Minorsky (alias Theodor Harris)

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

These files mostly consist of drafts, in French and in English, of Minorsky's account of his escape in 1942.

Dates: 1940 - 1950
Conditions Governing Access: The collection is open for consultation by researchers using Churchill Archives Centre, Churchill College, Cambridge.
 Unknown

"The Few", 20 Aug 1940

 Unknown
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 9/141A/37-68
Scope and Contents Notes for WSC's speech covering subjects including: reflections on the differences between the present war and the First World War including weapons, casualty numbers and the increased importance of science and strategy; Britain's aptitude for the new forms of warfare; the decision to enforce a strict blockade on Germany, Italy and France and food supplies and distribution in Europe; review of the war situation; air warfare and the Battle of Britain including the threat of German bombing,...
Dates: 20 Aug 1940
Conditions Governing Access: Open
 File

"The Finest Hours", a Jack Le Vien production, narrated by Orson Welles, 1964

 File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/MCHL 12/1/21
Scope and Contents From the Sub-Series:

Includes news footage of Winston Churchill during the war, documentaries about him, many featuring MS as an interviewee, footage of Churchill's funeral, interviews with MS about her own books, and various events in which she took part.

Dates: 1964
Conditions Governing Access: From the Series: Access copies must be requested in advance.
 Unknown

"The grit and stamina of London", 14 Jul 1941

 Unknown
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 9/152A/1-16
Scope and Contents

Notes for WSC's speech (County Hall, London) on: civil defence forces in London and Civil Defence Review [in Hyde Park]; conditions in London; the German bombing of London; the prospects for the future; improvements to defence and shelters; and British bombing of Germany.Typescript laid out in "psalm style" with manuscript annotations in black ink and red crayon by WSC, and with pencil notes of changes suggested by Herbert Morrison [Home Secretary].

Dates: 14 Jul 1941
Conditions Governing Access: Open
 Fonds

The Journal of Major H. A. Fowle

 Fonds
Reference Code: GBR/0014/FWLE
Scope and Contents These two volumes describe Fowle's journey to Malta in 1941. He travelled on MV Georgic from Gourock in Scotland. He describes daily life on board the Georgic until it arrives in Port Tewfik, Egypt on 7 July and he disembarks the following day. The entry for 15 July includes the news that the Georgic has been bombed by the Germans and Fowle must now await instructions. July and August are spent in Cairo waiting to be moved and during this time the journal is particularly limited to...
Dates: 1941-05-18 - 1941-11-12
Conditions Governing Access: The collection is open for consultation by researchers using Churchill Archives Centre, Churchill College, Cambridge.
 Fonds

The Memoirs of Admiral Sir Manley Power

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

Annotated typescript covering Power's career, particularly on his work with Admiral Sir Andrew Cunningham, Admiral Sir John Cunningham [Commander-in-Chief, Mediterranean, from 1943] on the invasion of Sicily and Italy, his work with Admiral Sir Philip Vian and with Admiral 1st Lord Mountbatten. Includes further notes on Admiral Sir Andrew Cunningham.

Dates: 1960-08 - 1980-08
Conditions Governing Access: The collection is open for consultation by researchers using Churchill Archives Centre, Churchill College, Cambridge.
 Fonds

The Memoirs of Stanley J Sime

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

Naval memoirs, 1928-46

Dates: 1972-08 - 1972
Conditions Governing Access: The collection is open for consultation by researchers using Churchill Archives Centre, Churchill College, Cambridge.
 Fonds

The Memoirs of the Reverend Evelyn Chavasse

 Fonds
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CVSS
Scope and Contents "Business in Great Waters: War Memories of a Semi-Sailor". Unpublished naval memoirs written in 1980. These memoirs cover the period in which Chavasse played a particularly active role in World War II. The memoirs begin with his command of HMS Broadway (formerly the USS Hunt), the early engineering problems and escorting convoys across the North Atlantic from Londonderry to Newfoundland [later part of Canada]. They also cover the period when Chavasse served under Admiral Sir Max Horton,...
Dates: 1942 - 1945
Conditions Governing Access: The collection is open for consultation by researchers using Churchill Archives Centre, Churchill College, Cambridge.
 Fonds

The Memoirs of Vice-Admiral Sir William Robson

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

"My naval life", with photocopies of photographs of Robson's family and the ships he served on

Dates: 1990-08
Conditions Governing Access: The collection is open for consultation by researchers using Churchill Archives Centre, Churchill College, Cambridge.