War Office

Created and initially known as the War Department from 8 February 1855, this British government department became known as the War Office from 1857, absorbing the various other bodies formerly responsible for Army affairs. On 1 April 1964, it was absorbed into the unified Ministry of Defence.

Related Documents

Collection of research papers, reports, photographs, correspondence and drawings pertaining to chemical warfare during the first and second world wars.

Chemical Warfare Archive
A folder containing the following German reports relating to Chemical Warfare: - R.S.919/1H/4a-k: A folder entitled ‘Originals of Captured German Chemical Warfare Mitteilungen Bulletins’ - Notes on an Interview with P/W M. (AM)15 - Joint notes by M.I.10.b and C.D.R.5 on a further interview on 26th July 1943 with P.W./M (AM) 15 - Copy of a memo entitled ‘Suggestions for Further Questions’ - Folder of translations of German documents with a note giving a summary - Envelope entitled ‘3 copies of O.K.H. Heeresgasschuty Laboratorium Spandau Citadel’ containing drawings of the facility - R.S.919/1H/35: Der Oberbefehlshaber des Heeres Gen.St.d./Ausb.Abt.(II) Nr 1720/41 ‘Besonderheiten des Marsches und Kampfes im Winter’ - R.S.919/1H/34: Schw. Flakabteilung 371 Abt. Ic/Kampfstoffabwehr. Flakgruppe Leverk (W.U.G. az.41) vom 7.9.1942 offen. Heranschaffung ses Selbstachutagerates des einzelnen Mannes im Falle Uberraschender Erstanwendung chemischer Kamfstoffe - R.S.919/1H/33: Auswertung englischer Vorschriftes und Beutepopiere betreffend chemische Kreig - R.S.919/1H/32: List of German documents and their file reference - R.S.919/1H/31: Extract from folder on ”Spohn und Knoll” dated 1944, received from G.E.D. Foreign Office under reference F.D. 5083/45 of 26.11.45 - R.S.919/1H/30: Copy of a note relating to a German book entitled “Wer Liefert Was” (Who supplies what) - R.S.919/1H/29: Note forwarding a German report - R.S.919/1H/28: German report ‘Gasschutzgerate-Ausrustungssoll der Kreigsmarine’ with a note giving an criticism of it - R.S.919/1H/27: Folder entitled ‘Die Herstellung von Methyl-und Athylarsindichloria’ containing handwritten notes and a typed translation entitled ‘Methyl-arsine-dichloride – Methods of Preparation’ - R.S.919/1H/26: Report No 14 of CWS-EEIST No 4 – Extracts from a Captured German Document - R.S.919/1H/25: French Report entitled ‘Germany – Economic Industries: Liste D’Usines et de Fabriques Allemandes Sous Controle Militaire’ with attached notes - R.S.919/1H/24: French Report entitled ‘Germany: Chemical Warfare – Cours Sur L’Emploi Des Gaz De Combat’ with a note providing criticism - R.S.919/1H/24a: Report entitled ‘Germany/Military: Weapons & Equipment (Chemical Warfare) – Experiments with Poison Gas’ with attached note providing criticism - R.S.919/1H/23: Report No 32 of CWS-EEIST No 1 – Interrogation of Prisoners of Ware for CW Information - R.S.919/1H/22: Translation of a paper ‘Yellow Cross – (Mustard) Contamination in Horses’ with attached notes - R.S.919/1H/21: Translation of report produced by 183rd Peoples’ Grenadier Division Operations/Gas Officer on Gas Defence - R.S.919/1H/20: Notes on an interrogation on 5.12.44 of P.W. with attached note - R.S.919/1H/19: Report entitled ‘Germany: 1. German Appreciation of Allied C.W. Preparedness and Intentions 2. Set of Personal Decontaminant 41 3. Decontamination of Nitrogen Mustard’ - R.S.919/1H/18: Summary of Orders and Decrees on Gas Defence in the area of the General Command LXXXVI & A.K. dated 1.2.44 - R.S.919/1H/17: List - R.S.919/1H/16: Series of handwritten notes - R.S.919/1H/15: Anhalt fur die Ausbildung in der Gasabwehr with attached notes - R.S.919/1H/14: Notes on Liaison Visit to M.I.10 2nd September 1944 - R.S.919/1H/13: Notes on Liaison Visit to M.I.10 on 31st August 1944 - R.S.919/1H/12: Report on a survey of Prisoners of War giving their opinions on the use of gas by the German military - R.S.919/1H/11: Series of documents relating to German chemical warfare preparations prior to and immediately after the Normandy Invasion 1944 - R.S.919/1H/10: Translation of extracts from Care in Winter’ Part 1 Storage and Handling of Ammunition in Winter and Part 2 Handling of Weapons and Apparatus (Stores) in Winter with copies of the originals in German - R.S.919/1H/9: Translation of ‘Methods of Employment and Counter Measures in Slogans. Notes for a lecture by Colonel Dal Lago Chief of the General Instructional Staff No. 3’ with a copy of the original in German - R.S.919/1H/8: Extract from A.D.1.(K) ‘Notes on interrogation of a P.W.’ which give information on a gas course. Also included are notes assessing the information. - R.S.919/1H/7: ‘Extracts from German documents captured in Tunisia: Notes on the Use and Handling of Munitions, weapons and Supplies in the Tropics’ - R.S.919/1H/6: Extract from CDR5/IS Zw39 entitled ‘CW Weapons: 9. Aircraft gas weapons’ with a list entitled ‘Translations of extracts from 4 manuscript documents’ - R.S.919/1H/6a: Translation of an extract from ‘Notes from Gas course held 4-8th November 1941’ - R.S.919/1H/6b: Translation of an extract from ‘A-G instructional course (Air-Force) held 23rd-28th May 1942’ - R.S.919/1H/6c: Translation of ‘Air Force Notes – date unknown’ - R.S.919/1H/6d: Translation of ‘Possibly Notes for Course for Air Force G.U.’ - R.S.919/1H/5: Folder entitled ‘Complete Set of Reports etc concerning the information obtained from P.W. M(AM)15 - R.S.919/1H/4: Folder entitled ‘Translations (abridged in some cases) of German C.W. Intelligence Bulletins dated March to September 1942 captured in M.E.’ - R.S.919/1H/3: Translation of an order from General of the Air Force with the C in C of the Army entitled ‘Employment of Gas’ with a copy of the original in German - R.S.919/1H/2: German medical booklet with attached note - R.S.919/1H/1: Manuscript notes with an attached note stating they were captured in Tunisia

