Account of Kirke's life and career up to Summer 1939, [1940-1949]
- KIRKE 9/1
- Item
- [1940-1949]
Narrative autobiographical account of Kirke's life and career until summer 1939. Typescript and photocopy, 20pp
Account of Kirke's life and career up to Summer 1939, [1940-1949]
Narrative autobiographical account of Kirke's life and career until summer 1939. Typescript and photocopy, 20pp
Album of photographs taken during Kirke's stay in Finland 1924-1925; including photographs of Helsingfors, Dromsö, Viborg, Sortavala, Hansa Brandenburg sea-plane, Skyddskai training centres, Perkjaris Artillery Camp, Renault tanks. With some press cuttings and postcards. 1 vol
Article on the Territorial Army by Kirke, 1946, for the Encyclopaedia Britannica
Article by Kirke on the Territorial Army 1937-1946 written for the Encyclopaedia Brittanica. With a letter from the editorial director thanking Kirke for the article. Typescript, 3pp
Text of an article entitled 'The offensive spirit' discussing the role that an offensive strategy could play in shortening the war. Intended for publication in the Gunner, the journal of the Royal Regiment of Artillery initialled EGB. Typescript, 7pp
Autobiographical notes, [1940-1949]
Notes on the memorandum on the present and future role of the RAF in Imperial Defence and its relations in co-operation with the Army. Manuscript, 1p
Copy note, 2 Mar 1925, about the date of Squadron Leader Roger Field's arrival in Finland
Copy of note giving details of telegram sent by Air Ministry to Kirke on 2 Mar with date of earliest possible date of Sqn Ldr Roger Martin Field's arrival in Finland. Typescript, 1p
Correspondence between Eileen Bigland and Kirke and Guy William Lambert, War Office relating to Kirke's preparation of a foreword to Bigland's book on the Auxiliary Territorial Service, Britain's Other Army. The story of the A.T.S. (Nicholson & Watson: London, 1946).. Typescript, 5pp
Draft notes for Kirke's lecture series, 'Imperial defence as affected by the war', Feb 1922
Speakers notes for lecture series on 'Imperial defence as affected by the war'. Typescript, 12pp
Draft text for part 1 of Kirke's lecture series, 'Imperial defence as affected by the war, Feb 1922
Part 1 of lecture series on 'Imperial defence as affected by the war', draft version. Typescript, 18pp
Draft text for part 2 of Kirke's lecture series, 'Imperial defence as affected by the war', Feb 1922
Part 2 of lecture series on 'Imperial defence as affected by the war' entitled 'Present military responsibilities', draft version. Typescript, 22pp
Draft text for part 3 of Kirke's lecture series, 'Imperial defence as affected by the war', Feb 1922
Part 3 of lecture series on 'Imperial defence as affected by the war' entitled 'Summary of our responsibilities in the Middle East', draft version. Typescript, 17pp
Draft text of a message of support for Finland, by Kirke, [Jun 1940], not broadcast
Message of sympathy and support by Kirke for Finland during the invasion by USSR, not delivered Manuscript, 2pp
Exam question papers and answers, 1921-1923, for admission to Staff College Camberley
Examination question papers and answers with notes for admission to Staff College, Camberley. With pamphlet, 'Notes on Staff College entrance examination, 1921' Printed, typescript and manuscript, 7 papers with answers, 1 pamphlet
General Staff memo, 1921, on the future role of the RAF in the defence of the British Empire
Memorandum prepared by the General Staff on the present and future role of the RAF in Imperial Defence and its relations in co-operation with the Army. Sections are general principles, characteristics of aircraft, points raised in air staff memorandum Committee of Imperial Defence paper 135 C of Mar 1921, defence against invasion from the sea, maintenance of order, defence in the air, disadvantages of the present system of air control, proposals for future organisation of the air force and the division of responsibility between the War Office and the Air Ministry, comparison of American and French systems with that of the British. With amendments, marginal notes and one page of manuscript notes. Typescript, 31pp
General Staff memo, Sep 1921, on disarmament
General Staff memorandum on disarmament relating to the British armed forces. With covering letter from Maj Gen Percy (Pollexfen de Blaquière) Radcliffe, Director of Military Operations, War Office to Lt Col Sir Maurice Pascal Alers Hankey, Secretary; Committee of Imperial Defence. Typescript. 4 pp
KIRKE, Gen Sir Walter Mervyn St. George (1877-1949)
This collection consists of papers relating to Gen Sir Walter Mervyn St. George Kirke's military career after World War One as Deputy Director of Military Operations, as Colonel on the Staff, General Staff Aldershot, Director-General of the Territorial Army and as Commander-in-Chief of Home Forces and his work during and after World War Two as a public speaker and broadcaster. The collection includes papers relating to the debate over the role of the recently created RAF (1921), officer training at Aldershot (1922-1924), Kirke's leadership of the British Military Mission to Finland (1924-1925) and the work of the committee set up to study the lessons of World War One (1932). The majority the papers in the collection relating to Kirke's service as Director General of the Territorial Army are texts of Kirke's speeches, which are mostly concerned with promoting recruitment (1936-1939). There are also texts of Kirke's morale boosting radio broadcasts during World War Two on the progress of the war and also his speeches at public events particularly those connected with the National Savings Movement. The collection also includes personal correspondence, press cuttings, photographs and autobiographical notes made by Kirke.
Kirke, Sir Walter Mervyn St George, 1877-1949, Knight, General
Leaflet, 'the British soldier as I have known him', by Field Marshal Sir Henry Hughes Wilson, [1922]
The British soldier as I have known him' by FM Sir Henry Hughes Wilson. Leaflet, reprinted from The Democrat.
Letter from A H Saastamoinen relating to Kirke's proposals for military reorganisation in Finland and to the military and political situation in Finland particularly the Skyddskai organisation and the President of Finland, K J Ståhlberg. Manuscript, 6pp.
Letter from A Marcuslouet relating to the political situation in Finland and relations with Sweden and USSR Manuscript, 1p