Hidden voices: in the archives
This exhibition marks our second collaboration with Anglia Ruskin University. Second-year History students worked in groups to find “hidden voices” in our archives: the rich inner worlds of people who have not traditionally been centred in historical narratives.
The items they found range from letters, photographs and diary entries to diagrams, calculations and poems. The students wrote the text of the exhibition, analysing each item’s historical significance.
The exhibition was also created for our 50th Anniversary campaign. This year, we celebrate half a century of preserving a wide range of historic items, such as the ones highlighted here. You can find out more about the events we have planned on our website.
Curators
Chloe Boast, Cerys Brodowski, Owen Grist-Steggall, Archie Jennings, Ria Kaur, Alexandra Lovell, Maisie Martin, Eden McGee, Brenden McGeough, Liam Mee, Holly Merritt, Charlie Mitchison, Patrick-Ivan Moore, Ollie Newman, Amy Pay, Rebeca Pirjol, Molly Pratt, Ciaran Singleton, Mitch Tabbinor, Ahmed Tolba, Fred Wood.
Political Women
By group 2: Chloe Boast, Rebecca Pirjol, Alexandra Lovell and Amy Pay
Prior to the 19th century, Parliament was known as "the boys’ club," where men displayed their authority and power. Nonetheless, by 1935, Parliament had 26 female members, all of whom are shown and identified below. It is due to the efforts of courageous, outspoken women who battled to give women a voice and to enable them to be heard amongst the arrogant males of the time, that we now have rights that women prior to the 21st century did not. Without these inspiring women who fought tirelessly for women's rights, there would be no women in parliament or other jobs that were previously considered "for men only."
Twenty-five women parliamentarians, past and present, on the House of Commons Terrace after attending a luncheon to celebrate Nancy Astor’s 25th anniversary as an MP, 1944. Papers of Florence Horsbrugh, HSBR 3/9.
Standing (left to right): Lady Terrington, Miss Irene Ward, Mrs Wright, the Duchess of Atholl, Mrs Runge, Mrs Mavis Tate, the Countess of Iveagh, Mrs Thelma Cazalet Keir, Mrs Sarah Ward, Mrs Copeland, Viscountess Davidson, Mrs Leah Manning, Lady Noel-Buxton, Miss Florence Horsbrugh, Miss D Jewson, Viscountess Runciman, Dr Edith Summerskill (with her mother) and Mrs J L Adamson. Seated (left to right): Miss Picton-Turbervill, Miss Megan Lloyd-George, Mrs Wintringham, Lady Astor, Miss Margaret Bondfield, Miss Eleanor Rathbone and Miss Mary Hamilton.
When the Labour Party returned to power in 1929 to establish its second minority government, the number of Labour women MPs more than doubled from four to nine. These nine women refused to settle for the bare minimum in regards to what it meant to be a woman, and their rights! They worked tirelessly for a better world, one that was as inclusive for the female gender as it was for the male. These women stood up for every single female past, present and future, they hoped for a better world for females all over the world.
Scrapbook of the Labour MP Mary Agnes Hamilton, HMTN 2/1
Virginia Mary Crawford writing in The Catholic Citizen where she advocated for women’s rights and discussed various social and moral issues, including the rights of unmarried mothers and their children. As a suffragist and women’s rights advocate, Virginia Mary Crawford played a significant role in the fight for gender equality and the advancement of women’s rights in Britain during the early 20th century. Her dedication to the cause of women’s rights and her activism helped pave the way for greater gender equality and women’s empowerment in the United Kingdom.
During the late 1920s, the feminist movement was gaining global momentum, and Virginia Mary Crawford, known for her activism as a suffragist and advocate for women's rights, actively participated in international feminist activities and events in 1929, such as the International Council of Women (ICW) and the Jubilee Congress of the International Alliance of Women (IAW). She was recognized as a prominent figure in the British suffragette movement and collaborated with feminists from different countries, exchanging ideas and advocating for gender equality on a global scale.
