Guide to the Records of the Cabinet Office (as filmed by the AJCP)
Cab
National Library of Australia View Catalogue Record
Collection Summary
- Creator
- Cabinet Office. Great Britain.
- Title
- Records of the Cabinet Office (as filmed by the AJCP)
- Date Range
- 1902 - 1952
- Collection Number
- Cab
- Extent
- 36 items
- Language of Materials
- English
- Repository
- Australian Joint Copying Project
- Sponsor
- The Australian Joint Copying Project (AJCP) online portal was created with the assistance of the Australian Public Service Modernisation Fund, 2017-2020. The National Library of Australia gratefully acknowledges the contributions of the other foundation AJCP partners, the State Library of New South Wales and The National Archives of the UK, and all other organisations which supported the work of the AJCP, the world's most extensive collaborative copying project, operating from 1948 to 1997.
Introduction
Scope and Contents
Records of the Cabinet Office selectively copied by the AJCP include: registered files relating to defence schemes (Malaya); photographic copies of Cabinet Papers and Commowealth and international conferences relating to a visit by Prime Minister R G Menzies to the United Kingdom.
Conditions Governing Access
Available for Access.
Conditions Governing Use
Many of the records digitised as part of the AJCP are still in copyright. Readers wishing to publish or reproduce documents should seek permission, in the first instance, from the National Archives of the UK. Further advice is available from: The National Archives of the UK. Copyright (http://nationalarchives.gov.uk/legal/copyright/)
Preferred Citation
Acknowledgement of use of this material should refer to the location of the original material (The National Archives of the UK) and to the Australian Joint Copying Project.
Citation of items from this collection should include references to the location of the original material at the National Archives of the UK and to the AJCP nla.obj number, which serves as the online identifier for the digital copy.
Example: TNA Series: CO 201/429, New South Wales. Original Correspondence. Despatches May-June 1850 (AJCP ref: http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-1234)
Further information on citation guidelines is available at The National Archives of the UK (http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/help-with-your-research/citing-documents-national-archives/ ).
Archival History
Material selectively filmed as part of the Australian Joint Copying Project. AJCP Reels: 5882, 6318-6320, 6092, 7073.
Original microfilm digitised as part of the AJCP Online Delivery Project, 2017-2020.
Existence and Location of Originals
The National Archives of the UK (TNA).
Series Reference: Cab. For further information, see Cabinet Office at TNA (http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C44)
Existence and Location of Copies
The original AJCP microfilm of the records filmed from this collection is available at the National Library of Australia (https://nla.gov.au/nla.cat-vn7833980) as well as other institutions holding AJCP microfilm.
Digitised copies of this material may be available from The National Archives of the UK (TNA). Series within this Collection available online: CAB 21, CAB 63
For more information see: TNA Digital Microfilm Records
Finding Aid Note
Dates used in this finding aid refer to the date range of the records selected for filming by the AJCP rather than to the date range of the original Series or File.
This online finding aid, published by the National Library of Australia in 2018, is a revised version of the original paper handbooks: Australian Joint Copying Project. Handbook 6. Public Record Office: Air Ministry, Board of Trade, Exchequer and Audit Department, Treasury and other Record Groups, Second Edition, pp xiv, 55-57, National Library of Australia, 1995.
Subjects
Great Britain: Cabinet Office
Bibliography
Originally published as:
Australian Joint Copying Project. Handbook Part 6. Public Record Office: Air Ministry, Board of Trade, Exchequer and Audit Department, Treasury and other Record Groups, Second Edition, National Library of Australia, reprinted 1995.
Administrative History
The Committee of Imperial Defence was set up in 1902 as an advisory body to assist in the formulation of defence policy and to ensure the coordination of military, naval and civil authorities in time of war. It acquired a permanent secretariat in 1904.
Following the creation of the War Cabinet in December 1916, the Secretariat, headed by Sir Maurice Hankey, was placed at its disposal. In 1919 the Secretariat was reorganised into two branches—Home Affairs; and Imperial, External Affairs and Defence—both headed by Hankey.
The Cabinet Office has always been responsible for preparing agenda, circulating papers, keeping minutes and sending extracts from the minutes to the relevant departments.
Item Descriptions
Series Cab 21. Cabinet Office. Registered files (1916-1935)
1 itemCorrespondence, memoranda and other papers relating to the Defence Schemes Malaya.
The Australian Joint Copying Project filmed only piece 2625 relating to defence schemes (Malaya).
Existence and Location of Originals
The National Archives of the UK (TNA).
Series Reference: Cab 21. For further information, see Cab 21 at TNA. (http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C3828)
Subjects
Malaya
Series Cab 37. Cabinet Office. Photographic copies of Cabinet papers, 1902
1 itemPhotographic copies of memoranda circulated to the Cabinet to the end of 1916 compiled from various official and private sources.
