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.

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

Chemical Warfare Archive
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 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 the following reports: - A2. Report on the Physiology War Committee by Sir Walter Morley Fletcher - A3. Report on the Anti-Gas Contracts Department by Mr F.W. Osborne - B2. Report on the Evolution of the Small Box Respirators by Captain C.T. Gimingham - B3. Report on Respirator Design by Major B. Lambert - B5. Report on Granule Research by Captain L.A. Levy - B6. Report on the Production of Charcoal and Granules in the U.S.A. by Major H.W. Dudley - B7. Report on Protection Against Particulate Clouds by Lieut. Colonel H.S. Raper - B8. Report on the Separation of Charcoal and Granules in B.R. Containers by Captain L.M. Nash - B9. An account of the Routine Phosgene Test on B.R. Containers by Captain L.M. Nash - B10. An account of the Routine Chloropicrin Test on B.R. Containers by Captain L.M. Nash - B11. An account of the Routine HCN Test on B.R. Containers by Captain L.M. Nash - B12. Report on Arsine Tests on Granules and Boxes by Captain L.M. Nash - B13. An account of Routine and Experimental Phosgene Tests on Granules by Captain L.M. Nash

Papers on anti-gas factories and manufacture
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 folder containing the following German reports relating to chemical warfare: - Lists of reports produced by the German military - M.1.10/B/2725: Abridged translation of Appendix to "Allgemeinen Heersmitteilungen 1941 No 238" and H.M. Allegemeine Heersmitteilungen (General Army Communications) from 7.10.39 to 7.9.40 - 919/1G/62: German report ‘Gasmasken, Sondergasmasken und Maskenbrillen fur Soldaten, Beamte und Gefolgschaftsmitglieder des Heers’ - 919/1G/65: Translation entitled ‘Order for immediate measures at gas danger’ - R.S.919/1G/64: German report entitled ‘Auszug aus den Allgemeinen Heeresmitteilungen von 12 Dezember 1942’ - R.S.919/1G/63: Note referring to document 919/2G/31 - R.S.919/1G/62: translation of Gas-Masks and Respirator Spectacles for Soldier, Officials and Personnel of the Army (H.M.1939 No 343) and Marking of Respirators with original reports in German - R.S.919/1G/61: Extract from German report H.M. 1939 No 343 relating to personnel who cannot wear gasmasks - R.S.919/1G/60: Translation of German note relating to returning gas to an A-G Field Laboratory with an attached note - R.S.919/1G/59: Report entitled ‘Evidence for German C.W. Preparations’ - R.S.919/1G/59a: Report entitled ‘More Evidence for German C.W. Preparations’ - R.S.919/1G/59b: Report entitled ‘Special Tactical Studies No 11a – German Smoke Troops’ - R.S.919/1G/58: Translation of H.M. 1940 No 93 ‘Equipping the field army with illuminating and signal ammunition and hand smoke generators’ with a copy of the original in German - R.S.919/1G/57: Translation of the appendix to H.M. 1939 No 778 ‘Equipping of units of the Field Army on the Western Front with anti-gas sheets and gas detection equipment’ with a copy of the original in German - R.S.919/1G/56: Translation of H.V.B1. 1941 Part B No 229 ‘Introduction of the ear sealing-plug for men with perforated ear-drums’ with a copy of the original in German - R.S.919/1G/55: Translation of an extract from H.V.B1 1942 Part C No 194 alteration to A.N. (Establishment) (Army) with a copy of the original in German - R.S.919/1G/54: Translation of H.V.B1 1941 No 388 Part B entitled ‘Return of packing cases and containers for anti-gas equipment, anti-gas material and anti-gas training material’ with a copy of the original in German - R.S.919/1G/53: Note H.V.B1 1941 No 128 ‘Zubehor zur Gasschutzhaube’ (Accessories for the anti-gas hood) with a translation - R.S.919/1G/52: Translation of H.V.B1 1941 No 12 Part C ‘Strengthening slide for the shoulder band and frog strap on the carrier for Gm.30’ with a copy of the original in German - R.S.919/1G/51: Translation of H.M. 1942 No. 339 ‘Anti-Gas material for instructional and training purposes and training material for the anti-gas training and