Papers of Virginia Mary Crawford, REND 12/11/2
Emotions, Alliances, and Status of Soldiers during the World Wars
By group 1: Ria Kaur, Maisie Martin, Liam Mee, Ollie Newman and Ciaran Singleton
Bickersteth family war diaries for the Second World War
Spanning from 1939-1940, Volume 1 and 2 of these family diaries chronicles the accounts of the Bickersteth family during the early years of the Second World War. Reverend Samuel Bickersteth married Ella Bickersteth in 1881 and had 6 sons; Monier, Geoffrey, Julian, John Burgon, Morris, and Ralph – all of whom served in some capacity, demonstrating the patriotism of the Bickersteth family. Collated by ‘Mother’, this extensive collection of diaries, photographs, newspaper clippings, telegrams and letters provide the rare perspective of foreign affairs and conditions at home, whilst demonstrating the emotions and frustrations of real people during the war.
From an account on 2nd August 1940, John Burgon details a discussion with Maurice Hankey regarding the diplomacy and logistics of wartime plans for Britain. Talks of destruction of services and goods like oil and factories, low-tech equipment and military miscommunications demonstrate the dire situation of the war effort and also the status of Bickersteth and Hankey for being in the know, providing a well-rounded view of the war from their perspective.
These volumes discuss the importance of the First World War in the creation of these diaries – ‘almost exactly 25 years after… the outbreak of the second great war on 3rd September 1939 calls for some record of how it affected the family’ – helping understand the origins and purpose behind these diaries. Aiding this, the type-written and retroactive nature of these volumes, makes this a legible and useful tool intended to be read, utilising both hindsight and a curatorial quality.
Churchill Archives Centre, The Bickersteth War Diaries and the Papers of John Burgon Bickersteth, BICK 2/2
Letter from Winston Churchill to Prime Minister David Lloyd George, 25 January 1916
Written in 1916, Winston Churchill addresses Prime Minister David Lloyd George and expresses his interests and concerns regarding the British government and wartime activity. The letters express the political standpoint held by both Churchill and Lloyd George and is particularly highlighted when Churchill states how ‘The Tory dream and intention is a Tory government’, thus showing their opposition to previous policies held by Herbert Asquith’s Liberal government.
The strong foundations of both Churchill and Lloyd George’s friendship are clearly conveyed through the sense of emotion expressed throughout Churchill’s writing as he continually supports and defends Lloyd George’s political actions. He states how David Lloyd George’s government provides a new alternative which is beneficial to British politics and how credit is being given to the wrong people within parliament, thus it is evident that Churchill had dedicated his support to Lloyd George’s government.
The regularity of correspondences only furthers the indication of support, with Churchill also speaking about vulnerabilities of Britain from a governmental standpoint regarding military conflict. The letters express a sense of familiarity through the use of sarcasm from Churchill as he states his opinion on the conflict involving British forces and his frustrations as a result of both him and Lloyd George not having their way. He believed that if they had had their way, the face of the war had changed and that the current approaches to conflict were wasteful rather than strengthening to Britain. These letters help display how differing statuses impacted experiences during war.
Churchill Archives Centre, The Papers of Sir Winston Churchill, CHAR 2/71/1-3. Reproduced with permission of Curtis Brown, London on behalf of The Estate of Winston S. Churchill © The Estate of Winston S. Churchill
Letters from William Slim to Philip Pratt, 1914-1918
In the handwritten accounts from Lord William Slim, you can see the prevalence of British humour and wit shining through the hardships in which he faces. It can be used to help understand the mentality of the British ‘Tommy’ and where that pluck and courage they are associated with comes from. These personal letters offer a deep insight into the feelings of the soldier on the frontline and the emotion that comes with it.
Starting in 1914, Slim writes home to his friend Philip Pratt, he details the equipment used by his soldiers - or more precisely lack of equipment used, as well as the issues they faced with weather. Slim's humour soon begins to show, sarcastically stating that his soldiers were thankful to the Germans at Christmas for giving them the opportunity to have the ‘best do they have ever had’ despite their disappointment at not being home to celebrate with their families.