The Australian Joint Copying Project selectively filmed Piece 60 relating to J Kay and Bushveldt Carbineer.
Existence and Location of Originals
The National Archives of the UK (TNA).
Series Reference: Cab 37. For further information, see Cab 37 at TNA. (http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C3844)
Subjects
Australian Light Horse Brigade; Bushveldt Carbineers; Second Boer War (1899-1902)
Series Cab 63. War Cabinet and Cabinet Office: Lord Hankey Papers, 1915 - 1938
33 itemsCorrespondence and papers accumulated by Lord Hankey during his career in public service which ended in 1942.
Selective material filmed by the Australian Joint Copying Project relates to: Correspondence and memoranda on Dardanelles operations, and Gallipoli campaign, and other memoranda on international conferences prepared for Cabinet, correspondence, papers and diaries of visits to Australia and New Zealand 1934-1935 to discuss defence policy.
The Australian Joint Copying Project filmed only selected extracts from pieces 20, 26, 32, 38, 39, 43, 51 and 53. The remaining items were filmed in their entirety.
Existence and Location of Originals
The National Archives of the UK (TNA).
Series Reference: Cab 63. For further information, see Cab 63 at TNA. (http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C3870)
Subjects
Hankey, Sir Maurice; Diaries; World War I (1914-1918); Turkey, Gallipoli Peninsula; Gallipoli; Dardanelles Operations; Australia: Defence of; New Zealand: Defence of
Biographical / Historical
Sir Maurice Hankey (1877–1963), 1st Baron Hankey, (created 1939). Served in Royal Navy 1895-1908. Assistant Secretary of Committee of Imperial Defence 1908-12, Secretary of the Committee of Imperial Defence 1912–38, Secretary of War Cabinet 1916–19, Secretary of the Cabinet 1919–38, Secretary of British Delegation at 1919 Peace Conference, Secretary of British Delegation to 1921 Washington Conference. Chancellor of Duchy of Lancaster 1940-41, Paymaster General 1941-42.
Subseries CAB 63/4-53 (select). Magnum Opus files, 1915 - 1938
22 items
Correspondence between Lord Fisher and Winston Churchill on Dardanelles operations, January 1915 - May 1915 (File 4. AJCP Reel No:6318)
Letter from Lord Fisher to Hankey sending correspondence with H. Asquith and W.S. Churchill on naval operations at Dardanelles (29pp).
Notes and memoranda prepared for Committee of Imperial Defence, April 1915 - June 1915 (File 5. AJCP Reel No:6318)
Includes memoranda by Hankey on Dardanelles operations and Cabinet papers on military operations written by Hanket, Lord Selborne and Lord Kitchener (159pp).
Notes and memoranda prepared for Prime Minister and Committee of Imperial Defence, July 1915 - August 1915 (File 6. AJCP Reel No:6318)
Includes memorandum by Hankey on his visit to Dardanelles and copies of his letters to A. J. Balfour, Lord Kitchener, Sir Ian Hamilton and Admiral J. de Robeck (98pp).
Letters to Prime Minister and others from Hankey at Gallipoli, July 1915 - August 1915 (File 7. AJCP Reel No:6318)
Copies of letters from Hankey to H. Asquith, A. J. Balfour and Gen. E. Swinton concerning his visit to Dardanelles and the British offensive at Suvla Bay on 6 August 1915 (74pp).
Correspondence and memoranda on Gallipoli campaign, September 1915 - October 1915 (File 8. AJCP Reel No:6318)
Papers concerning strength of Allied forces in Mediterranean, including correspondence with Sir Edward GRey, K. Lyon, Lord Kitchener, and C. Heathcote-Smith.
Correspondence and memoranda on troop strengths in Balkans and Gallipoli, August 1915 - December 1915 (File 9. AJCP Reel No:6318)
Papers mainly concerning Dardanelles, including correspondence with H. Asquith, A. J. Balfour, Lord Selborne, C. Heathcote-Smith and Gen. C. E. Callwell, and report of conversation with Gen. Walker, Commander of 1st Australian Division (56pp).
Correspondence on supply of stores and equipment to Gallipoli, September 1915 - November 1915 (File 10. AJCP Reel No:6318)
Copies of letters from Hankey to H. ASquith, A. J. Balfour, Lord Fisher, S. S. Long and Sir Alfred Keogh concerning supplies for Dardanelles Campaign (12pp).
Memoranda for Prime Minister and Committee of Imperial Defence, September 1915 - October 1915 (File 11. AJCP Reel No:6318)
Papers concerning the Dardanelles Campaign, including a memorandum by Hankey on preparations for a winter campaign and correspondence with H. Asquith, Sir William Birdwood, Gen. C. Callwell and Admiral R. J. B. Keyes (177pp).
