Memoirs of the Preparation of the Home Office War Book by Ronald Wells

Ronald Wells was in charge of the War Book for the Home Office from 1935. It was created in readiness for the potential war, which when it did happen was to be the Second World War. In 1935 he was made a member of the War Book Sub-Committee of the Committee of Imperial Defence. The Government's War Book set out the steps to be taken by each Government Department (the Admiralty, War Office, Air Ministry and the Home Office) in the "Precautionary stage" and the "War stage".

Wells describes his role in the compilation and maintenance of the Home Office War Book. He also relates anecdotes about key figures such as Warren Fisher as well as staff including Sir Joseph Ball and Lawrence Burgis.

Ronald Wells deposited these memoirs at Churchill Archives Centre in July 1970.

Churchill College owns this collection.

The papers are open for consultation by researchers using Churchill Archives Centre, Churchill College, Cambridge. Churchill Archives Centre is open from Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm. A prior appointment and two forms of identification are required.

Researchers wishing to publish excerpts from the papers must obtain prior permission from the copyright holders and should seek advice from Archives Centre staff.

Please cite as Churchill Archives Centre, Memoirs of the Preparation of the Home Office War Book by Ronald Wells, WELL

A copy of this finding aid is available for consultation at Churchill Archives Centre, Cambridge, and the National Register of Archives, London.

This collection (fonds) level description was produced by Louise King of Churchill Archives Centre in September 2003 using information from the memoirs themselves.