By September 1915, Slim writes home from the sick officers’ quarters, after finally seeing some real war he was shot, yet jokingly signs off his letter ‘yours slightly damaged, Will’. Upon leaving the hospital he was declared permanently disabled yet fit for active service in three months, he claimed it was ‘rather an amusing conclusion reached by a fat headed old colonel!’. His charm and humour continue to prevail through wartime in his letters to his friend.
Churchill Archives Centre, SLIM 1/1
Sir Charles Bonham Carter’s First World War diaries
BHCT 1/1- Diary of Sir Charles Bonham Carter, 1914-15
BHCT 1/2- Diary of Sir Charles Bonham Carter, 1918
Carter’s first diary depicts his day-to-day life at the start of the First World War, beginning in late 1914 and stretching into 1915. His tasks during this stage of the war contrast drastically to those he had in its latter stages, seen in his diary of 1918. It depicts the change in responsibility and roles of soldiers during the war.
On the 12th of November 1914 he arrived at Havré and settled ‘fairly comfortably’, completing marches each morning. By the 26th he had moved to Dranouter, stationed in a reserve trench, and being burdened with trench digging through the nights. On the 4th of December, Carter writes of artillery fire aimed at the German trenches, however, later finds out it was a salute to the king who was present. This is an example of the poor communications to the frontline that was prevalent throughout the war. The diary continues to outline the more basic tasks Carter adhered to, though gradually moved onto more advanced work, looking into the history of fighting at Neuve Chapelle and drawing maps to help with this.
In his second diary his tasks became even further advanced, most of the days consisting of ‘office’ with very few breaks, mainly for meetings or to hold talks with the First Army school. The stark difference in his role shows Carter's ascendance in importance during the war and illustrates how differently the war was experienced depending on the role of the soldier.
Churchill Archives Centre, The Papers of General Sir Charles Bonham-Carter, BHCT 1/1
Left behind, the emotions and treatment of a British Prisoner of War during the Second World War
Montgomery Belgion’s pocket diary for 1941
(Harold) Montgomery Belgion accounts his time as a British Prisoner of War (POW) during the initial stages of the Second World War. His collection of four pocket diaries provides a unique perspective into the Greek campaign, an often-overlooked theatre of the war. Initially the Allied Forces saw success against the invading Axis Powers, however the tide quickly turned when the Italians received fresh support from Germany. When the Greek army surrendered the British forces found themselves in a hasty retreat, isolated in key cities and strategic points. Those who did not flee to the island of Crete were taken prisoner.
On 28th April 1941, Belgion was taken prisoner and depicts the day-to-day events of his imprisonment. As a British POW he was treated relatively well by German troops, initially slept in open air camps, but this soon changed to proper prison facilities by the 29th where he was moved to a Greek barracks. Belgion portrays the emotion of embarrassment profoundly in his writings; an emotion of which most likely ran through all the ranks of the British army during the Greek campaign and peaked at an all-time high when he watched the German victory march through Athens.
The pocket diaries show the human side of conflict, especially the importance of holding onto a shilling of everyday life. This is a useful tool for its personal take on the Second World War, bypassing a previous fixation on writing and reports of big commanding generals and considering the overlooked soldiers’ significance for war outcomes.
Churchill Archives Centre, The Papers of (Harold) Montgomery Belgion, BLGN 12/1/2
Montgomery Belgion’s pocket diary for 1942
The Montgomery Belgion pocket diaries are a great example of diaries providing an insight into the lives led by soldiers and Prisoners of War (POWs), displaying his daily activities during the Second World War and to his eventual imprisonment in Western Germany. These pocket diaries provide surprising revelations into the relatively good conditions that were experienced by Montgomery and fellow POWs. It displays the Germans’ liberal nature across the 2 camps, allowing Montgomery and other POWs to listen to music such as Don Giovanni by Mozart, watch films, and entertain themselves. This portrays the true nature of these POW camps, being more relaxed than many would have thought and allows the reader to understand the human nature of the guards. This is also reflected in the German guards allowing them to celebrate Christmas in 1942, providing a full Christmas dinner as well as supper, proving the quality of life that was experienced at Oflag IXA, a German POW camp in Spangenberg Castle, exceeded the expectations of many.