Memoranda for Prime Minister and Committee of Imperial Defence, November 1915 - December 1915 (File 12. AJCP Reel No:6318)
Papers concerning the War and the Dardanelles Campaign, including a memorandum by Hankey on future military policy at the Dardanelles and correspondence with H. Asquith and A. J. Balfour (55pp).
Dardanelles Commission: memoranda produced as evidence, 1915 - 1916 (File 17. AJCP Reel No:6318)
Papers mainly concerning Dardanelles Campaign, including manuscript on origin and initiation of Joint Naval and Military Attack on Dardanelles on 25 April 1915 (159pp).
Dardanelles Commission: memoranda and notes, 1916 (File 18. AJCP Reel No:6318)
Papers concerning Dardanelles Campaign, including memorandum and evidence of Hankey to Dardanelles Commission (180pp).
Memoranda prepared for War Cabinet, January 1917 - March 1917 (File 20. AJCP Reel No:6318)
f.70. 17 May 1917 - Note by Hankey on question of communicating documents to Australian Prime Minister.
Memoranda prepared for Cabinet, January 1920 - March 1920 (File 26. AJCP Reel No:6318)
Items of interest include:
f.4. 6 January 1920 - Note by Hankey on communications between League of Nations and self-governing Dominions.
Memoranda prepared for Cabinet, January 1921 - July 1921 (File 31. AJCP Reel No:6318)
Includes letters of Hankey to A. J. Balfour, D. Lloyd Gorge and Lord Curzon concerning mandates, capital ships, Hankey's involvement in Yap incident at 1919 Peace Conference, proposals of Meighanon Dominions and foreign policy and cipher communications with Dominions (121pp).
Memoranda prepared for Cabinet, January 1922 - September 1922 (File 32. AJCP Reel No:6318)
Items of interest include:
ff.62-67 22 March 1922: Hankey to Sir Alfred Mond: summary of results of Washinton Conference.
Washington Conference, 1921 - 1922 (File 34. AJCP Reel No:6319)
Correspondence of Hankey with D. Lloyd George, Lord Curzon, Sir Auckland Geddes, E. Grigg and T. Jones concerning Washington Conference, including references to Singapore and Hawaii naval bases, A. J. Balfour, Lord Beatty, Admiral E. Chatfield, G. F. Pearce and Sir John Salmond (155pp).
Memoranda prepared for Cabinet, 1926 (File 38. AJCP Reel No:6319)
Items of interest include:
ff.153-56A, March 1930: Correspondence between Hankey and Sir Edward Harding on account of 1926 Balfour Declaration by L.S. Amery.
Memoranda prepared for Cabinet, 1927 (File 39. AJCP Reel No:6319)
Items of interest include:
ff.3-20, 12 January 1927: Hankey to S. Baldwin, sends memorandum prepared for Balfour Family on role of Lord Balfour at 1926 Imperial Conference.
Memoranda prepared for Cabinet, January 1929 - July 1929 (File 41. AJCP Reel No:6319)
Papers concerning circulation of documents to Dominions, belligerent rights and Anglo-American relations (136pp).
Memoranda prepared for Cabinet, 1930 (File 43. AJCP Reel No:6319)
Items of interest include:
ff.95-107, Nov 1930: Memoranda by Hankey and R. B. Howarth and comments by Sir Harry Batterbee on 1930 Imperial Conference.
Memoranda prepared for Cabinet, 1936 (File 51. AJCP Reel No:6319)
Items of interest include:
ff.66-78, 5 March 1936: Notes of meeting with High Commissioners at Dominions Office to discuss new British Defence program.
ff.79-86, 20 April 1936: Hankey to R.G. Casey, Hoare Laval Pact; Sir Robert Vansittart; British Foreign policy; S.M. Bruce; Australian trade and manufactures.
Subseries CAB 63/66-67. Visit to Dominions, July 1934 - January 1935
11 items
Correspondence and papers on visit to Australia and New Zealand, July 1934 - January 1935 (File 66. AJCP Reel No:6319)
Includes minutes of meetings with Admiralty, War office and Air Ministry prior to trip and correspondence with S. Baldwin, L. Burgis and Sir Edward Harding. Refers particularly to Australian concern about adequacy of Singapore Naval Base (47pp).
Diary of visit to Dominions, 27 August 1934 - 5 January 1935 (File 67. AJCP Reel No:6319)
The diary is mainly a record of activities, but inclues summaries of discussions. There are reference to Hankey's visits to Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne, Canberra, Sydney, Brisbane, Newcastle and Wellington and to Sir George Pearce, R. G. Menzies, R. A. Parkhill, J. A. Lyons, E. G. Page, M. Shepherd, R. G. CAset, Sir Francis Hyde, J. G. Cobbe and G. W. Forbes (Partly in pencil) (100pp).
