Guide to the Papers of Sir Richard Williams

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MS 6525

National Library of Australia View Catalogue Record

Created: November 2020

Collection Summary

Creator
Williams, Richard, Sir
Title
Papers of Sir Richard Williams
Date Range
1913-1971
Collection Number
MS 6525
Extent
1.65 metres (7 MS boxes + 1 Large Folio Box)
Language of Materials
English
Repository
Special Collections (Manuscripts)

Introduction

Scope and Contents

The papers are a record of the early years of the RAAF and the role played by Sir Richard Williams. There are reports (Ellington and Salmon Reports of 1939 and 1928), correspondence with Air Force personnel and H.V.E. Evatt, then the High Court Judge. The papers include press clippings regarding World War II and defence issues and Sir Richard's career in the Air Force. There are also records concerning Sir Richard's O.B.E. award, his speeches, personal correspondence and printed material concerning aeronautics.

Conditions Governing Access

Access conditions may apply to this collection, please refer to the collection's catalogue record for further information (http://nla.gov.au/nla.cat-vn2167354).

Conditions Governing Use

Copying and publishing of unpublished manuscript material is subject to copyright restrictions. For such material, written permission to publish must be obtained from the copyright holder(s). Copying of unpublished material for research purposes is permissible 50 years after the death of the creator of the material.

Preferred Citation

Items from this collection should be cited as '[Title or description of manuscript item], Papers of Sir Richard Williams, National Library of Australia, MS 6525, [class/series/file/item number(s)]'.

Item Descriptions

Series. Reports

Salmond Report, 1927-1929 (File 1) - Box 1

Comprises records relating to Appreciation of Australia's Defence position; Australia's vulnerability in the event of war in the Pacific concurrently with a European conflict; Notes on the future of Royal Australian Navy; Japanese Naval Air Service 1927-Precis of report from the British Naval Attaché Tokyo; Air force requirements; Notes on report by Air Marshal Sir John Salmond.

Salmond Report, 1928 (File 2) - Box 1

Statement on report on the Royal Australian Air Force by Air Marshal Sir John Salmond - typed draft plus published final copy Part 1; Notes on the development of the Royal Australian Air Force.

Ellington Report, 1937-1939 (File 3) - Box 1

Prime Minister Joseph Lyon's letter to Sir Edward Ellington; Ellington's Itinerary/programme of official duties; correspondence relating to Ellington's visit including letter from Ellington to Williams; ; Ellington's report with minister's remarks and press clippings; Reports on hours flown and fatal accidents; Extracts from Minutes to secretary, Department of Defence for Chief of Air Staff; Department of defence minute papers.

Reports, 1941 (File 18) - Box 2

Royal Australian Air Force Empire Training Scheme with schedules showing scales of intakes and outputs of trainees, and their progression through schools(Revision 20.6.1941); Final Report of the Committee on the Administration and Command of the Royal Flying Corps, presented to both Houses of Parliament, London 1919; Statutory Rules 1920 No:222 Regulations under the Defence Act 1903-1918 and the Naval Defence Act 1910-1918; Duties documents; Proposed Distribution of Aircraft; Extract from Commonwealth of Australia Gazette 12 November 1920; Instructions for the Preparation of Indents for the Australian Air Force; Approximate Cost of Squadrons for Australia.

Parliamentary Acts and Reports relating to Aviation, 1918-1920 (File 44) - Box 6

Includes Reports of Civil Aerial Transport Committee presented to the British Parliament (1918); Air Ministry Advisory Committee on Civil Aviation- Report on Imperial Air Routes presented to the British Parliament (1919); Air Ministry Synopsis of Progress of Civil Aviation in Foreign Countries presented to the British Parliament (1919); Air Ministry Synopsis of Progress of Work in the Department of Civil Aviation presented to the British Parliament (1919); 4th Supplement to The London Gazette, Tuesday 29th April 1919; Hal Yearly Report on the Progress of Civil Aviation presented to the British Parliament (1920); Report on Government Assistance for the Development of Civil Aviation presented to the British Parliament (1920); Convention for the Regulations of Aerial Navigation, Government of the Commonwealth of Australia (1920).