training with smoke for units of the Reserve Army’ with a copy of the original in German - R.S.919/1G/50: Translation of H.M. 1939 No. 775 ‘Anti-Gas equipment for instructional use and training purposes for units of the Reserve Army’ with a copy of the original in German - R.S.919/1G/49: Translation of H.M. 1939 No. 792 ‘Carriage of Smoke Generators’ with a copy of the original in German - R.S.919/1G/48: Translation of H.M. 1939 No. 778 ‘Equipment of the field army with anti-gas sheets and anti-gas equipment’ with a copy of the original in German - R.S.919/1G/47: Translation of H.M. 1942 No. 365 ‘Exchange of respirator containers for the Army in the West’ with a copy of the original in German - R.S.919/1G/46: H.M. 1941 No. 238 ‘Mertblatt ubder die auf dem Gasfchutzgebiet und fur Nebelmittel allgemein: A. fur feldheer und Erfatzheer B. nur fur Erfatzheer gultigen Norschriften, Erlaffe und Nerfugungen des O.K.H die langere Zeit Gultigteit behalten’ - R.S.919/1G/45: Translation of H.M. 1942 No. 226 ‘Correction to the memorandum “Principles for the carriage of heavy projector”’ with a copy of the original in German - R.S.919/1G/44: Translation of H.M. 1942 No. 272‘Servicing Instructions for the rocket bomb fuze Wgr Z. 50 of the 28 cm H.E. rocket bomb and 32 cm incendiary rocket bomb’ with a copy of the original in German - R.S.919/1G/43: Translation of H.M. 1942 No. 266 ‘2 cm incendiary-high explosive tracer ammunition (A-A) with a copy of the original in German and a note - R.S.919/1G/42: Translation of H.M. 1942 No 274 ‘Issue of respirators 30 and 38’ with a copy of the original in German - R.S.919/1G/41: Translation of H.M. 1942 No 366 ‘Respirators for attached personnel (of the Army)’ with a copy of the original in German - R.S.919/1G/40; Translation of H.M. 1942 No 273 ‘Sealing-plug for the container 41, container 41 non-magnetic, container 37 R (Tropen) and container 37 R (Tropen) non-magnetic’ with a copy of the original in German - R.S.919/1G/39: Note stating an appendix to an A.H.M of 1942 announces the issue of H.Dv.395/14 - R.S.919/1G/38: Translation of an extract from H.M. 1941 No 193 ‘Amendments to pamphlets’ with a copy of the original in German - R.S.919/1G/37: Translation of an extract from H.M. 1939 No 726 ‘The Introduction of the “Horse-respirator 39”’ with a copy of the original in German - R.S.919/1G/36: Translation of an extract from H.M. 1939 No. 725 ‘Smoke Candles – Smoke Candles S’ with a copy of the original in German - R.S.919/1G/35: Translation of an extract from H.M. 1939 No 693 ‘Carbon Monoxide identification set’ with a copy of the original in German - R.S.919/1G/34: Translation of an extract from H.M. 1939 No 692 ‘Results of the Inspections by the Anti-Gas Equipment Inspector (G.G.I.) of units of the Reserve Army’ with a copy of the original in German - R.S.919/1G/33: Translations of extracts from Allgemeine Heersmitteilungen (General Army Communications) issued between 7th September 1939 and 21st October 1939. - R.S.919/1G/32: Table of amendments to German Army manuals and new manuals announced in Allgemeine Heersmitteilungen (General Army Communications) 1939 – 1941 - R.S.919/1G/31: German manual entitled ‘Mertblatt uber die auf dem Gasschutzgebiet fur die Kommandobehorden hoheren Stabe Truppe und Gerwaltungsdienstsellen gultigen Vorfschriften Erlaffe und Derfugungen des O.K.H. die fortdauernde Beftimmungen enhlten’ - R.S.919/1G/30: Translation of a leaflet ‘Leaflet on the Carriage of Anti-Gas equipment, Smoke Candles and Smoke Hand Grenades’ with a copy of the original in German - R.S.919/1G/29: Translations of extracts from Allgemeine Heersmitteilungen (General Army Communications) issued between 21st May 1941 and 20th December 1941. - R.S.919/1G/28: Translation of an extract from H.M. 1941 No. 1235 ‘Introduction of the “Set of Marking Flags for Decontamination Troops”’ with a copy of the original in German - R.S.919/1G/27: Translation of an extract from H.M. 1941 No. 1233 ‘Mock contaminant for Detection Training’ with a copy of the original in German - R.S.919/1G/26: Translation of an extract from H.M. 1941 No. 1232 ‘Set of Weapon Decontaminant’ with a