Subseries CAB 63/70-76. Visit to Dominions - Australia, 1934
7 items
Visit to Dominions: Australia, 1934 (File 70. AJCP Reel No:6319)
Correspondence concerning tour of Australia and New Zealand, Dec 1933 - April 1935. Papers concerning proposal for Hankey to visit Australia to advise on local defence, conversation with Air Commodore R. Williams, air cooperation in local defence, exchange of civil servants between U.K. and N.S.W., arrangements fpor tour, discussions with Japan on naval armaments, notes on Australian defence, discussions with New Zealand authorities, report by Hankey on political impressions of Australia (37pp), report to Gen. J. Dill on Australian defence matters (20pp) and press reports of tour. Correspondents include S. M. Bruce, R. G. Casey, J. A. Lyons, Sir James Rae, F. Shedden, E. T. Crutchley, R. Williams, Sir Clive Wigram and Sir George Pearce (233pp).
Visit to Dominions: Australia, 1934 (File 71. AJCP Reel No:6319)
Correspondence between Hankey and Sir George Pearce, July-Aug. 1934. There is also a file of papers sent by Pearce, including a memorandum on Australian defence policy (April 1931), remarks by the Australian Chiefs of Staff on C.I.D. Paper 372C, a policy speech of the Minister of Defence (Sept. 1933), explanatory memorandum on the 1933/34 estimates, a reply to the Western Australian Case for Secession referring to the consequences for defence, and notes by the Chief of the Naval Staff on Hankey's visit (June 1934) (144pp).
Visit to Dominions: Australia, 1934 (File 72. AJCP Reel No:6320)
Letter F. Shedden (Melbourne) to Hankey concerning his trip (3 July 1934) and enclosed a paper written at the Imperial Defence College in 1929 on the principles of Imperial defence with special reference to Australia (131pp).
Visit to Dominions: Australia, 1934 (File 73. AJCP Reel No:6320)
Papers concerning Hankey's Australian tour, including 1929-31 report of Munitions Supply Board, minute on the place of the Munitions Supply Board in the Defence organisation, notes on Australian defence and its relation to Imperial defence, list of officers to be met, note by Chief of General Staff on policy and organisation of Australian Military Forces, notes on Royal Australian Navy, memorandum on local defence of Australian ports, notes on Royal Australian Air Force and on civil aviation and memoranda of Chemical Defence Board (120pp).
Visit to Dominions: Australia, 1934 (File 74. AJCP Reel No:6320)
Report by Hankey on aspects of Australian defence (15 Nov. 1934), notes of meeting of Australian Defence Committee attended by Hankey (Oct. - Nov. 1934), paper by Hankey on Higher Organisation for Defence in Australia (7 Nov. 1934), revision of Committee of Imperial Defence Paper 249C on coast defences, and copies of letters of Hankey to Sir Isaac Isaacs, J. A. Lyons, R. A. Parkhill, J. R. MacDonald and M. R. Shepherd (141pp).
Subseries CAB 63/77-78. Visit to Dominions - New Zealand, 1934
2 items
Visit to Dominions: New Zealand, 1934 (File 77. AJCP Reel No:6320)
Correspondence and papers concerning the invitation to Hankey to visit New Zealand, report by Sir. W. Sinclair-Burgess on defence of New Zealand (Aug. 1933), composition of New Zealand Committee of Imperial Defence (Nov. 1933), closer cooperation of Australian and New Zealand Defence Forces, and composition of New Zealand Expeditionary Force. Correspondents include Sir James Parr, Gen. J. Dill and Sir W. Sinclair-Burgess (125pp).
Visit to Dominions: New Zealand, 1934 (File 78. AJCP Reel No:6320)
Roneoed copies of papers given to Hankey by Sir W. Sinclair-Burgess, letters of Hankey to Sir Edward Harding giving impressions of New Zealand and to J. R. MacDonald on discussions on New Zealand defence, notes on proposal that New Zealand should send battalion to Singapore, and letter from G. W. Forbes thanking Hankey for his visit to New Zealand (147pp).
Series Cab 133. Cabinet Office: Commonwealth and International Conferences and Ministerial Visits to and from the UK, May 1952
1 itemMinutes and papers of proceedings of various post-war international conferences and of less formal meetings with representatives of foreign governments.
The Australian Joint Copying Project filmed Piece 127m relating to a visit by Prime Minister R G Menzies to the UK.
Existence and Location of Originals
The National Archives of the UK (TNA).
Series Reference: Cab 133.
For further information, see Cab 133 at TNA.
Subjects
Menzies, Sir Robert Sir