Parliamentary Acts and Reports relating to Aviation, 1919-1922 (File 46) - Box 6

File comprises Air Ministry Convention for the Regulation of Aerial Navigation presented to the British Parliament (1920); Air Ministry Convention relating to International Air Navigation presented to the British Parliament (1919); Air Navigation Bill ordered by the House of Commons (1920); Air Navigation Regulations 1919; Commonwealth of Australia Statutory Rules Air Force Regulations 1922; Commonwealth of Australia Statutory Rules Air Navigation Regulations 1921; Chapter 80 British Empire Air Navigation Act 1920: A Bill for an Act relating to Air Navigation No:66 (1920).

Parliamentary Acts and Reports relating to Aviation, 1919-1921 (File 47) - Box 6

File comprises Lecture delivered to the House of Commons on 28 June 1920 by Air Commander E.M. Maitland on Modern Airships; Half Yearly Report on the Progress of Civil Aviation presented to the British Parliament (1920); Air Ministry Communique No:643 Report of Imports and Exports by Air (1920); Oversea Defence; Civil Flying in the Vicinity of Defended Ports Oversea (1921); Proceedings of Air Conference (1920); Correspondence relating to Standing Advisory Committee on Civil Aviation (1920); Department of Defence minute papers relating to Civil Aviation(1920); Note on Civil Aviation; Progress of Civil Aviation Half Yearly report (1921).

Ellington Report, 1938 (File 4a-b) - Folio-Box 8

Typed Statement B Ellington report-Minister's comments and further Air Board comments. (2 copies)

Ellington Report, 1938 (File 5) - Folio-Box 8

Bound copy (Copy No:22) Report of Marshal of the Royal Air Force Sir Edward Ellington on the Royal Australian Air Force together with Air Board Comments thereon.

Ellington Report, 1938 (File 6a-c) - Folio-Box 8

Typed Statement B Ellington report-Minister's comments and further Air Board comments. (3 copies)

Ellington Report, 1938 (File 7a-d) - Folio-Box 8

Typed Statement B Ellington report-Minister's comments and further Air Board comments. (4 copies)

Ellington Report, 1938 (File 8a-c) - Folio-Box 8

Typed Statement B Ellington report-Minister's comments and further Air Board comments. (3 copies)

Series. Correspondence

Correspondence-outgoing and incoming, 1919-1921 (File 22) - Box 3

Correspondents include Air Marshal Sir Hugh Trenchard, Major Coates, Wing Commander J.A. Chamier, Group Captain A.E. Borton and Lieutenant Colonel J.L. Sleeman from the New Zealand Military Forces.

Correspondence and records, 1920-1937 (File 23) - Box 3

Correspondence, notes and printed report(part) relating to Estimates of for Defence expenditure (1920-1921); Correspondence with Chief of Air Staff and Air Member for Personnel of the Royal Air Force (1935-1937).

Correspondence and records, 1926-1938 (File 25) - Box 3

Correspondents include Sir Frederick Geoffrey Shedden, Secretary of the Department of Defence; John Storey, Director of Manufacturing General Motors Holden and W.A. Newman; records relating to the formation of Flying Sections of Aero Clubs in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane; Summary of Proceedings of the General Meeting of the Council of Defence 1929.

Correspondence-outgoing and incoming, 1939 (File 26) - Box 3

Correspondents include Brigadier Geoffrey Street; Mr Mills of the Australian Flying Corps Association; Australian Prime Minister Robert Menzies; James Fairbairn, Minister for Air and Civil Aviation; R.A.A.F Group Captain Frank McNamara; Chief Justice F. B. Phillips; Air Vice-Marshal C. F. A. Portal; Australian anthropologist Donald Thomson; Stanley Fowler of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research; Air Marshal Sir Valston Eldridge Hancock.

Correspondence and records, 1943-1944 (File 27) - Box 4

Correspondence and records relating to allocation of aircraft to Australia. Correspondents include the Hon. Dr H.V. Evatt, Minister for External Affairs; L R Macgregor, Director General Australian War Supplies Procurement; the Hon Harry Hopkins, United States Secretary of Commerce; Alfred Stirling, British Cabinet Office.

Series. Aero Clubs

Aero Clubs, 1967 (File 24) - Box 3

Correspondence from Royal Federation of Aero Clubs, Royal Victorian Aero Club, Royal Queensland Aero Club; transcripts of proceedings of meeting between representatives of the Royal Federation of Aero Clubs and Royal Victorian Aero Club 1967; Printed Address of the President of the Royal Federation of Aero Clubs 1967; Royal Federation of Aero Clubs booklet.