Folder of German reports relating to chemical warfare entitled 'Miscellaneous Captured Documents & Statements'
A folder containing the following reports by the Chemical Warfare Medical Committee: - No. 18: Report on the Medical Aspect of the Production of Mustard Gas, January 1919 - No. 17: Report on Cases of Poisoning by "Mustard Gas" (Dichlorethyl Sulphide), with Special Reference to Histological Changes and to Alterations in the Leucocyte Count, December 1918 - No. 11: Investigation of Chronic Cases of Gas Poisoning, October 1918 - No. 1: Notes on the Pathology and Treatment of the Effects of Pulmonary Irritant Gases, January 1918. Also included are other reports: - 'Report on Irritant Properties of Four Samples of Dichlorethylsulphide from Castner Kellner Alkali Co Ltd' by Col. Harrison, Anti-Gas Department, 7th June 1918 - 'Summary as to Opinions of Cause of Death from Burns' There is also a letter from Captain E.L. Collis, Welfare & Health Section relating to the toxicity of chlorinated products of 'H'.

Folder of reports entitled 'Toxicology - action vesicant power'
A collection of notes and handbooks relating to wireless and telegraphy training carried out at HMS Victory VI training establishment based at Crystal Palace, London. The collection also includes notes relating to an apprenticeship in Aero Engineering undertaken by Mr Beattie in 1921, and a copy of the Pilot's Notes for the Anson I aircraft, with a dried maple leaf enclosed, 1948.

Notes and handbooks relating to wireless and telegraphy training
The flight logs document the types of aircraft the pilots flew during their miltary and civilian careers as test pilots. They include details of the flights of various new types of aircraft being developed at AVRO, including Vulcan and prototypes. Amongst the other papers are various publications produced by the Air Ministry and War Office. Photographic prints in the collection show various types of miltary aircraft, including the prototypes being tested. There are a number of photographs taken during the course of the careers of the individual pilots at various locations both during and after the Second World War.

