Correspondence received by Robert Saunders, during his time as the District Leader of the Dorset West District of the British Union (BU).

Including letters from:

Mrs Barbara Lambert (A4/115)

G. Lambert, member of Shoreditch Branch and a serving soldier (A4/116)

Miss Vivien Leather (A4/117). Includes references to people’s interest in Mosley’s ideas but reluctance to be associated with Fascism (May [1939])

Liberal Hall, Dorchester (A4/118)

Henry Ling Ltd., Dorchester (A4/119-120)

E. Major (A4/121)

Miss Kathleen Marston, Secretary to H. G. McKechnie, National Meetings Organiser, BU (A4/122-124). Including references to attendance at local UM camp in August 1939 (122); proposed Mosley meeting at Bridport, Autumn 1939 (May-June 1939) (123-124); Leader’s meeting at Dorchester on 10 March 1939 (January 1939) (124A)

John S. Murray, District Leader, Yeovil, BU (A4/125), concerning his resignation due to the War (February 1940)

National Socialist League (A4/126), concerning relocation of Headquarters, and Public Meeting against alliance with U.S.S.R. with William Joyce as Chief Speaker on 4 July 1939.

Independent Order of Odd Fellows (A4/127)

[Organisation BU]

“Keep Britain Out” Campaign leaflet [n.d.] (A4/128)

Mosley’s arrest (Speakers Notes) [May 1940] (A4/129)

Circular letter addressed, ‘To All Districts’ and titled ‘Emergency Instructions No. 1’ (A4/131), with message “carry on as usual” (27 May 1940)

Circular letter addressed, ‘To All Districts and members of the British Union’ and titled, ‘Emergency Instructions No. 2’ (A4/130), regarding the sale of “Action” [May 1940]

James L. Shepherd, Business Manager Sanctuary Press Ltd (A4/132-133, 141). Includes references to economies in newsprint and warning over legal problems regarding local posters (132-133) and the withdrawal of two pamphlets (141)

Corporate Publicity Co. Ltd (A4/141A-B). Leaflets titled, “The Capitalist Wolf” [1940] (141A) and “The Dream That Came True” [1940] (141B)

B. D. E. Donovan, Assistant Director-General (A), Department of Organisation Administration (A4/134-137, 139, 144, 151-155, 170). Including references to May Day Sunday campaign on 5 May 1940 (134); “Keep Britain Out” (1 September 1939) (151); Mosley article in “Action” over Poland crisis, 23 August 1939 (153); police action over leaflet and “Action” sales in Weymouth (August 1939) (155) and street sales campaign of 4th edition of “Tomorrow We Live” (February 1939) (170)

Silvertown By-Election Result (23 February 1940) (A4/138)

Ernest G. Clarke, Propaganda Administrator (A4/140), concerning the British Peace Campaign (January 1940)

H. G. McKechnie, Administrator, Reception and Enrolments (A4/142)

N. Francis-Hawkins, Director-General, Department of Organisation Administration (A4/143, 148-149), relating to Dorset police action over leaflets (October 1939) (143); rumoured banning of BU (6 September 1939) (148); preparations should present local leader cease to be available (4 September 1939) (149)

P. G. Taylor, Industrial Adviser (A4/145, 161), concerning G. T. Wiltshire and establishment of BU industrial branch (May 1939)

Miss M. Swinton (A4/146-147)

Sir Oswald Ernald Mosley (A4/150). Circular including “Mosley’s Message to All British Union Members” on outbreak of War (1 September 1939)

Lieutenant Colonel C. S. Sharpe, Assistant Director-General (G), Department of Organisation (A4/156-157), concerning Saunders to attend Leader’s Conference in Bristol on 2 July 1939 (156) and BU rules regarding members of forces (June 1939) (157)

W. Risdon, Chief Agent / Propaganda Administrator (A4/158, 162-164, 166-167). Includes letter to Miss V. Leather regarding Agent’s Correspondence Course (May 1939) (158); Saunders suggested as General Election Agent in 1939 (May 1939) (166); Saunders recommended to be Speaker Grade V (May 1939) (167)

J. Sutherland, Contact Administrator (A4/159), concerning potential member (R. Edmunds) (May 1939)

A. C. Findley, Accountant (A4/160)

U. A. Hick, Senior Administrator (A4/165, 169). Includes references to Order of March on May Day Rally on 7 May 1939 (165) and notice of May Day Rally “For Peace and People” (April 1939) (169).

G. J. Sutton, Director of Research, Research Department (Press Propaganda) (A4/168A), relating to local press propaganda campaign by Districts (April 1939)