The diaries also highlight the near daily walks Montgomery was allowed to go on with other prisoners, as well as several instances of being able to play sports. This, including the dental and hospital healthcare the POWs experienced, portrays the good treatment that the Germans provided them; ensuring their health was good and subsequently demonstrating both the experiences and emotional intricacies of the World Wars.
Churchill Archives Centre, The Papers of (Harold) Montgomery Belgion, BLGN 12/1/3
Mavis Batey née Lever
(1921-2013)
By group 3: Holly Merritt, Eden McGee, Fred Wood and Mitch Tabbinor
“I was concentrating on German romantics and then I realised the German romantics would soon be overhead and I thought well, I really ought to do something better for the war effort.”
Mavis Batey’s education and tenacity had set her in good stead to provide a significant contribution to British wartime intelligence. Through the successful decryption of military correspondence of the Italian Navy, Batey alongside a larger team of women, had proven to be pivotal in the outcome of the Second World War. Whilst her contributions have not been left unspoken nor downplayed in the historical writing pertaining to the period, Batey’s role at Bletchley Park has unfortunately been reduced to a passing mention; buried beneath the endless historical canon of WW2.
It is through the presentation of these archival materials that Mavis Batey, MBE receives her deserved spotlight.
Bletchley Park was the grounds where many codes were broken, it is known as the place where the war was won. Everyone is familiar with Bletchley breaking the Enigma code and many other important German codes. It is less known that Italian Naval codes were also broken here by the team of code breakers. The breaking of the Italian code was key in winning the Battle of Matapan in 1941 and the ultimate defeat of Italy in 1943.
At Bletchley Park, Mavis was a member of the team known as ‘Dilly’s girls,’ they worked under Alfred Dillwyn ‘Dilly’ Knox (1884-1943) who was a leading male code breaker and had requested an all-female team. Many women worked on code breaking but few were seen as equals to their male counterparts. For example, Mavis’ husband Keith Batey was a leading code breaker while Mavis was one of ‘Dilly's girls’.
The image shows Mavis’ work in the code breaking. It shows her notes on the cipher and her conclusion on what the code translates to. The progress is seen in the notes of her discovering small parts of words and phrases and using at the top a cipher to break the code.
Churchill Archives Centre, The Papers of Mavis Batey, BTEY 3/2
This farewell letter was written by Dilly Knox, the lead of Mavis Batey’s team, in which he thanked his team for their loyalty. Within the letter, he writes that the distinction between ‘research cryptography’ and ‘cipher and intelligence work’ was not recognised by ‘A. G. D’ [Commander Alexander ‘Alastair’ Guthrie Denniston (1881-1961)] and points out the difficulty of not having precise knowledge about what they were trying to decipher. The lack of transparency undermined the effectiveness of the team. The relationships between the teams at Bletchley Park is also described in the letter, highlighting the internal conflict and a reluctance to cooperate.
The main paragraph finishes using Latin to describe the team's involvement as ‘gold unfound and so the better placed’. The letter concludes by wishing for the continuation of ‘the Cottage’, Knox’s section at Bletchley Park, in a new form, although he compares future works to not being as important as what they achieved. Overall, this letter highlights the importance of Mavis Batey and the team’s work at Bletchley: they were ahead of their time.
Churchill Archives Centre, The Papers of Mavis Batey, BTEY 2
Pictured left is a poem written by Dilly Knox titled ‘Swollen Heads’. The poem was written following Britain’s success at the Battle of Matapan and serves to give credit to ‘Dilly’s girls’; Mavis’s dedication features in the former half of the poem.
“When Cunningham won at Matapan
By the grace of God and Mavis
Nigro Simillima cygno est, praise Heaven
A very rara avis.”