Collection of Test Pilots' Flying Log Books and Other Documents
A folder containing the following notes and memos: - Memorandum on Vaseline Ointment as Protection against H.S., 19th September 1918 - Report on Ointment of Vaseline and Bleaching Powder for Protection against H.S., Anti-Gas Department, 14th August 1918 - Notes on some therapeutical trails in the factories and sheds for storing H.S. of the Chemical War Material (Department), Paris, 22nd June 1918 - Mustard Gas Treatment, - Protective Ointments - On the use of a Chloride of Lime Salve to Protect the Skin against H.S. Vapour

Folder of reports entitled 'Toxicology - preventive and curative'
A folder containing the following reports: - 1. Report on the Manufacturing of Box Respirators by Major J.A. Sadd - 2. Report on Charcoal Manufacture by Captain J. Ricketts - 3. Report on Granule Manufacture by Captain W.M. Crosbie - 4. Technical Report on the Nottingham Anti-Gas Factories by Captain A. Pinsent - 5. Brief History of the Granule Factory at Stamford Hill by Captain W.M. Crosbie - 6. An Account of the Manufacture of Filter Jackets for N.C. Containers at the Borough Road Factory by Lieut. E. Ostick - 7. Report on Work at Stanstread House Anti0Gas Factory by Lieut. Sawyer - 8. Report on the Work at Fairfax Hall Anti-Gas Factory by Lieut. F.O.M. Earp - 9. Report on Work at Holloway Anti-Gas Factory by Lieut. D. Smith - 10. Report on Work at Green Walk Anti-Gas Factory by Miss Carey Morgan - 11. Historical Report of the Mask Factory at Tottenham by Captain J. Newton Friend - 12. Report on the Anti-Gas Work carried out by Messrs. John Bell, Hills & Lucas Ltd., Oxford Works, Tower Bridge Road, by Lieut. E. Ostick - 13. Report on the Manufacture of Splinterless Gas carried out at the Anti-Gas Factory, Crowndale Works, Camden Town, by Lieut. H.D. Muggeridge and Sergt. A.C. Bowden - 14. Report on the History and Work of the Anti-Gas Inspection Depots during the period February, 1917, to November, 1918, by Captain J.B. Reynish - 15. Historical Record of Technical Inspection of Anti-Gas Component Parts for Small Box Respirator by Captain G.N.F. Reddan - 16. Suggestion for an ideal scheme for Inspection of Respirator Parts by Captain J.B. Reynish - 17. Report on the Work of the Recovery Department at Spurs Ground, Tottenham, by Captain J. Newton Friend - 18. Report on Work of Women in the Anti-Gas Department by Miss Carey Morgan

Research papers and histories
Scale 3/4" : 1'. Each bears name of H.W. Couldery, I.I.S. Branch, War Office. Couldery became chief draughtsman at the War Office.

Plans relating to Cody army aeroplane
A folder containing Porton report No. 109 Serial No.3 'Interim Report on Protective Clothing Against H.S.', Chemical Department, Experimental Station, Porton, 12th January 1924.

Folder of reports entitled 'Toxicology - protection clothing & materials'
A folder containing the following reports and notes: - Treatment of Warfare Gas, Physiological Department, Experimental Station, Porton, 24th September 1924 - Survey of Literature on Mustard Gas poisoning extracts from appendix A, with attached correspondence - Mustard Gas Poisoning: Treatment - Proposal for the Further Study of Mustard Gas from the Point of View of the Medical Services - Protection against H.S., 19/08/22 - Protection of Factory Workers against Poison Gas

Folder of reports entitled 'Toxixology - preventative and curative'
A folder containing the following reports and notes: - The Decontamination of Service Clothing and Equipment from Mustard Gas, Chemical Warfare Committee, Imperial House, Tothill Street, 15th January 1923 - Report on Experiments on the "Bleach" Treatment of H.S. Infected Soils, H.S. No. 16, Major F.G.C. Walker, 30th September 1918 - Copy of letter sent to Colonel Hall from J.C. Irvine, Gas Poison: Destruction of H., 15th July 1918 - Report on the Action of Hypochlorous acid on 'H', Henry Stephen, 22nd July 1918 - Report from Professor Lapworth, received through Mr Patterson 16/7/18, Gas Poison H.S. Method of Destruction - Letter to Colonel Bacon with a list of observations and suggestions relating to the destruction and cleaning of 'H', 19th July 1918 - Report by Captain Lefebure dated 18.6.18, Gas Poison H.S. Destruction Alternatives to bleach with attached note on Levinsteins Factory - Disinfection of Ground infected by H.S., Captain Lefebure, Paris, 8th June 1918 - H.S. Destruction & Protection with attached Report by Professor Degrez on the destruction of H.S. accidently spilt in the factory - Method of Destruction of H., J.C. Irvin - On the Clearing of Objects Contaminated with H, translation of French report by Professor Desgrez

Folder of reports entitled 'Toxicology - removal, destruction and decontamination'

See more related documents