copy of the original in German - R.S.919/1G/25: Translation of an extract from H.M. 1941 No. 1085 ‘Anti-Gas training material for the Reserve Army’ with a copy of the original in German - R.S.919/1G/24: Translation of an extract from H.M. 1941 No 1084 ‘Decontamination Plough 41’ with a copy of the original in German and a note entitled ‘Use of Bulldozer for clearing contaminated ground’ - R.S.919/1G/23: Translation of an extract from H.M. 1941 No 1083 ‘Retention of the respirator by the man on leaving the unit or on discharge from hospital’ with a copy of the original in German - R.S.919/1G/22: Translation of H.M. 1940 No 1048 ‘General Exchange of Service Respirator-containers for the Field Army’ with a copy of the original in German - R.S.919/1G/21: Translation of an extract from H.M. 1941 No 183 ‘Introduction of a new propellant charge for the 10 cm smoke mortar’ with a copy of the original in German - R.S.919/1G/20: Translation of an extract from H.M. 1940 No 1232 ‘Equipping the attached personnel of the Army with respirators’ with a copy of the original in German - R.S.919/1G/19: Translation of H.M. 1940 No 1231 ‘Meteorological Equipment for Smoke Troops’ with a copy of the original in German - R.S.919/1G/18: Translation of H.M. 1941 No 346 ‘Gun sight for smoke mortar’ with a copy of the original in German - R.S.919/1G/17: Summary of H.M. 1941 No 296 and H.M. 1941 No 329 - R.S.919/1G/16: Translation of H.M. 1940 No 316 ‘Set of A/G stores 30’ - R.S.919/1G/15: Translation of an extract from H.M. 1939 No 698 ‘Respirators for reserve forces’ with a copy of the original in German - R.S.919/1G/14: Extract from Allgemeine Heeresmitteilungen vom 8.7.40. Nr 791 ‘Einfuhrung der Zundladung N 4’ - R.S.919/1G/13: Translation of paragraph C of supplement to Allgemeine Heeresmitteilungen, 1941 No 460 captured in Libya and passed to G(CW) 20th July 1941 with a copy of H.M. 1941 No 460 in German, notes on captured German documents, a copy of a cable received from C-in-C Middle East and a translation of extracts from General Orders of the German Army Relating to Chemical Warfare ‘Instructions for the Inspector-General of Smoke Troops’ - R.S.919/1G/12: Translations of extracts from H.M. Allegemeine Heeresmitteilungen (General Army Communications) issued between 7th September 1940 and 21st September 1940 - R.S.919/1G/11: Translations of extracts from H.M. Allegemeine Heeresmitteilungen (General Army Communications) issued between 8th January 1940 and 7th January 1941 - R.S.919/1G/10: Translations of extracts from H.M. Allegemeine Heeresmitteilungen (General Army Communications) issued between 21st March 1941 and 7th May 1941 - R.S.919/1G/9: Translations of extracts from H.M. Allegemeine Heeresmitteilungen (General Army Communications) issued between 7th October 1939 and 7th September 1940 - R.S.919/1G/8: Translations of extracts from H.M. Allegemeine Heeresmitteilungen (General Army Communications) issued during 1940 - R.S.919/1G/7: Translations of extracts dealing with chemical warfare from Allegemeine Heeresmitteilungen 1940 and 1941 with a note - R.S.919/1G/6: Extract from Allgemeine Heeresmitteilungen No 7 of 21st March 1941 ‘264 Dienstaweisung fur den Inspecteur der Nebeltruppen’ and Beilage zu den H.M. 1941 Nr 460 ‘Nur fur Dienstgebrauch. Merkblatt Gassperen mit Spurpulver und Gasanzeiger’ - R.S.919/1G/5: Translation of ‘Supplement to Army Orders 1941 (S.330) No. 638 Set of Light Anti-Gas Clothing 39’ with attached note - R.S.919/1G/4: Abschrift aus Allgemeine Heeresmitteilungen Blatt 7 Ziffer 381 ‘Trageweise der Gasplantragtasche’ - R.S.919/1G/3: Translation of H.M. 1942 No 365 ‘Exchange of Respirator-Containers for the Army in the West’ - R.S.919/1G/2: Translation of H.M. 1942 No. 322 ‘Exchange of containers for the Army on the East and South-East Fronts’ - R.S.919/1G/1: Translation of H.M. 1942 No. 199 ‘Introduction of the 10 cm Smoke Mortar 40’

Folder of German reports relating to chemical warfare entitled 'Allgemeine Heeresmitteilungen (H.M.s) Heeres Verordnunsblatter (H.V.B1)'
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'

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