The Latin that Knox uses in the 3rd and 4th stanza denotes that of a rare bird, one that is unique in nature and has the resemblance of a black swan. Knox acknowledges Mavis’ uniqueness and exceptionalism. This description of Mavis is emphasised equally by the poem’s protagonist, Admiral Andrew Cunningham (1883-1963). Following the Battle of Matapan, Cunningham broke the impartiality traditionally kept between the military and intelligence organizations by appearing at Bletchley Park to give personal thanks to the team of code breakers on their success. Cunningham maintained that the ‘great victory’ of Matapan was ‘entirely due to his [Dilly Knox’s] girls’. The credence given to Mavis and the rest of ‘Dilly’s girls’ was deserved, Mavis had all but single-handedly cracked the Italian Enigma code, allowing Knox to inform the Royal Navy that there was to be an Italian assault on one of their convoy ships. A piece of intelligence that proved crucial for naval operations. At a mere 19 years of age, the description ‘rara avis’ is undoubtedly fitting.
Churchill Archives Centre, The Papers of Mavis Batey, BTEY 3/6
The Suffrage Movement in Else Headlam-Morley’s Papers
Group 4 decided to to highlight items which display women’s roles in early 20th century history from the collection of Elisabeth 'Else’ Headlam-Morley, the pianist, composer, and suffrage campaigner:
Unfortunately, it is no secret that women have been underrepresented throughout history. We believe that the suffrage movement was one of history's most important examples of social activism and will forever echo throughout history. For many women, the story of the suffragette and feminist movements is empowering to learn about, as campaigners rejected the restraints of a patriarchal society. Suffragettes challenged traditional narratives that often excluded and marginalised the female experience. It is imperative to recognise and showcase suffrage history, as a way of inspiring and educating further generations, and create a more complete, nuanced and gender-accurate understanding of the past.
Branching outwards from this, when discussing history (including feminist history) there is a firm focus on the main “figureheads” of a movement. It is important to also highlight the people who contributed behind the scenes, who are often forgotten about. The Churchill Archives Centre possesses key material relating to the suffrage movement and the women involved, which we believe is essential to display, to shine light onto some of the less well-known figures of the twentieth century.
By group 4: Molly Pratt, Archie Jennings, Cerys Brodowski, Charlie Mitchison and Owen Grist-Steggall
This document concerns General Flora Drummond’s “Women’s Procession” which took place on 17th June 1911. This grand spectacle aimed to rival the Coronation procession of George V and Mary taking place a week later, which had been billed as a spectacle of “manhood and empire”.
With the growth of feminism and women calling for female suffrage, over 40,000 women from different suffrage societies and walks of life, attended the event, working towards a common goal. Women from across the British empire attended, with representatives from India wearing traditional clothing.
Historical pageantry was also used, as women dressed as prominent female figures from the past, such as Joan of Arc, Boudicca, Mary Queen of Scots, and Elizabeth I. By highlighting historical female political and religious figures, campaigners called into question contemporary women’s exclusion from politics.
This document highlights how important the right to vote was for women from across the empire. The women’s procession of June 1911 may not be as well-known as Emily Davidson pinning a rosette on the King's horse, or hiding in Parliament on census night, but it is an important part of the story of how women gained the vote in Britain.
Churchill Archives Centre, The Papers of Sir James Headlam-Morley, HDLM 2/2/17, file 1 of 3, 1911-12
This document is the official programme of the Great Suffragette Demonstration in Hyde Park, July 1912. The programme is a remarkable document that offers a fascinating insight into the planning and execution of the demonstration, which was organised by the Women's Social and Political Union (WSPU), led by Emmeline Pankhurst and her daughters Christabel and Sylvia. As seen on the front, the march took place on the 14th July, commemorating the leader Emmeline’s birthday.
The programme contains detailed information about the day's events, including the route of the march towards Hyde Park, the order of speakers, and the different sections allocated to the participants. It also includes instructions on the distribution of leaflets and the sale of WSPU merchandise.
The programme and the march itself carry specific significance as this event marked a turning point in the suffrage movement. The march was one of the biggest events in suffrage history, with over 50,000 people attending, drawing a large amount of attention and placing women’s suffrage at the forefront of public consciousness. The march also marked a shift in the tactics used by the suffragettes, with this being one of the first instances of violent clashes between the police and protesters.
