The collection consists primarily of master copies and research papers for Dean's book on the RAF, The Royal Air Force and two World Wars, foreword by Sir Arthur Travers Harris (London, Cassell, 1979). The research papers contain Dean's correspondence on aspects of RAF history with leading RAF personnel of the period before and during World War Two, in particular with ACM Sir Arthur Travers Harris with comments by him on the text of Dean's book, particularly on sections relating to Bomber Command. There is also a correspondence between Harris and MRAF Sir Charles Frederick Algernon Portal over the issue of bombing targets. Also included are extensive research notes from Public Record Office files and from secondary sources. The collection includes a paper written by Dean on dynamics and optics, 1928; papers relating to the development of airships and the crash of the R101 airship dating from Dean's initial period at the Air Ministry, 1929-1943; texts of lectures and seminars relating to the Civil Service given by Dean at the University of Strathclyde and other colleges and entries and related papers compiled by Dean for the Dictionary of National Biography (Oxford University Press, Oxford).

Copies of papers relating to his life and career and other family members, 1911, 1915, 1932, comprising: letter from Lt Col Sir George Roos-Keppel, Chief Commissioner and Agent to the Governor General, North West Frontier Province, to the Secretary to the Government of India, Foreign Department, reporting the capture of a party of raiders at Tarnab and commending various army and police officers, including Michael Donlea, Inspector of Police, North West Frontier (brother of Patrick), for their services in the incident, 2 March 1911; photograph [of raiders referred to in the above letter, 1911]; press cuttings describing charge of 21Lancers at Shabkadr, Aug 1915; brief typescript account of opium production and the organisation of Opium Department, United Provinces of Agra and Oudh, 1932; copy of letter to Mrs Lucy Sophia Le Marchand (aunt by marriage of Patrick's wife) from Maj Cecil Allanson, 1/6 Gurkha Rifles describing the death of her son, Lt John Wharton Jones Le Marchand, Gallipoli, 1915.

General and policy files, 1875-1977, of the Headmaster of the Strand School, comprising correspondence and papers on the Civil Service Department, King's College London, including a formal agreement between King's College London and William Braginton for him to conduct classes at the College for the second class clerkship in the Civil Service, 1875, Headmaster's reports, 1898-1911, staff appointments, details on pupils, examinations, syllabus and other subjects, and removal of the girls' classes to Red Lion Square, Holborn, 1909 (Ref: KSS/GPF1); records on buildings and property, including laboratories and sports facilities, 1900-1908 (Ref: KSS/GPF2); records on staff appointments and related matters, 1892-1910, 1956-1957, 1965-1969 (Ref: KSS/GPF3); general files, including the move of the Strand School and resignation of William Braginton, 1906-1911, proposed reorganisation or closure of the school, 1956-1977, and school trips, 1960-1964 (Ref: KSS/GPF4); drafting of lesson and exam timetables and selection of subjects by pupils, 1956-1969 (Ref: KSS/GPF5); records relating to annual prize-givings, 1956-1968 (Ref: KSS/GPF6); records relating to London County Council, including recognition of and grants to the school, 1897-1913, records relating to conference of Headmasters and mistresses of LCC maintained schools, 1942-1946, and records of the LCC School Care Committee on individual pupils, 1969-1970 (Ref: KSS/GPF7); records on recognition of school, inspections by the Ministry of Education, and other matters, 1899-1913, 1956, and statistics on pupils and staff, 1957-1970 (Ref: KSS/GPF8); records relating to other outside bodies, the subjects including examinations, 1902, 1908 and undated (Ref: KSS/GPF9).