Aero Clubs, 1965-1966 (File 41) - Box 5

Report on Financial Assistance to Aero Clubs and Commercial Flying Schools commissioned by the Department of Civil Aviation, Henty House, 5499 Little Collins Street, Melbourne

Series. Published material

Newspaper clippings, 1939 (File 9) - Box 1

Relating to the Ellington Report and Air Vice Marshal W D Bostock.

Printed Matter, 1958-1963 (File 13) - Box 2

"Stand To" Vol 8, No 2 March April 1963; Aircraft magazine, June 1960; "Entrance of Jet Age" - Address to the Rotary Club of Sydney by Sir Hudson Fysh 11 August 1959; " 10th December 1919"- The Inaugural Sir Ross and Sir Keith Smith Memorial lecture delivered by Hudson Fysh 1958.

Australia in Palestine, 1919 (File 15) - Box 2

Publication by Angus & Robertson, edited by HS Gullett and Chas Barrett.

1418 Journal, 1975-1976 (File 16) - Box 2

Published by the Australian Society of World War One Aero Historians. Part of page 27 cut out, pages 35-36 removed.

Series. Miscellaneous

Files relating to a the Australian Flying Corps, R.A.A.F., Civil Aviation and the manufacture of Aircraft in Australia.

Miscellaneous, 1932-1945 (File 10) - Box 1

RAAF Casualties and records relating to the Australian Civil Air Services - Report by Charles Ulm submitted to Prime Minister Lyons and Minister of Defence Sir George Pearce re Australian Civil Air Services.

Miscellaneous, 1934- 1945 (File 11) - Box 1

Including printed material relating to United Nations Conference on International Organization in San Francisco 1945; Constitution of the United Nations 1945; MacRobertson International Air Race conditions 1934; A Collection of Cornish Carols music scores; Typed papers relating to RAF promotion, Air Power in the South West Pacific War Theatre, Air Raid Satirical instructions for civilians issued by the US Navy, Memorandum regarding the movement of RAAF Personnel through the USA.

Miscellaneous, 1942-1958 (File 12) - Box 1

Mostly newspapers cuttings but also includes typed speeches relating to Empire Day, the First Word War and the Australian Flying Corps, telegram relating to the ill health of Williams mother.

Article for "Aircraft" magazine, 1970-1971 (File 14) - Box 2

Typed drafts of William's article for Aircraft magazine's 1971 RAAF 50th anniversary. Also includes correspondence from Aircraft editor W DG Robertson and a copy of Aircraft magazine September 1970.

Development for the R.A.A.F., 1924-1939 (File 17) - Box 2

Includes Programme of Development for the RAAF from 1924 plus RAAF Development Programme (First Revision) from 1939 and some correspondence relating to the distribution of the Programme.

Miscellaneous, 1933-1935 (File 19) - Box 2

Records relating to the Development of Melbourne Airport at Fisherman's Bend 1935; Typed notes on William's Tour of Duty in England 1933/1934 (2 copies); Signals and Papers Relating to Promotions, Appointments and Inter-Postings in E.A.T.S. and R.A.A.F. squadrons.

RAAF 50th Anniversary, 1971 (File 20) - Box 3

RAAF Air Display Pictorial Souvenir booklet April 1971 (2 copies); "Falcons" Royal Air Force Free Fall Parachute Display Team booklet 1971; Correspondence and papers relating to the Foreword for "Military Aircraft of Australia" Volume I and the RAAF Jubilee Year Book to celebrate the 50th anniversary; correspondence relating to William's attendance and itineraries for various functions celebrating the Jubilee.

Miscellaneous, 1933-1936 (File 21) - Box 3

Records relating to the Conference for the Reduction and Limitation of Armaments (aka World Disarmament Conference), held in Geneva from 1932-1934 including Draft Convention submitted by the United Kingdom Delegation to the Conference for the Reduction and Limitation of Armaments; Records relating to Manufacture of Aircraft in Australia including preliminary discussions, letters of introduction, letters to and from Archdale Parkhill Minister of Defence, letters to and from Sir Edward Ellington, letters to and from Wing Commander LJ Wackett and letters to and from LJ Hartnett Managing Director of General Motors Holden.

Coordination Conference, 1922 (File 28) - Box 4

Records relating to the Amalgamation of the Naval, Military and Air Medical Services, the Amalgamation of Naval and Military Colleges, and Intelligence.