Churchill Archives Centre, The Papers of Sir James Headlam-Morley, HDLM 2/2/17, file 2 of 3
The documents below are a pamphlet for the Women’s Tax Resistance League, containing information given by Mrs Ethel Ayres Purdie.
Ethel born in Islington, London was considered an income tax expert due to her education in accountancy. She studied accountancy after her marriage to Frank Sidney Purdie, at the Society of Arts. Ethel would then open her own accountancy firm, named The Women’s Taxpayer’s agency. And in 1909, she would become the first registered female accountant in the United Kingdom by joining the London Association of Accountants.
(scroll using the arrow keys to see the full pamphlet)
The aim of this pamphlet was to encourage women to not pay taxes, as without the vote, they would not be considered citizens, and non-citizens should not be paying taxes. The pamphlet explains several ways in which these ploys could be used to hinder the government.
The pamphlet acknowledges that with no goods or property, it was possible that the resister herself may be arrested, but states it was very unlikely the police were willing to follow through with this threat, encouraging people to stand against the government.
The fact that this piece was written by a woman was important for the development of the suffrage movement. It shows that many women were educated and up to the task at hand. Many were willing to put their lives on the line. Even those that were married and comfortable in their positions were encouraged to help. This is one of the many reasons why the suffrage movement was a success.
Churchill Archives Centre, The Papers of Sir James Headlam-Morley, HDLM 2/2/19
Hidden Voices: Forgotten Conservative Views
By group 5: Brendan McGeough, Patrick-Ivan Moore and Ahmed Tolba
Churchill Archives Centre, The Papers of Mark Abrams, ABMS 3/168 Race Relations Survey 1968 pg59
This survey was conducted by Abrams on behalf of the National Survey of Race Relations in 1968.
Abrams assessed the white population in five different regions and areas.
They contacted white respondents and posed several questions.
Respondents reported that when considering if the presence of non-white people is a significant problem for their family, it did not make a difference whether or not the respondent had any regular contact with non-whites.
Around 25% of respondents considered non-white presence in the UK a very important or quite important problem for their family.
This suggests that in 1968 a significant proportion of the population considered non-white immigration a personal problem. This is reflected in the letters sent to MP Duncan Sandys which we discuss below.
Despite respondents aged over 40 being more likely to have served in the armed forces alongside people of colour in the British Armed Forces or to have worked in Imperial administration, they were highly concerned with the non-white presence.
Despite these view on race, Britain in the 1960s saw an influx of migration from the Commonwealth.
Newly independent countries flocked to the old colonial power to find new opportunities, and sometimes escape persecution. Kenya’s journey to independence was, to everyone’s surprise, an easy transition. A conservative white Briton leaving Kenya following independence lamented to MP Duncan Sandys that the Wilson government was “running Britain down to sewage level” internationally. The Kenyan government gave precedence to the black population, unlike the British colonial administration. In this writer’s eyes the Kenyan government saw that their ‘kith and kin had the same priority. This may suggest were the conservative ethno-nationalist view in the survey above stem from. The last remnants of imperial chauvinism were conspicuously evident in British politics in the 1960s as British Imperialism began to crumble before their very eyes.
Churchill Archives Centre, The Papers of Lord Duncan-Sandys, DSND 13/20 Correspondence relating to immigration (mostly from members of the public), 1966-1969
In another letter written to written to Duncan Sandys, most likely with the intention to bring more action and attention in relation towards immigrants. We are given some figures of the immigrant population within some communities, directly comparing the numbers of immigrants with the number of white Britons. The source holds particular value as it was composed a mere 6 months prior to Enoch Powell’s famous Rivers of Blood speech
Churchill Archives Centre, The Papers of Lord Duncan-Sandys, DSND 13/20 Correspondence relating to immigration (mostly from members of the public), 1966-1969
Birmingham is mentioned as having a severe influx of immigrants, which is coincidentally where Powell delivered the famous speech. This may suggest why Powell garners such support there. The second point in the letter is critical of the potential extension of the 1965 Race Relations Act which suggests that the government are allowing more immigrants entry into Britain in order to win more votes, suggesting conservatives felt unrepresented or unheard in their opposition to non-white immigration.