This collection mainly consists of private papers and correspondence, 1885-1954, and family papers, 1783-1963. The material, especially the ministerial and ambassadorial papers, collected together by David Geddes provides an insight into the 1910s and 1920s. The collection also includes Geddes' writings on medical, spiritual and military matters.

Minute from WSC [First Lord of the Admiralty] to the 2nd Sea Lord [Prince Louis of Battenberg, later 1st Lord Milford Haven], and the Secretary of the Admiralty [Sir (William) Graham Greene], on provision of medical facilities in Harwich [Essex]. [Carbon].

Letter from Gertrude Bidwell (Abergavenny [Monmouthshire, Wales]) to WSC [First Lord of the Admiralty], complaining about the treatment of retired naval Medical Officers who were recalled in August 1914, particularly her husband. Includes notes between Edward Marsh [Private Secretary to WSC] and Surgeon-Vice-Admiral Sir Arthur May [Director-General, Royal Navy Medical Department] on cases of retired Fleet Surgeons.

Minute by WSC [First Lord of the Admiralty] on hospital accommodation at the Harwich Naval Base [Essex], proposing to extend the hospital accommodation at the Boy's Training Establishment, HMS Ganges, at Shotley [Suffolk], across the Stour Estuary. [Carbon copy].

Minute from Surgeon-Vice-Admiral Sir Arthur May, Director-General, Medical Department, Admiralty, to WSC, First Lord of the Admiralty, on the recruitment and appointment of naval medical officers on short service commissions. [Carbon].

Minute from WSC [First Lord of the Admiralty] to the Director-General, Medical Department, Admiralty [Surgeon-Vice-Admiral Sir Arthur May], proposing the division of the Royal Naval Medical Service into two divisions, Permanent and Temporary, with temporary Medical Officers recruited on short service commissions. [Carbon].

Minute by WSC [First Lord of the Admiralty] on the transportation of casualties [in the Royal Naval Brigade]. [Typescript copy].

Letter from James Caird (Roseangle, Dundee, [Angus, Scotland]) to WSC expressing satisfaction that WSC has enough funds for carrying on the work for Free Trade. Asks WSC to allow the licensing of a centre for cancer research which he intends to build in Dundee. Thinks "East Dorset has to thank Mrs Churchill". Annotated that WSC has asked the Department about licensing the research centre, 8 Jul [1910].

Letter from James Caird (Roseangle, Dundee, [Angus, Scotland]) to WSC agreeing that the report for July 1910 on the National Free Trade Lectures is encouraging. Is glad WSC is enjoying his holiday and states his intention of pursuing his plan for a cancer research centre in Dundee.

Letter from Lord Morley [earlier John Morley] (Privy Council Office) to WSC reporting that he has been asked by Sir Francis Hopwood [later Lord Southborough] to approach Andrew Carnegie "to induce him to forward a certain philanthropic object" [the treatment of disease by radium] and that he [Morley] cannot but it might serve the purpose of "your Dundee man" [James Caird]. Asks to talk with WSC about Home Rule.

Letter from WSC to James Caird suggesting that Caird might like to take up the suggestion of Sir Francis Hopwood [later Lord Southborough] suggestion that funding should be provided by a philanthropist for the treatment of disease by radium. Typescript copy.

Letter from Sir Ernest Hatch (North London or University College Hospital, Gower Street, London) to WSC on the meetings of the general committee of the hospital, of which WSC has been invited to become a co-opted member. Signed typescript. Annotated by WSC with instruction to Edward Marsh to write a letter of acceptance.

Letter from F.E. Lawson-[ ] to WSC, on reform of the Army Medical Department.

Letter from Frank Howard to WSC, enclosing notes on rules and regulations governing medical and physical examination of candidates for the Army.

Letter from Maria Bell (Bell's Original Register for Servants, Scotia House, Highfield Street, Leicester) to Lady Randolph Churchill expressing sympathy on the illness of Lord Randolph Churchill and recommending a remedy based on turpentine.

Letter from Karl Ponnow (Pohannesgat, Stockholm [Sweden]) to Lord Randolph Churchill expressing sympathy on his illness and recommending a cure using nitric acid for diseases of the chest.

Signed note by Professor Russell Reynolds (30 Welbeck Street, W1 [London]) on the advantages of cineradiographic film over previous x-ray examination techniques which could not record movement.

Offprint from the British Encyclopedia of Medical Practice, Surveys and Abstracts Volume 1940, of article by Professor Russell Reynolds (Physician in Charge, Department of Radiology and Electrotherapy, Charing Cross Hospital, London and Honorary Adviser in Radiology to the Minister of Pensions) of article on "Radiography and Radiotherapy". Author's signed presentation copy with ms dedication to WSC.

Letter from Mr C Gentry (111 Southcroft Road, Tooting, SW17 [London]) to [David Robertson, Conservative MP for Streatham, London] regarding the poor health of his son, Private [Fred] Gentry, who is serving overseas and who has been in hospital with chest trouble and is now in a convalescent camp, and asking if arrangements can be made to transfer him over here.

Letter from Mrs Gentry (111 Southcroft Road, Tooting, SW17 [London]) to [David Robertson, Conservative MP for Streatham, London] regarding her two sons, Fred and Charles Gentry, who are both serving overseas. She comments on Fred's poor health and the fact that Charles has been gone nearly 4 years without leave, and asks for help, particularly in getting leave for Fred.