Manufacture of Aircraft in Australia, 1936 (File 29) - Box 4

Includes Directions and Instructions to the Commission, Report of the Aviation Commission, Report on Aircraft Industry and Aero Engine Manufacture with its possibilities in Australia by Squadron Leader A.W. Murphy.

Miscellaneous, 1945 (File 30) - Box 4

Records relating to William's attendance at United Nations Veterans Victory Conference in Chicago, including typed speech, correspondence, programme, itinerary; Typed letter to Arthur Samuel Drakeford regarding the general organisation and administration of the R.A.A.F. and following hostilities in Europe and defeat of Japan, the appointment of an Inspector general, and the appointment of an Air Officer Commanding R.A.A.F. overseas; Lecture on Disarmament by Air Commander Babington.

Miscellaneous, 1926-1970 (File 31) - Box 4

Records relating to 50th Anniversary Dinner for Civil Aviation at Parliament House (1970); Imperial Defence College including Programme of Demonstration booklet; Typed Lecture notes on the British Constitution; Typed notes on the Principles of Imperial Defence and their Applications; Typed notes of Imperial Defence College; Typed Extracts from Summary of Proceedings of Imperial Conference 1932; Handwritten notes titled "Suggestions for improving the course at the IDC; Summary of talk between Air Commodore Williams and Plans, Air Ministry(1933);Typed notes "The Nationalist Movement in Japan".

Miscellaneous, 1967-1971 (File 32) - Box 4

Includes British Commonwealth Pacific Airlines Limited Liquidators Final Report and Accounts; Committee of Inquiry Into Financial Terms and Conditions of Service for Male and Female Members of the Regular Armed Forces - Report No:4 The Composition and Expression of Service Pay, Including the Service Disability Allowance (Part1) , presented to the Ministry for Defence (1971).

Address to the Royal Historical Society of Victoria, n.d. (File 33) - Box 4

Typed speech by Richard Williams about the early days of Australian Service Aviation, delivered possibly circa 1960 (3 copies). File also includes handwritten note with list of No:1 Squadron Australian Flying Corps strength, casualties and decorations..

Air Defence, 1920's-1930's (File 34) - Box 4

Includes files relating to History of Aviation in Great Britain, in Foreign Countries and in Australia; The Development of the R.A.A.F; The Necessity of Air Defence: The Possibilities of Air Defence; and Characteristics of Air Forces.

Air Defence, 1920's-1930's (File 35) - Box 5

Includes files relating to Duties of the Air Force in Peace; Co-Operation with Civil Aviation; The Use of Civil Aviation for Defence; Summary.

Air Defence, 1918-1931 (File 36) - Box 5

Includes extracts from newspaper articles and news clippings; Compulsory training file(n.d.); Civil Aviation file (1929); file- Review of Air Stauation and Strateoy for the Information of the Imperial War Cabinet (1918).

Air Defence, 1920's-1930's (File 37) - Box 5

Files include drafts; Committee of Imperial Defence papers (file empty); Defence Committee Appreciation.

Empire Air Training Scheme, 1941-1942 (File 38) - Box 5

Files include Matters for Attention in Australia-Middle East (1941); Matters for Attention in Australia-United Kingdom(1941-1942); Matters for Attention in Australia-Far East (n.d.)

Miscellaneous, ca.1950's (File 39) - Box 5

Empty folder embossed with "De Havilland Comet 4C for T.E.A.L and R.N.Z.A.F"

Miscellaneous, 1928-1931 (File 40) - Box 5

File includes Report on the position of the Air Force in relation to the Navy and Army and the necessity for the continuance of the Air Force as a separate organization; Singapore Naval Base and the Japanese; Contribution of the three Services to the Defence of Australia; Defence of Australia; Future of the Royal Australian Air Force; Article from "Army and Navy Journal" , issue Dec 26, 1931.

Miscellaneous, 1918-1971 (File 42) - Box 6

Files include records relating to Williams' appointment to the role of Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) including correspondence, Record of Service, Royal Australian Air Force Australian Certificate of Service and newspapers cutting (1946-1955); Personal papers comprising: handwritten speech for the Wireless Institute of Australia (1971); correspondence with Air Vice Marshal C.F. Burnett, G.F Pearce, Air Chief Marshal Sir John Salmond, The Hon. Sir T.W. Glasgow, Archdale Parkhill, L.W Heathcote whilst prisoner of the German Flying Corps at Ramleh in Palestine, Air Chief Marshal F.W. Bowhill, H Trenchard, Lieutenant General H.G. Chauvel, Brigadier General N.E. Borton; typed statement from the Australian Flying Corp Association relating to continuance of the Air Force as a separate organization; newspaper clippings and extracts from articles.

