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

Including copies of letters sent to:

Lieutenant Colonel R. M. Dawes, “Action”: Action Press Ltd (BUF) (A8/1), concerning arrangements for delivery of personal copy of “Action”.

Sanctuary Press Ltd, BUF (A8/2)

Advertising Manager, “Action”: Action Press Ltd (BUF) (A8/3), regarding announcement in “Action” to Yeovil area members (March 1940)

Box No. 856 (A8/4)

A. Raven Thomson, Editor (A8/5-7). Including references to legality of dismissal of member of W.A.F.S. from job after call-up (December 1939) (5) and controversial advertiser in “Action” (August 1939) (7)

A. H. Alcock (A8/8-9), concerning membership (July-August 1939)

B. Andrews (A8/10), concerning membership (July 1939)

L. Attwool (A8/11), concerning membership (August 1939)

J. Barron (A8/12), membership (August 1939)

Henry Job Hansford Bartlett, Polling District Leader, Burton Bradstock, BU (A8/13-15), regarding lapsed membership (January-February 1940)

Mrs Eva M. Brewer (A8/16) regarding the death of Albert Brewer (April 1944)

Albert Brewer (A8/17), A.D.L. (Sales), Dorset West, BU (A8/17), concerning Miss Hayes meetings at Broadmayne and West Knighton on 29 June 1939 and forthcoming Mosley meeting at Earls Court on 16 July 1939.

“The Bridport News” (A8/18-19), concerns replies to Sir Philip Colfox over war with Germany and “Mind Britain’s Business” policy (October-November 1939)

Bridport Drill Hall (A8/20)

W. Brown (A8/21), concerning membership (August 1939)

Eric A. Burch (A8/22-24). Includes references to local activities in Dorset West, an account of Mosley meeting at Poole on 10 March 1940 and the effect of the war on membership elsewhere (22); thoughts on the outbreak of war and opportunities for BU (Oct 1939) (23) and lack of ‘active’ members, number of meetings taken in last year and other activities, Leader’s Conference at Bristol on 2 July 1939, proposed Earl’s Court meeting on 16 July 1939, trouble at local meetings, reduction in N.H.Q. staff, effect of call-up on membership, and increase in “Action” sales (June 1939) (24)

R. T. Chaddock (A8/25), concerning membership (August 1939)

Wilfred A. Clark (A8/26), regarding proposed Earl’s Court meeting on 16 July 1939.

R. O. Clarke (A8/27), concerning membership (August 1939)

Robert Adolphus Cottman (A8/28)

Rafe Temple Cotton, Regional / District Inspector, Devon, / District Leader, Exeter, BU (A8/29-35). Includes references to Cotton meeting at Dorchester on 14 April 1940 (29-30) and Saunders’ thoughts on the outbreak of the Second World War (September 1939) (31)

John Stuart Hay Dale (A8/36-40). Includes references to his resignation (May 1940) (36); Mosley meeting at Bournemouth on 26 May 1940 (38); membership (February 1940) (39-40) and Hugh Ross Williamson and Miss Hayes meeting at Poole on 11 February 1940 (40)

Dorchester Town Clerk (A8/41-44)

“Dorset County Chronicle” (A8/45-46). Includes a statement by Ralph Jebb on BU attitude to the Second World War (November 1939) (45); letter by Saunders advocating “Mind Britain’s Business” policy (October 1939) (46) and response to letter regarding a meeting of the Dorchester Debating Society (February 1939) (46)

“Dorset Daily Echo” (A8/47-52). Includes draft adverts for ‘Mosley’s Peace Policy’ meetings at Maumbury Rings, Dorset on 5 and 26 November 1939, 14 April 1940 (48, 50-1); response to article equating the black shirt with a worship of force (March 1940) (49); letter regarding Sir Philip Colfox speech on Japanese behaviour to English people [also to other local newspapers] (July 1939) (52) and House of Commons debate on the lack of press reporting of Mosley speeches and meetings (February 1939) (52)

H.C. Dowell (A8/53), concerning membership (August 1939)

R. Edmonds (A8/54-56), concerning membership (June 1939)

H. John Forward, District Leader, Exeter, BU (A8/57-58)

Fowler Newsagent (A8/59), regarding proposed advertising of newsagents who stock “Action” (March 1940)

J. Frain (A8/60), concerning membership (August 1939)