Miscellaneous, 1925-1936 (File 48) - Box 6

File comprise records relating to Co-ordination of the Air Force with Civil Flying Operations; Statistics and reports of flying operations of Air Services contractors in Australia, Pilot training, aircrafts, air subsidised mail routes, aeroplane services between Perth and Adelaide, the operation of commercial air services by the R.A.A.F.; Tender template for Aeroplane Service between Perth and Adelaide; Correspondence and notes relating to article published in Sydney Morning Herald 5 Feb 1936 on Air Policy and Defence; Papers and correspondence relating to Aerial Mail Service between Geraldton and Broome.

Manufacture of Aircraft in Australia, 1935-1936 (File 49) - Box 7

Correspondence and records relating to the manufacture of Aircraft and engines in Australia including Blueprint for proposed Aircraft factory, proposed companies and locations of facilities.

Miscellaneous, 1923-1941 (File 50) - Box 7

File includes list of R.A.A.F. and EATS personnel overseas (1941); Itinerary and report on visit to Czech Slovakia and Poland.

Miscellaneous, 1935-1941 (File 51) - Box 7

File includes records relating to roles and numbers of Empire Air Training Scheme (EATS) squadrons and EATS administration policy (1941); Typed talk By Williams titled "The Empire at War" broadcast on the Overseas Services of the BBC 1st January 1940; The Royal Australian Air Force Organization at 31 October 1940; Notes on a paper by Edmund Leolin Piesse and correspondence between Williams and Piesse.

Australian War Memorial, 1938-1972 (File 52) - Box 7

File includes records and correspondence relating to the Australian War memorial including correspondents W.R. Lancaster, A.J. Sweeting, J.McGrath, Group Captain A.D. Charlton, Group Captain W.N. Lampe (1962-1972) plus a list of members of the Australian Flying Corp who died in service in World War I (1938).

Miscellaneous, 1924-1946 (File 53) - Box 7

File includes typed speech 'What Aviation Means to the Empire" (n.d.); Transcript of broadcast by Williams on 27 July 1946 on Air Transport in Australia (4 copies); Invitations to functions (1943-1945); 1945 United Nations Conference name tag; Records relating Aero Clubs in Australia (n.d.); records relating to funds available for Air Services (1924/25); Official statement of the agreement between Australia and New Zealand 1944 from the Australian News and Information Bureau; Novelty gift.

Miscellaneous, 1941-1972 (File 54) - Box 7

File contains primarily newspaper cuttings and journal articles from the 1960's and 1970's in addition to some items of correspondence, a copy of Wings Journal from August 1964, a copy of GEN, volume 25, No;3 May 1970.

Miscellaneous, 1935-1955 (File 55) - Box 7

File contains records and correspondence relating to Air Force Liaison Officer in London (1934-1935); handwritten notes on flying in the USA; typed notes of talk on civil aviation (n.d.); notes on aircraft; various handwritten and typed notes on civil aviation; photocopies of 1941 reports on number and roles of home defence squadrons and EATS squadrons.

Series. Awards

Order of the Bath, 1913-1919 (File 45) - Box 6

Includes Williams' Record of Service; Typed article from the Warracknabeal Herald Friday July 4, 1913; Daily Routine orders by Major General Salmond for Palestine Brigade(1919); Certificate from the School of Musketry (1913);Companion of the Order of Bath certificate and printed statutes; Royal Australian Air Force Certificate of Service (1946); Certificate of promotion to Lieutenant, Administrative and Instructional Staff of the Military (1912); Statutes of the Distinguished Service Order; Certificate of promotion to Officer of the Air Force of the Defence Force of the Commonwealth (1924)

Orders of the British Empire, 1917-1954 (File 43a-h) - Folio-Box 8

Correspondence, official documents and printed material relating to Distinguished Service Order (1917), Order of the Nahda (1920), Commander of the Order of the British Empire (1927), Companion of the Order of the Bath (1935) and Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (1954).


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